NFL Playoff Schedule 2013: Offensive Players to Watch in NFC Championship Game

Well, it's safe to say the NFL playoffs haven't disappointed thus far.

Leading up to the conference title games this weekend, we've seen several nail-biters in the postseason, whether it be the Baltimore Ravens edging the favored Denver Broncos in overtime or the Atlanta Falcons squeaking by the surging Seattle Seahawks.

The Falcons will host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. San Francisco is coming off a 45-31 beatdown of the Green Bay Packers and looks mighty strong right now.

Here's a look at the offensive players to watch in the NFC title game, complete with the TV schedule below.

Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	TV
San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons	Sunday, Jan. 20	3 p.m.	Fox
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots	Sunday, Jan. 20	6:30 p.m.	CBS

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Anybody doubting Jim Harbaugh's decision to start Colin Kaepernick over Alex Smith during the season now?

While Smith has been solid under center for the 49ers the past two seasons, Kaepernick has that home-run ability (with his legs and his arm) that makes San Francisco even more dangerous.

That was on full display in the divisional round when the 49ers spanked the Packers, 45-31. 

Not only did Kaepernick throw for 263 yards and two touchdowns on 8.5 yards per pass attempt, he also ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

The big thing for the second-year signal-caller will be to avoid making bad decisions. Before he erupted against the Packers, he threw a pick-six to open the game.

While the Falcons allowed 7.4 yards per pass attempt in the regular season (20th in the NFL), they also notched 20 interceptions (tied for fifth).

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Before leading the Falcons to a 30-28 victory over the Seahawks last week, Matt Ryan had never won a playoff game in three attempts.

But Ryan had his best playoff game by far against Seattle, throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns (albeit with two interceptions). That included leading the Falcons on a three-play, 41-yard drive to set up Matt Bryant's game-winning field goal with eight seconds remaining.

San Francisco is no slouch when defending the pass, though. The 49ers ceded just 6.1 yards per pass attempt during the regular season, second-best in the league. They also held Aaron Rodgers to 6.6 yards per attempt in the divisional round while notching an interception.

Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Frank Gore has been San Francisco's rock in the backfield all season long.

He rushed for over 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns during the regular season and added 119 yards and a touchdown against the Packers in the playoffs.

But while the Falcons had trouble stopping the run during the regular season, they came to play in the divisional round, holding Seahawks star running back Marshawn Lynch to 46 yards on 16 carries.

More specifically, linebackers Sean Weatherspoon and Akeem Dent came to play, combining for 17 tackles.

Atlanta is going to need the same effort to stop Gore and Co. in the NFC title game.

Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons

The 49ers may have a rock in the backfield, but so do the Falcons.

Michael Turner's production has dropped off significantly this season, but the 30-year-old showed he can still be dangerous against Seattle, rushing for 98 yards on 14 carries.

On top of that, San Francisco's run defense is not as prolific as some may suggest. The 49ers allowed DuJuan Harris to rush for 53 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in the divisional round. That was after they allowed Patriots running back Danny Woodhead to rush for 61 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries in Week 15 and Lynch to rush for 111 yards and a touchdown in Week 16.

Of course, getting defensive end Justin Smith back healthy helps.

Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers

While Vernon Davis did manage one 44-yard catch against the Packers, the 49ers have largely relied on No. 1 receiver Michael Crabtree this season.

The four-year pro has had a breakout campaign, racking up over 1,100 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season before posting nine catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers in the playoffs.

At this point, teams know Kaepernick is going to Crabtree, but that hasn't stopped the dynamic duo from hooking up again and again.

Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons

It's hard to imagine veteran Roddy White didn't make the Pro Bowl roster this season.

White racked up 1,351 yards and seven touchdowns through the air during the regular season, posting 18 catches of 20 yards or more.

White also racked up 76 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks in the divisional round.

The four-time Pro Bowler is still a prolific player at 31 years of age and figures to test San Francisco's secondary.

Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Second-year receiver Julio Jones has officially exploded out of Roddy White's shadow and entered the spotlight.

After posting 959 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his rookie campaign, Jones racked up 1,198 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012.

In fact, the 23-year-old actually grabbed a Pro Bowl spot over White this season.

Jones has been relatively quiet by his standards in his past two games, but he can single-handedly change the complexion of a game at any moment.