Alex Smith Engineers Last-Second Drive As 49ers Down Saints, 36-32

It’s always interesting to check out win probability graphs, no matter the sport. Looking back on the swings in momentum, plays that had a significant affect on the outcome of the game and just how in-control a matchup was at any given time can paint a fun picture of what happened. Such is the case for Saturday’s NFL playoff matchups, which took two drastically different paths to their outcomes.

And then there was the Patriots win over the Broncos. By halftime, the game was basically over in a statistical sense.

SI.com: Saints-49ers live boxscore

Sproles now has 13 receptions on the day, tying an NFL playoff record. Brees has now attempted 58 passes and the two quarterbacks look like they could possibly combine for over 100 pass attempts by the end of the game.

Suit watch is back on and this time we turn our attention to Daryl “Moose” Johnston. What in the world is going on here?

Also note the faces. Moose is struggling to get something out and Kenny Albert looks ready to jump out of the booth. Playoff fever! Catch it!

Here’s video of the play that may have secured the Niners’ passage to the 2012 NFC Championship Game:

But they got something that led to that nothing, and that something led to points. For the Niners, that was a huge boost.

SI.com: Saints-49ers live boxscore

Looks kind of familiar, doesn’t he? Like, perhaps, a certain character from Sonic?

SI.com: Saints-49ers live boxscore

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

SI.com: Saints-49ers live boxscore

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

Smith found Davis on a crossing route downfield, and Davis benefited from some defensive misconduct in getting free and scoring from — of course — 49 yards out.

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

SI.com: Saints-49ers live boxscore

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for theSaints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

Niners coach Jim Harbaugh knows how important home field is, and what it means to the players. Well, I think it’s an advantage. “They work very hard for it. They earned it. And they get the benefit of that,” Harbaugh said at a Thursday press conference. “So, it’s not to say that teams don’t win on the road in the playoffs, because historically they do. But, I think our team goes into this game confident and bold and with a great amount of respect for the New Orleans Saints team as well. Great amount of respect for who they are, what they do, and what they’re capable of.”

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

Here’s the schedule and TV information for Saturday:

New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:30 p.m. on FOX

Little wind is expected and the temperature will approach record highs for January.

Earlier this week, David Fucillo of Niners Nation jokingly suggested that maybe the 49ers could leave the sprinklers on overnight to slow down the Saints.

Game Date/Time: Saturday, January 14; 4:30pm ET

Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA