As a Niner fan, I want to address some of the things Alex brought up:
• Three of San Francisco's four losses this season came on the road. In each of those losses the 49ers scored 13 points or less.
No excuses here. Most teams play at home much better than on the road.
• Two of the 49ers' losses this season were inside a comfortable, 72-degree domed stadium - Minnesota and St. Louis.
True statement, but Minnesota and St Louis are much different teams than Atlanta. They have much better run games to open up the passing game and that's how they effectively played the Niners.
The Niners have played highly offensive passing teams comparable to Atlanta's offense (Green Bay twice, New Orleans, New England, and Detroit) and beaten them all.
• The 49ers haven't won a road playoff game in 24 years. San Francisco has lost five straight road playoff games, including one at the Georgia Dome in 1999. The 49ers' last playoff road win was at Soldier Field in 1989 with some guy named Joe Montana piloting a 28-3 victory over Chicago. That remains the team's only NFC Championship win on the road.
I don't care about this stat too much because they hadn't been in the playoffs (other than last year) since what, 2002? Prior to that, most of their playoff games were at home.
• San Francisco has never reached the Super Bowl as the No. 2 seed.
I'm not worried about this stat either. Each year lives on it's on. This is the first time this year that they've been the second seed and this year is all that matters atm.
I'm not saying that SF is just going to walk in there and take it. But, I do expect a well played, well coached game. I just don't think Atlanta will be able to play with SF in the late parts of the game. So, if Atlanta gets a big lead in the 1st half, they have a shot. If San Francisco gets up in the 1st half, the game is over.
And yes, I do have money on the game. I have SF -3.5 and I probably would've / should've bought up to 6.5, because if they win it will be big.
