Aldon Smith slipped past Atlanta Falcons' left tackle Sam Baker and hit Matt Ryan squarely in the chest sending him to the ground on his back, and the ball flying from his gripe.
Middle linebacker Patrick Willis pounced on the ball giving the San Francisco 49ers possession on their own 41-yard line with 2:09 remaining in the game. At the time of the turnover, the Niners were trailing Atlanta 31-27.
Second year quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the drive with a 15-yard scramble. He then hit wide receiver Michael Crabtree for a 22-yard strike, before connecting with tight end Vernon Davis for a 22-yard touchdown pass to put San Francisco ahead 34-31 with only 24 seconds remaining.
Kaepernick passed for 264 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another one as the number two seeded 49ers defeated the number one seeded Falcons 34-31 in the NFC Championship game on Sunday night, clinching their spot in Super Bowl XLVII.
The game started with Atlanta score 14 unanswered points with Ryan connecting with wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones on touchdown passes. Ryan passed for 301 yards with three touchdowns, but threw two interceptions and had the game losing fumble.
White had eight catches for 114 yards for the Falcons, and Jones added six receptions for 85 yards. Michael Turner rushed for 59 yards on 14 carries.
The Falcons' defense sacked Kaepernick twice on their opening drive and forced two quick three-and-outs, but the young quarterback rebounded with three straight scoring drives to make the game 21-13 going into the locker room at halftime.
The 49ers would take the lead late in the third quarter on a Frank Gore touchdown run that made the game 27-24, but Atlanta would regain the lead on 42-yard touchdown reception by veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez.
The Falcons were driving late and seemed on the verge of putting the game away for good when the fumble occurred on a third and long.
Do you think Madden NFL '13 got tonight's game right? In the regular season madden was 27-15 and for the playoffs the simulations are 4-4.
Here is a list of Madden NFL 13's simulations for the year...
Week 1
Cowboys Vs. Giants
Week 2
Packers Vs. Bears
49ers Vs. Lions
Broncos Vs. Falcons
Week 3
Giants Vs. Panthers
Patriots Vs. Ravens
Packers Vs. Seahawks
Week 4
Browns Vs. Ravens
Giants Vs. Eagles
Bears Vs. Cowboys
Week 5
Cardinal Vs. Rams
Chargers Vs. Saints
Texans Vs. Jets
Week 6
Steelers Vs. Titans
Packers Vs. Texans
Broncos Vs. Chargers
Week 7
Seahawks Vs. 49ers
Steelers Vs. Bengals
Week 8
Buccaneers Vs. Vikings
49ers Vs. Cardinals
Week 9
Chiefs Vs. Chargers
Cowboys Vs. Falcons
Eagles Vs. Saints
Week 10
Colts Vs. Jaguars
Texans Vs Bears
Chiefs Vs Steelers
Week 11
Miami Vs. Buffalo
49ers Vs. Bears
Week 12
Redskins Vs. Cowboys
Patriots Vs. Jets
Packers Vs. Giants
Panthers Vs. Eagles
Week 13
Saints Vs. Falcons
Eagles Vs. Cowboys
Giants Vs. Redskins
Week 14
Broncos Vs. Raiders
Texans Vs. Patriots
Week 15
Bengals Vs. Eagles
49ers Vs. Patriots
Titans Vs. Jets
Week 16
N/A
Week 17
Cowboys Vs Redskins
Playoffs Wildcard Round
Bengals Vs. Texans
Vikings Vs. Packers
Colts Vs. Ravens
Seahawks Vs. Redskins
Playoffs Divisional Round
Ravens Vs. Broncos
Packers Vs. 49ers
Seahawks Vs. Falcons
Texans Vs. Patriots
Championship Round
49ers Vs. Falcons
