ATT: 410 | YDS: 1,846 | AVG: 4.5 | TD: 16
By Merril Hoge
Special to ESPN.com
With the confidence he has built up over the course of a brilliant season, Jamal Anderson can take over any game, including Saturday's playoff contest against the 49ers. Anderson goes into each game now with confidence that a group of defenders is required to tackle him, not just one player in the open field.
The 49ers defense is playing super football, but they are undermanned physically, especially without Bryant Young in the middle. They can be pounded on and worn down in the fourth quarter
Anderson might have set an NFL record for the number of carries in a season, but it's really the first time he's had to carry the ball a lot. It's his second year in an offense that calls for a physical style of running. In previous years, the offense was a run-and-shoot attack, which didn't feature a power running game like the current system under Dan Reeves.
With this being his first year of carrying a heavy load, Anderson is in a much fresher state at this point in the season than he was at the beginning. He's seasoned, has a feel for the running game and is brimming with confidence.
The bye week has allowed Anderson's nicks and bruises to heal a little better. His body will be healthy, making him a lot for the 49ers to reckon with, especially late in the third quarter and beyond when Anderson is getting stronger.
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COMP: 322 | ATT: 517 | YDS: 4,170 | TD: 36
By Mark Malone
Special to ESPN.com
It's tough to go wrong picking either Steve Young or Jamal Anderson. Playing different positions, they'll take over the game in different ways, but Young has command of an offense, has decision-making ability and can beat an opponent by running or throwing the ball. For that reason alone, he has more potential to take command of Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game.
Finally beating the rival Packers has given Young and the 49ers tremendous confidence. They were able to come back and beat Green Bay in the passing game, even though they got good production from Garrison Hearst. Given the 49ers' playoff experience, Young -- with the three-receiver passing game and the weaponry of Hearst -- should produce some big numbers against Atlanta.
Last week against the Packers, Young didn't have great numbers until the final drive because there had been some dropped balls. One of the things that's interesting is that if the 49ers don't get Jerry Rice involved in the game very early, they lose him.
What will be difficult for Young and the 49ers offense to combat will be the speed of the Falcons' pass rush. Atlanta can create pressure on a quarterback very quickly. With the 49ers' new vertical passing game and the three-receiver sets, it requires Young to hold onto the ball a little longer. That, at times, has been a problem for the 49ers, and it will be something to keep an eye on.
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