49ers Vs Falcons

Last weekend, the NFL reminded us why playoff football is worthy of our attention, with two of four games decided by last-minute drives. We'll soon find out whether today’s NFC Championship between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons delivers more of the same drama.

Both teams come into the game out to right wrongs of the past. Last week, the Falcons won their first playoff game since 2005, but Atlanta hasn’t won an NFC title game since 1999. And despite posting a regular-season record of 13-3, the team is not favored against the 49ers. As for San Francisco, the 49ers had the NFC title within reach last year, but a fumble by backup return man Kyle Williams on an overtime punt set up the New York Giants’ game-winning field goal. But that team didn't have rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who gives the 49ers a dual threat every time he snaps the ball.

The teams did not play each other this year. The last time they met in the playoffs was the 1998 divisional playoffs, which was the first game back for Atlanta’s then-coach Dan Reeves after triple bypass heart surgery. Atlanta won the game to reach the only Super Bowl birth in team history. The Falcons could accomplish the same thing today.