NFL playoffs 2013 schedule: Championship Sunday is here

The San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons are gearing up for Sunday's NFC Championship in the Georgia Dome.

Neither team has been in this situation recently, with Atlanta being the most current with an NFC Championship loss in 2004 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Back then, Matt Ryan was still at Boston College and Michael Vick was running the show for Atlanta.

Despite being one of the proud franchises of the NFL, the 49ers haven't been to the Super Bowl in 18 years.

On Sunday, history will be thrown out the window with second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick leading the charge. Of course Kaepernick had a historic performance last week, rushing for 181 yards and being responsible for four touchdowns in the rout of the Green Bay Packers.

San Francisco's defense will have a tough test against Juilo Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. Atlanta isn't much for running the ball, but the downfield passing attack can do serious damage.

In last Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks, Ryan threw for 250 yards and a trio of scores, propelling the Falcons to a last-second win.

If the 49ers can contain Ryan's passing game, they should be in fine shape.

TV: FOX

Time: 3 p.m. ET