The game: Falcons fall to 49ers

Sports

The game: Falcons fall to 49ers

The Falcons lose to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson hugs linebacker Sean Weatherspoon falling to the 49ers 28-24 in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan walks off the field after losing to the San Francisco 49er's in the NFC Championship at the Georgia Dome Sunday January 20, 2013. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

The Atlanta Falcons against the San Francisco 49er's in the NFC Championship at the Georgia Dome Sunday January 20, 2013. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the second quarter of the NFC Championship game Sunday afternoon Jan. 20, 2013 at the Georgia Dome. CURTIS COMPTON \ CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Falcons defensive back Dominique Franks waits on the sidelines after the 49ers took the lead in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game Sunday afternoon Jan. 20, 2013 at the Georgia Dome. CURTIS COMPTON \ CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers (left) walks off dejected as the celebration begins for the 49ers as time expires in a 28-24 victory by the 49ers in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann goes helmet to helmet with 49ers lineman Alex Boone during 1st half action at the Georgia Dome after a play that drew a penalty giving the 49ers a first down in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson sits alone on the bench after the Falcons' loss to the 49ers in the NFC championship game Sunday afternoon Jan. 20, 2013 at the Georgia Dome. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Falcons owner Arthur Blank, left, and GM Thomas Dimitroff react when the Falcons lost possession at the end of the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game Sunday afternoon Jan. 20, 2013 at the Georgia Dome. CURTIS COMPTON \ CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore, left, celebrates what would be come the game winning touchdown with teammates 49ers tight end Vernon Davis and quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the NFC Championship at the Georgia Dome Sunday January 20, 2013. The Falcons fell 24-28. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Roddy White hits the turf not being able to hold on to the pass on 4th and 4 in the final minutes turning the ball over to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. The drive ended a chance to go ahead in a 28-24 loss to the 49ers. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is hit hard by 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis on a quarterback keeper late in the 4th quarter of the NFC Championship at the Georgia Dome Sunday January 20, 2013. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez walks off the field after the Falcons lost to San Francisco 49er's in the NFC Championship at the Georgia Dome Sunday January 20, 2013. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Falcons fans sit dejected as the 49ers celebrate their 28-24 victory over the Falcons in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) gets hit after the throw by San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) on one of the Falcons final drives during the Falcons 28-24 loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome Sunday afternoon in Atlanta, Ga., January 20, 2013. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM

An Atlanta Falcons fan puts his hand over his face after the Atlanta Falcons lost to the San Francisco 49er's 28 to 24 during the NFC Championship game inside the Georgia Dome on Sunday, January 20, 2013. JOHNNY CRAWFORD / JCRAWFORD@AJC.COM

Two Atlanta Falcons fans hold up a "Thank You Tony" sign after the Atlanta Falcons lost to the San Francisco 49er's 28 to 24 during the NFC Championship game inside the Georgia Dome on Sunday, January 20, 2013. Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez stated that he might retire at the end of the season. JOHNNY CRAWFORD / JCRAWFORD@AJC.COM

Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters, left, and defensive end John Abraham can't on the sidelines during the final minute of the game against San Francisco 49er's in the NFC Championship at the Georgia Dome Sunday January 20, 2013. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Falcons fans took the loss hard. Atlanta Falcons fell to the San Francisco 49er's in the NFC Championship at the Georgia Dome Sunday January 20, 2013. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith and Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan dive for a fumble in the third quarter of the NFC Championship at the Georgia Dome Sunday January 20, 2013. The 49er's recovered the fumble. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

The San Francisco 49er's celebrate their win over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship at the Georgia Dome Sunday January 20, 2013. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson hugs linebacker Sean Weatherspoon falling to the 49ers 28-24 in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

49ers running back Frank Gore slips into the endzone out of the reach of Falcons free safety Thomas DeCoud , left, and strong safety William Moore to give the 49ers their fist lead during the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game Sunday afternoon Jan. 20, 2013 at the Georgia Dome. CURTIS COMPTON \ CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan looks at a sea of 49ers while trying to unload a pass during the second half of the NFC championship game Sunday afternoon Jan. 20, 2013 at the Georgia Dome. JOHNNY CRAWFORD / JCRAWFORD@AJC.COM

The San Francisco 49er's celebrate their win over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship at the Georgia Dome Sunday January 20, 2013. BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

1/25

Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson hugs linebacker Sean Weatherspoon falling to the 49ers 28-24 in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Today's Gallery Headlines

Jimmy Carter ‘forever’ stamp

PHOTOS: 2025 AJC Photos of the Year

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

More Galleries

aajc 121625 class 2a carver

PHOTOS: Carver-Columbus defeats Hapeville Charter in Class 2A title game

toombs county, worth county

PHOTOS: Worth County wins Class A Division I Championship

aajc 121625 div 4 flag champ

Photos: Blessed Trinity beats Milton in double OT to claim flag football title

aajc 121625 div 3 flag champ

Photos: North Oconee wins flag football championship