NFC Championship Game-Previews and Predictions

SPECIAL TEAMS

Jan 12, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) makes a field goal against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers
Many may think special teams aren’t that important, however when it comes down to the final kick of the game, the final PAT, the final drive, there are guys in the special teams department that can either make or break a team. For the Niners, Phil Dawson has been one of the most clutch kickers in the league. After picking him up off the Browns, San Francisco scooped him and and his arrival has been felt all around. This season against teams such as the Cardinals and just this wild card weekend against the Packers, Dawson showed that it doesn’t take a touchdown or an arm to win games, it takes a leg. This is the NFC Championship for crying out loud, this game could be decided by a field goal, who do you want taking that shot? It’s Dawson all the way. If there is a last-second clutch kick to put through the uprights, Dawson will be there to give it his all. I mean, the guy came from the Browns, I’m pretty sure he would be kicking himself back to Cleveland if he knew that his missed field goal cost the Niners their second trip to the Super Bowl in as many years.

Dec 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka (4) kicks the extra point against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at CenturyLink Field. Arizona defeated Seattle 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks
Not really much you can about the Seahawks special team right now, considering they just lost a big piece of their return game in Percy Harvin who suffered a concussion last game against the Saints. Even if Harvin had not gotten injured, he still wouldn’t have been 100% healthy nor quick to go and return punts, nor kickoffs. This game I honestly see Jermaine Kearse going and taking one back all the way to the house or at least the 50 yard line of the Niners. Steven Hauschka was pretty darn consistent this season, however in the playoffs some of his kicks may have looked a little bit shaky but nothing to be thoroughly concerned about. If the game does come down to a field goal, I would definitely trust Hauschka to take the kick for me. The key though is with the footing, last game the footing of Hauschka looked a little bit questionable in the rain and horrible weather conditions. If this next game is the same way with the weather and such, the 6th-year kicker out of NC State will need to buckle down and get all of his mechanics under control. Also, like in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, both teams need to remember “Laces Out!” We saw last weekend that the Saints could have missed some field goals because the holder did not put laces out. Hey, how am I supposed to know place holders never watch Jim Carrey movies?