Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers return to the Super Bowl for the sixth time in franchise history as they go up against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII. The 49ers are on a three game winning streak and have won five of the last six games.

San Francisco will attempt to win the Super Bowl for the sixth time in franchise history and for the first time since the 1994 season on Sunday. The 49ers six trips to the Super Bowl are tied with the Denver Broncos for the 4th most Super Bowl appearances in league history. With a Niners victory they will be tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for most Super Bowl victories in NFL history.

The 49ers earned a trip to the Super Bowl with a 28-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game, after trailing 17-0 in the first half. The 17-point comeback was the 2nd largest deficit overcome to win a conference championship. The Ravens punched their ticket to the NFL championship game by also overcoming a first half deficit against the New England Patriots and ended up winning, 28-13.

THE HISTORY

This will be the fifth-time the Ravens and 49ers have played, but the most memorable game was last years battle on Thanksgiving night. In the first edition of the HarBowl, Baltimore won, 16-6. The only time San Francisco has won in the series was the first game played in 1996 when they defeated the Ravens, 38-20.

Matchups: 4

Series Record: Ravens lead series 3-1

49ers Home Record vs. Ravens: Series tied 1-1

49ers Away Record vs. Ravens: Ravens lead series 2-0

First Meeting: November 17, 1996, 49ers won 38-20

Last Meeting: November 24/11, Ravens won 16-6

Current Streak: Lost 3

Longest 49ers Win Streak: 1 – (November 17, 1996)

Longest Ravens Win Streak: 3 – (November 30, 2003 – November 24, 2011)

Most 49ers Points Scored: 38 – (November 17, 1996), 38-20

Most Ravens Points Scored: 44 – (November 30, 2003), 44-6

Game Results

1996-49ERS 38, Ravens 20

2003-RAVENS 44, 49ers 6

2007-Ravens 9, 49ERS 7

2011-RAVENS 16, 49ers 6

THE NUMBERS

2012 Comparison

 49ERS     (rank)                     RAVENS     (rank)

11-4-1 (1st NFC West) Record 10-6 (1st AFC North)

24.8 (11th) Points Per Game 24.9 (10th)

361.8 (11th) Total Offense 352.5 (16th)

155.7 (4th) Rushing Offense 118.8 (11th)

206.1 (23rd) Passing Offense 233.7 (15th)

30:49 (10th) Possession Average 28:09 (29th)

17.1 (2nd) Points Allowed Per Game 21.5 (t-12th)

294.4 (3rd) Total Defense 350.9 (17th)

94.2 (4th) Rushing Defense 122.8 (20th)

200.2 (4th) Passing Defense 228.1 (17th)

38 (t-11th) Sacks 37 (t-15th)

14 (t-16th) Interceptions 13 (19th)

48.1 (3rd) Punting Avg. (Gross) 47.1 (8th)

+9 (t-8th) Turnover Differential +9 (t-8th)

49ERS RAVENS

PASSING YARDS

Colin Kaepernick……..1,814 Joe Flacco…………………..3,817

Alex Smith………………..1,737

RUSHING YARDS

Frank Gore……………….1,214 Ray Rice………………………1,143

Colin Kaepernick………. 415 Bernard Pierce…………..532

RECEPTIONS

Michael Crabtree………..85 Anquan Boldin……………….65

Mario Manningham……42 Dennis Pitta…………………….61

Vernon Davis……………….. 41 Ray Rice…………………………..61

RECEIVING YARDS

Michael Crabtree…….1,105 Anquan Boldin…………….. 921

Vernon Davis…………….548 Torrey Smith……………….855

INTERCEPTIONS

Dashon Goldson…………….3 Cary Williams……………………4

Three Players………………..2 Ed Reed……………………………..4

SACKS

Aldon Smith………………. 19.5 Paul Kruger…………………..9.0

Ahmad Brooks……………6.5 Haloti Ngata………………….5.0

Justin Smith………………..3.0 Two players…………………..4.5

• 1: Ray Lewis’ first career sack was on Jim Harbaugh in 1996.
• 5: The 49ers are 5-0 in Super Bowls in franchise history. The 5 victories are tied for the second most in NFL history (Pittsburgh – 6; Dallas – 5).
• 9: QB Colin Kaepernick enters Super Bowl XLVII with 9 career NFL starts (regular season and postseason). The 9 starts mark the 3rd fewest starts by a QB entering the Super Bowl in NFL history. (Jeff Hostetler, NYG – 6; Vince Ferragamo, L.A. Rams – 7)
• 2: RB Frank Gore led the way with 21 carries for 90 yards and 2 TDs against the Atlanta Falcons. This marked Gore’s first career multi-touchdown performance in the postseason.
• 20: Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers are 11-2-1 when Gore has 20 carries or more.
• 3: QB Colin Kaepernick completed 16 of 21 passes (76.2 comp. pct.) for 233 yards with 1 TD and a QB rating of 127.7 in the NFC Championship Game. His 76.2 comp. pct. ranks 3rd in franchise postseason history.
• 28: The 49ers have won 28 playoff games since 1970.
• 15: RB LaMichael James registered his first-career TD on a 15-yard TD run in the win over the Falcons. James became the first 49ers rookie to register a TD in the postseason since FB William Floyd recorded a 4-yard TD reception from QB Steve Young vs. San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX.
• 17: The 17-point comeback against Atlanta was the 2nd largest deficit overcome to win a conference championship.
• 100: Davis registered his 3rd career 100-yard game in the postseason in the NFC Championship Game. He now ranks t-2nd in NFL postseason history for the most 100-yard receiving games by a tight end.
• 6: The 49ers will be making their sixth Super Bowl appearance which ranks second all-time.
• 110.5: TE Vernon Davis has averaged 110.5 rec. yards per game in 4 career postseason games which ranks 3rd in NFL history (min. 4 games) and is the most among tight ends.
• 10: San Francisco’s defense allowed just 157 plays of 10 or more yards this season, ranking 1st in the NFL. The defense only allowed 7 TDs of 10 or more yards, also ranking 1st in the NFL.

 49ers Super Bowl History

Super Bowls Games: 5

49ers Record: 5-0

First Game: 49ers win 26-21 over Bengals (SB XVI – January 24, 1982)

Last Game: 49ers win 49-26 over Chargers (SB XXIX – January 29, 1995)

Current Streak: Won 5

Longest SF Win Streak: 5 (January 24, 1982 – Current)

Most SF Points: 55; 49ers win 55-10 over Broncos (SB XXIV – January 28, 1990)

Most Opp. Points: 26; 49ers win 49-26 over Chargers (SB XXIX – January 29, 1995)

Total SF Points: 188

Total Opp. Points: 89

Average SF Points: 37.6

Average Opp. Points: 17.8

Largest SF Win: 45; 49ers win 55-10 over Broncos (SB XXIV – January 28, 1990)

 49ers Super Bowl Wins

 1981 (1/24) W San Francisco 26, Cincinnati 21

1984 (1/20) W San Francisco 38, Miami 16

1988 (1/22) W San Francisco 20, Cincinnati 16

1989 (1/28) W San Francisco 55, Denver 10

1994 (1/29) W San Francisco 49, San Diego 26

 THE CONNECTIONS

• 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh faces his older brother, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, for the second time. It marks the first time in NFL history in which siblings have faced each other in a Super Bowl as head coaches.
• Jim Harbaugh played quarterback with the Chicago Bears (1987-1993) when quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst (1991-1995) and Ravens defensive line coach Clarence Brooks (1993-1998) were on the Bears’ coaching staff.
• Jim Harbaugh was co-captain with Ravens offensive line coach Andy Moeller at the University of Michigan in 1986.
• 49ers assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Brad Seely coached with Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees with the New England Patriots from 2004-2008.
• Jim Harbaugh played quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens in 1998.
• 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was on the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff as the special assistant to the head coach from 2006-2008 and in 2009 he was the linebackers coach.
• 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman was the assistant offensive line coach for the Ravens from 2006-2007.
• 49ers LB Tavares Gooden was selected in the 3rd round (71st overall) by the Ravens in 2008 and played with Baltimore until 2010.
• 49ers LB NaVorro Bowman grew up in District Heights, Maryland and attended Suitland HS (Forestville, Maryland).
• 49ers TE Vernon Davis is a native of Washington D.C. and attended the University of Maryland.
• 49ers RB Frank Gore played at Miami (FL) in 2001 with Ravens S Ed Reed and T Bryant McKinnie.
• 49ers LB Patrick Willis and Ravens T Michael Oher were teammates at Mississippi from 2005-2006.
• 49ers T Anthony Davis played with Ravens RB Ray Rice from 2006-2007 at Rutgers.
• 49ers RB LaMichael James and FB/DT Will Tukuafu played at Oregon with Ravens TE Ed Dickson from 2008-2009.
• 49ers QB Alex Smith was a teammate of Ravens LB/DE Paul Kruger at Utah in 2004.
• Ravens wide receivers coach Jim Hostler served as the 49ers quarterbacks coach from 2005-2006 and offensive coordinator in 2007.
• Ravens LB Brendon Ayanbadejo is from Santa Cruz, CA.

Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

For the second straight year the San Francisco 49ers will be appearing in the NFC Championship, and the 14^th time in franchise history, as they go up against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The last time the 49ers appeared in back-to-back NFC Championship games was in 1992-1994. With a win over the Falcons, San Francisco will advance to the Super Bowl for the sixth time and the first time since 1994.

The 49ers head into the game as four point favorites over the Falcons despite playing on the road. San Francisco is favored to win because of the play of Colin Kaepernick and the Niners stout defense. Kaepernick set the NFL single-game record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 181 yards in route to the 49ers 45-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers. The Niners D held Aaron Rodgers to 194 passing yards, a 78.8 rating and only allowed Green Bay’s offense to score 17 points.

For the Falcons, they dominated the first half of their game against the Seattle Seahawks last week, only to give up a 20-point lead and almost losing for the fourth consecutive time in the playoffs. After all the twists and turns, the Falcons prevailed to go to their first NFC Championship Game since 1998.

Predication

Once again the 49ers rushing attack will be leading the way and they will be able to run all over the Falcons defense. Kaepernick will be just as exciting making plays again with his arm and legs. Falcons QB Matt Ryan will make some big plays in the game, but the Niners D will be able to keep in check Atlanta’s potent passing offense to only a few touchdown scores.

Final score: 49ers 27-Falcons 20

THE HISTORY

From 1970 until 2001, the 49ers and Falcons were division rivals facing each other twice a year in the NFC West. In 2002 the Falcons moved to the newly created NFC South along with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers who also played in the NFC West.

The 49ers dominated the Falcons when they played in the NFC West, but they have lost the last four games against Atlanta. The only postseason meeting between the two teams was the NFC Divisional Round in 1998, with the Falcons winning 20-18. The lasting memory I have from the game is running back Garrison Hearst suffering a devastating ankle injury on the first play of the game. Ironically, the loss to the Falcons in 1998 came after the 49ers beat the Packers with The Catch II. Hopefully the result will be different this time around.

The 49ers have a 5-8 record all-time playing in the Georgia Dome.

49ers vs. Falcons

Matchups: 75

Postseason Matchups: 1

Series Record: 49ers lead series 44-30-1

Postseason Series Record: Falcons lead series 1-0

49ers Home Record vs. Falcons: 49ers lead series 26-11

49ers Postseason Home Record vs. Falcons: None

49ers Away Record vs. Falcons: Falcons lead series 18-9-1

49ers Postseason Away Record vs. Falcons: Falcons lead series 1-0

First Meeting: October 16, 1966, 49ers win 44-7, at Atlanta

First Postseason Meeting: January 9, 1999, Falcons win 20-18, at Atlanta (NFC Divisional Round)

Last Meeting: October 3, 2010, Falcons win 16-14, at Atlanta

Last Postseason Meeting: January 9, 1999, Falcons win 20-18, at Atlanta (NFC Divisional Round)

Current Streak: Lost 4

Current Postseason Streak: Lost 1

Longest 49ers Win Streak: 5 – 3 times (Last September 29, 1996 – September 27, 1998)

Longest Postseason 49ers Win Streak: None

Longest Falcons Win Streak: 4 – 2 times (Last September 12, 2004 – October 3, 2010)

Most 49ers Points: 56 – (October 18, 1992), 56-17, at San Francisco

Most Postseason 49ers Points: 18, (January 9, 1999), 20-18 at Atlanta (NFC Divisional Round)

Most Falcons Points: 45 – (October 11, 2009), 45-10, at Atlanta

Most Postseason Falcons Points: 20, (January 9, 1999), 20-18 at Atlanta (NFC Divisional Round)

49ers Shutouts: 4 – (Last November 23, 1986), 49ers win 20-0, at San Francisco

Postseason 49ers Shutouts: None

Falcons Shutouts: 2 – (Last 10/9/77), Falcons win 7-0, at San Francisco

Postseason Falcons Shutouts: None

 49ers NFC Championship Numbers

NFC Con. Champ. Games: 13

49ers Record: 5-8 (Home: 4-5/ Away: 1-3)

First Game: 49ers loss 17-10 vs. Dallas (January 3, 1971)

Last Game: 49ers loss 20-17 (OT) vs. New York Giants (January 22, 2012)

Current Streak: Lost 2

Longest SF Win Streak: 3 (January 6, 1985-January 14, 1990)

Last SF Home Win: 49ers win 38-28 vs. Dallas (January 15, 1995)

Last SF Home Loss: Giants win 20-17 (OT) (January 22, 2012)

Last SF Road Win: 49ers win 28-3 at Chicago (January 8, 1989)

Last SF Road Loss: Cowboys win 38-21 at Dallas (January 23, 1994)

Most SF Points: 38; 49ers win 38-28 vs. Dallas (January 15, 1995)

Most Opp. Points: 38; Cowboys win 38-21 at Dallas (January 23, 1994)

Total SF Points: 262

Total Opp. Points: 242

Average SF Points: 20.2

Average Opp. Points: 18.6

Largest SF Win: 27; 49ers win 30-3 vs. L.A. Rams (January 14, 1990)

Largest Opp. Win: 17; Cowboys win 38-21 at Dallas (January 23, 1994)

49ers NFC Championship History

Season (Date) W/L Score

1970 (January 3): Loss Dallas 17, San Francisco 10

1971 (January 2): Loss Dallas 14, San Francisco 3

1981 (January 10): Win San Francisco 28, Dallas 27

1983 (January 8): Loss Washington 24, San Francisco 21

1984 (January 6): Win San Francisco 23, Chicago 0

1988 (January 8): Win San Francisco 28, Chicago 3

1989 (January 14): Win San Francisco 30, L.A. Rams 3

1990 (January 20): Loss New York Giants 15, San Francisco 13

1992 (January 17): Loss Dallas 30, San Francisco 20

1993 (January 23): Loss Dallas 38, San Francisco 21

1994 (January 15): Win San Francisco 38, Dallas 28

1997 (January 11): Loss Green Bay 23, San Francisco 10

2011 (January 22): Loss New York Giants 20, San Francisco 17 (OT)

THE NUMBERS

Head-to-Head Comparison

49ERS (rank)                      FALCONS (rank)

11-4-1 (1st NFC West) Record 13-3 (1st NFC South)

24.8 (11th) Points Per Game 26.2 (7th)

361.8 (11th) Total Offense 369.1 (8th)

155.7 (4th) Rushing Offense 87.3 (29th)

206.1 (23rd) Passing Offense 281.8 (6th)

30:49 (10th) Possession Average 30:52 (9th)

17.1 (2nd) Points Allowed Per Game 18.7 (5th)

294.4 (3rd) Total Defense 365.6 (24th)

94.2 (4th) Rushing Defense 123.2 (21st)

200.2 (4th) Passing Defense 242.4 (23rd)

38 (t-11th) Sacks 29 (28th)

14 (t-16th) Interceptions 20 (t-5th)

48.1 (3rd) Punting Avg. (Gross) 45.6 (18th)

+9 (t-8th) Turnover Differential +13 (t-5th)

• 14: San Francisco will be appearing in their 14^th NFC Championship Game.
•  323: The 49ers 323 rushing yards. vs. Green Bay last week are the 5th most in a single postseason game in NFL history.
• 100: The 49ers became the first team in NFL history to ever have two, 100-yard rushers [QB Colin Kaepernick (181 yards rushing), RB Frank Gore (119 yards rushing)] and one, 100-yard receiver [WR Michael Crabtree (119 yards receiving)] in a playoff game.
• 8: Head coach Jim Harbaugh became the 8th head coach in NFL history to reach the conference or league championship in each of his first two seasons. George Seifert is one the coaches.
• 45: The 49ers scored 45 points vs. the Packers which was the 3rd most points in franchise postseason history.
• 5: The 49ers were one of just 3 NFL teams this season to have the same starting 5 offensive linemen in every game.
• 36: The 49ers defense allowed just 36 drives to reach the red zone this season, ranking 1st in the NFL.
• 1: Michael Crabtree ranked first in the NFL for 3rd-down touchdowns with 5 this season.
• 10: Dashon Goldson had a season high 10 tackles at Atlanta in a game in the 2010 season.
• 60: Frank Gore had 6 receptions for 60 yards in the same game versus the Falcons.
• 90: Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (93) and WR Roddy White (92) each had over 90 receptions this season
• 32: In 32 games under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have not committed a turnover in 14 games, ranking t-1st in the NFL.
• 56: Kaepernick’s 56-yd. TD run last week marked the longest run by a QB in franchise postseason history and the 3rd longest overall.
• 25: Kaepernick became the youngest 49ers starting QB to make his playoff debut (25 years, 2 months, 9 days). QB Joe Montana was previously the youngest starting QB to make his playoff debut.

THE CONNECTIONS

• 49ers LB Aldon Smith, Falcons TE Chase Coffman, S William Moore and LB Sean Weatherspoon, were teammates at the University of Missouri in 2008.
• 49ers CB Tarell Brown and Falcons G Justin Blalock played their entire career together at the University of Texas from 2003-2006.
• 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks was teammates with Falcons RB Jason Snelling at the University of Virginia from 2002-2004.
• 49ers LB Tavares Gooden and Falcons P Matt Bosher played together at the University of Miami from 2006-2007.
• Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan was the 49ers head coach from 2005-2008.
• 49ers special teams coordinator/assistant head coach Brad Seely worked with Falcons defensive line coach Ray Hamilton in New England during the 1999 season.
• 49ers quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst was on the Carolina Panthers staff with Falcons secondary coach Tim Lewis from 2007-2008.
• 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari and Tim Lewis were both on the Seattle Seahawks staff in 2009.
• Secondary coach Ed Donatell was the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons from 2004-2006.
• FB Bruce Miller is from Woodstock, GA and attended Woodstock HS.
• CB Carlos Rogers is from Augusta, GA and attended Butler HS.
• Falcons’ offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter held the same position at San Francisco State in 1985.
• Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez attended the University of California where he played football and basketball.
• Falcons S Thomas DeCoud attended Pinole Valley High School in Pinole, CA and then went on to star at the University of California.
• Falcons CB Chris Owens attended San Jose State.

Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree was interviewed by police on Friday night about allegations he sexually assaulted a woman after the teams win over the Green Bay Packers. It has been reported he was cooperative and agreed to be available for future interviews. Crabtree traveled with the team to Atlanta and he is expected to play on Sunday.

Crabtree was not arrested or detained, but this is not the kind of attention the team needs heading into NFC Championship Game against the Atlanta Falcons. The news will be a distraction as Crabtree will undoubtedly have to answer questions about the incident, especially if the 49ers  advance to the Super Bowl and all its media attention. But I doubt this will have any affect on Crabtree’s play on the field and he will still put up big numbers against the Falcons.

A big part of Colin Kaepernick’s success has been due in part to Crabtree and the chemistry they have developed. Last week against the Packers he had nine receptions, 119 yards and two touchdowns.

49ers general manager Trent Baalke released a statement saying,

The 49ers take such matters very seriously. We will have no further comment at this time as the legal process is ongoing.