ATLANTA — Justin Smith did not miss a game for 10 years, a streak that endured seven seasons with the Bengals and three with the 49ers. When he suffered a partially torn left triceps tendon this season, Smith had to bow out, missing the final two games of 2012 before returning in last week’s playoff rout of the Packers.
Smith, a 33-year old defensive end, played wearing a bulky black brace on his left arm and will wear it again today as the Niners face the Falcons in the NFC Championship.
“It’s a love-hate relationship right now, but it’s one of those things and it’s doing its job,’’ Smith said of the brace. “It felt pretty strong and doing anything the second time is better than the first time. So it should definitely be a lot better, a lot more comfortable and everything.”
* If the past is any indication, expect a close game. The last five NFC title games have been decided by seven or fewer points, the longest such streak in conference championship history. Three of the games have been decided in overtime. … This is the first NFC title game for the Falcons since 1994. … The 49ers are seeking their sixth Super Bowl appearance. The last time they made it was after the 1994 season.
* This game figures to have special significance for Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. He was the 49ers head coach from 2005 to 2008, fired midway through his fourth year with a record of 18-37. … Want to know a big reason why the 49ers have had such a solid season? They’ve had the same five-man offensive line starting every game. “I’d say this is the best offensive line, no disrespect to any other teams, but this is the best offensive line we’ve faced all year,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “They’re big, they’re physical. They want to run the football.”
* Niners wide receiver Michael Crabtree is being investigated for a sexual assault allegation that took place last weekend in a hotel room in San Francisco after the 49ers beat the Packers. Crabtree has cooperated with the investigation. On the field, it’s been a four-year wait for Crabtree to live up to his first-round draft status (10th overall in 2009) but this season he finally emerged as a dangerous target. Crabtree had career-highs in receptions (85), receiving yards (1,105) and touchdowns (nine) and last week had his most productive playoff game, wrecking the Packers with nine catches for 119 yard and two touchdowns.
“He’s winning,’’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick said. “That what it comes down to. You’re going to get open as a receiver or you’re not, and he’s been getting open.’’
* Who would Smith compare Kaepernick to?
“I think that he is probably closer to Cam Newton because of his size and his stature,” the Falcons coach said. “He’s a big, tall guy and once he gets going he’s hard to catch. When he starts to stride it out, I think you can see he can run away from defenders.”