The Sports Network
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The San Francisco 49ers are headed back to the
Super Bowl for the first time since the 1994 season. Frank Gore scored a
pair of touchdowns in the second half and the 49ers rallied past the
Atlanta Falcons, 28-24, in the NFC Championship Game. San Francisco needed a
big defensive stand after Gore's 9-yard rushing touchdown put the 49ers
ahead by four with 8:23 to play. And that's just what they got. San
Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh was steaming on the sideline after the
officials upheld Harry Douglas' 22-yard juggling catch, which put the ball
at the 49ers' 28. Atlanta moved the ball to the 10-yard line and the game
came down to two plays. On 3rd-and-4, Ahmad Brooks broke up Matt Ryan's
pass and NaVorro Bowman gave the 49ers the ball back after knocking down
Ryan's throw to Roddy White on fourth. After the 49ers went three-and-out,
Atlanta got the ball back at its own 41 with six seconds to play. Julio Jones
caught a 24-yard pass as time expired. The victory was sweet redemption for
San Francisco, which lost to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the
NFC title game last year. The 49ers will face either Baltimore or New
England in Super Bowl XLVII. San Francisco, which is a perfect 5-0 in the
Super Bowl, will be trying to join Pittsburgh as the only teams with six Super
Bowl titles.
The Sports Network