49ERS at PANTHERS

Sunday, 1:05 p.m., Ch. 5

49ers by 1, 42½

The Panthers made the league take notice when they outmuscled the 49ers, 10-9, at Candlestick Park. Expect another bruising battle here. The difference is that the Niners played much better down the stretch than the Panthers. In fact, many feel San Francisco has been playing the best football out of any team right now. Colin Kaepernick, who had an awful game while being chased by the Panthers’ aggressive front in the first meeting, has been helped by the return of Michael Crabtree. In their four playoff games together, Crabtree has three 100-yard receiving games with three TDs, and as Santonio Holmes told us, the secondary is the weak link in the Carolina D. It’s also Cam Newton’s first playoff action. The Niner defense is not a good starting point.

IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Niners

and the under.