It's a busy week for the 49ers. It's a busy week for football fans. This weekend's championship games are two of the best in memory. Rarely have the stars aligned to give football fans the two matchups they so desperately crave. I, for one, can't wait until early Monday morning (when I'll wake up here in Australia) to watch the doubleheader. While the rest of you will be drunk and enjoying your time with friends, I'll be sipping tea and watching the game alone. My wife will ask why did that guy stop running, what's that yellow handkerchief and why did I call Jerry Rice a goat on Twitter… but I'll be have all of you…in spirit.
There are a ton of links, so I'll get you into them...
49ers - Seahawks
The main thing the 49ers have going for them is the near-impotent Seattle passing game. That's our big advantage. Their offensive line is poor, Russell Wilson hasn't played a good game in over a month and I don't see how they're going to pass the ball at all. | Niners Will Face Slumping Seattle Pass Attack (NBC)
Another big narrative will be the 49ers return to full strength in the passing game. Michael Crabtree has hit his stride and Vernon Davis will be healthy. Neither quarterback has had a good game against the other team in the two encounters, but Colin Kaepernick will have the weapons necessary to attack the Seahawks' vaunted secondary. | Pick your poison: 49ers return to Seattle with more firepower (Barrows)
49ers Gear Up for Tough Return Trip to Seattle (NBC)
Seahawks Not Surprised to See 49ers Again (NBC)
49ers break tradition to stick with successful playoff routine (Maiocco)
Officiating crew has plenty of 49ers-Seahawks experience (Maiocco)
49ers emphasize protecting the ball against Seahawks (Maiocco)
Which quarterback will lose? Likely answer: whoever commits costly turnovers (Inman)
Keeping Frank Gore in check will be key for Seahawks (PFT)
Injuries
Well, we're down Bruce Miller, but otherwise we've become remarkably healthy since the offseason injuries healed up. There are a few question marks going into the game…but the only key contributors that are out for us are Miller, Chris Culliver, Mario Manningham and Ian Williams. Most teams would be happy with those casualties. | 49ers notebook: San Francisco 49ers close to full health for showdown with Seattle Seahawks (Inside Bay Area)
Carlos Rogers is looking healthy, but the Seahawks don't pose the same threat through the air that, say, Green Bay or Denver do. I really don't care to see him trying to cover Percy Harvin, either. | Rogers back at practice, looking much improved (Mercury News)
Ahmad Brooks has been sick. It looks like Will Tukuafu might actually be ready to go on Sundary. | Injury report: Brooks under the weather; Tukuafu, Rogers practice (Barrows)
Percy Harvin among three Seahawks to sit out Wednesday (PFT)
Kaepernick
I have a question. All season long, the Panthers front seven was touted by the national media as being the best in the game. They were our equal, if not our better, in the collective opinion of the scribes. If that's the case…did our front simply outplay the Panthers front, or is Colin Kaepernick twice as good as Cam Newton? I suspect it's a little of both. | Thompson: Kaepernick needs chip on shoulder (Inside Bay Area)
One of the keys to the game will be turnovers. With Seattle's pass offense in neutral, giving them a short field could be the difference. You see what happened to New Orleans…they had 25 first downs to Seattle's 16, but lost by a touchdown thanks to the turnovers. | 49ers turnover woes vs. Seattle has been a tale of two cities (Barrows)
Kaepernick Undefeated in Road Playoff Games (49ers.com)
The Next Wave of NFL QBs Is Here to Stay (MMQB)
49ers Talk
Kaepernick: ‘We do have to protect the football' (Inman)
Willis, Boldin admit dislike, ‘hostility' between 49ers, Seahawks (Mercury News)
AUDIO - Phil Dawson: 'I Have a Strict Routine I Follow'
Boldin Focused on Seattle, Not Next Contract (49ers.com)
Harbaugh Speaks
Who do you think would get voted the most hated coach in the NFL if you asked all the fans of all the teams. I have a sinking suspicion it's this guy you see singing here. | Jim Harbaugh sings Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere" (video) (BASG)
Video and transcripts from the Coach. | Coach's Notebook: Jan. 15 (49ers.com)
Harbaugh says there is no 'animosity' towards Pete Carroll (Gin)
Harbaugh on latest trip to Seattle: ‘This is only for the tough' (Branch)
Oh, to do it again: Harbaugh was ‘overjoyed' after '95 title game loss (Branch)
Those Other Guys Keep Flapping Their Gums
You know who I don't absolutely hate….Russell Wilson. | Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman Talk 49ers (49ers.com)
Khaki-Gate
Jim Harbaugh's plan to please his wife: ditch the pleats for ink-stained flat-front khakis (BASG)
Harbaugh's wife: He wears $8 pants from Walmart (SF Gate)
49ers Linebackers
Aldon Smith had a solid game on Sunday. He got pressure on multiple occasions. The other three linebackers, Ahmad Brooks, Patrick Willis and all-world mega-man NaVorro Bowman combined for 28 tackles, an interception and 3.5 sacks. The Panthers front seven combined for little-to-no impact. | Linebackers Lead Way for 49ers Into NFC Title Game (NBC)
Willis, Bowman give 49ers unique edge (ESPN)
Assistant Coaches
The Vikings have hired Mike Zimmer and it would now appear that we'll keep our primary assistants for the fourth consecutive year. The only head coaching job left is the Browns, and nobody wants that. I heard Fooch is the leading candidate at this point. | Vikings hire head coach; Roman, Tomsula passed over (Barrows)
More
Anquan Boldin has, by far, been the best acquisition of the offseason. Without him, we might have lost a few more games during the early part of the season when we were lacking offensive firepower. | 49ers reaping rewards of Boldin trade (ESPN)
Aldon Smith appears to be back in form and with the state of the Seattle offensive line, I'd expect him to have an impact on Sunday. | LB Smith's rebound from rehab stint impresses Harbaugh (Mercury News)
Roster watch: 49ers sign safety, punter to future deals (Barrows)
Frank Gore Named to USA All-Fundamentals Team (49ers.com)
PODCAST - Carolina "Can't hold us." Neither can Seattle (49erswebzone)