San Francisco at Atlanta


Breaking down the 49ers and Falcons


Focal Point: Anderson vs. Young


Niners are road worriers


NFC guard officially has changed

SUWANEE, Ga. -- Raised in a home where Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard were frequent guests, Jamal Anderson always assumed the Atlanta Falcons were destined for another game against the San Francisco 49ers.

	Jamal Anderson says the Falcons don't mind having to "take the toughest route."

After all, didn't Ali fight Joe Frazier three times? Didn't Leonard go three times against Robert Duran?

Great rivalries require a trilogy, so bring on San Francisco for the third time this season.

"The Niners again," Anderson, the Falcons' All-Pro running back, said Monday. "You knew it was going to happen like this. If it was meant to be, we knew we would have to go through San Francisco. We don't have a problem with that."

The Falcons got a chance to relax over weekend and await their opponent in Saturday's divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome, the first postseason contest in Atlanta since 1980.

The answer didn't come until Sunday evening, when Terrell Owens grabbed a 25-yard touchdown pass with three seconds remaining, giving the 49ers an improbable 30-27 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

"I kind of look at it like the great heavyweight fights," said Anderson, whose father has been head of security for many top athletes and entertainers. "Muhammad had to fight these guys time and time again. It's the same thing for us. If we're meant to be champs, we've got to take the toughest route."

The 49ers, who finished two games behind Atlanta (14-2) in the NFC West, handed the Falcons one of their losses. In the third game of the season, San Francisco built a 31-7 lead by halftime at 3Com Park and cruised to a 31-20 victory.

In the rematch, with the teams tied for the NFC West lead, the Falcons responded with a 31-19 victory on their home field, snapping a five-game losing streak against the 49ers. Atlanta finished the regular season with a nine-game winning streak to claim only the second division title in team history.

"It's destiny that we play the 49ers," Falcons defensive end Chuck Smith said. "In the first game, they dominated. In the second game, we dominated. This is like a grudge match."

Coach of the Year Dan Reeves, still recovering from heart bypass surgery on Dec. 14, hasn't decided what his role will be for the playoff game. He missed Atlanta's final two games of the regular season, but has been helping out with game planning over the past week.

"Knowing coach Reeves, I would speculate that he'll probably be in the (press box) booth somewhere," Anderson said. "I don't think he'll be on the sideline because of the risk."

Reeves underwent a routine examination Monday morning and apparently received a clean bill of health. He drove himself to the Falcons' suburban training complex -- he was using a driver last week -- and met privately with his assistants to work on the offensive game plan.

Reeves was not available for comment. He said last week he might have to stay off the sidelines while taking blood thinner medication because of the risk of injury.

Defensive coordinator Rich Brooks has been the acting head coach. A signal of his role could come Tuesday, when the Falcons' coach holds his weekly news conference; team officials weren't sure if Brooks or Reeves would handle the duties.

"I don't know exactly what Dan will be involved in this week," Brooks said. "Last week, he just told me to keep doing what I'm doing. I guess that's what I'll do until he tells me otherwise."

The Falcons didn't practice Monday, limiting their work to the weight room. A large group planned to attend Monday night's World Championship Wrestling heavyweight title fight involving Bill Goldberg, who played with Atlanta from 1992-94.

There was a sign in the locker room telling the players to bring along their practice jerseys to the Georgia Dome, an indication they might be getting involved in the "fight."

"The jersey thing is just in case he needs our help," offensive lineman Adam Schreiber said, grinning slyly. "You never know what might happen."