SANTA CLARA, Calif. - From the pick six that closed Candlestick to a pair of goal-line stands in Carolina, it seems like whenever San Francisco needs a big play from its defence one of the 49ers decorated linebackers steps up. With Pro Bowlers NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis and Ahmad Brooks playing alongside talented pass rusher Aldon Smith on co-ordinator Vic Fangios defence, the Niners version of the fearsome foursome has played a major part in their advancement to the NFC title game on Sunday night in Seattle. Bowman, Willis, Brooks and Smith have combined for seven sacks, one forced fumble and an interception in road playoff wins in Green Bay and Carolina that set up the showdown with the Seahawks with a spot in the Super Bowl on the line. "We just try to stay together and lead this defence," Bowman said. "We all can do special things that a lot of guys cant do in this league. Vics just done a great job drawing up the right plays and what he wants us to do out there. Were blessed to have all four of us on the same page." What makes this unit so effective is how well they work together. Smith and Brooks are elite pass rushers, able to chase down quarterbacks with their speed and overpower blockers with their strength. Willis and Bowman are the do-everything inside backers, who plug holes against the run, blitz when needed and chase running backs and tight ends in coverage. While Willis came into the year as the most decorated of the bunch as a five-time All-Pro and Smith the most feared with 33 1/2 sacks his first two seasons, it is Bowman who has led the group this season when the Niners needed it most. Smith missed five games to receive substance abuse treatment and Willis showed a few signs of slowing down, turning Bowman into the on-field leader of the group. He was named first-team All-Pro for the third straight season and has been mentioned as a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year after recording a career-high five sacks, two interceptions, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. That earned him the ultimate praise from Willis. "I said, Man, youre having the kind of year that linebackers want to have. I know youre most certainly having the kind of year that I would love to have," Willis said. "Hes my brother. Im always going to be his biggest fan. Hes my teammate. Im just glad to see him do well. When one of us does well, we all do well. Thats how we think as a team." The crowning moment of Bowmans year came in the regular-season home finale against Atlanta. With the 49ers in danger of losing the final scheduled game at Candlestick Park and having their playoff status put in doubt, Bowman delivered one of the most impressive plays of the season. It started with him blitzing up the middle against Matt Ryan. But after getting the centre to commit, Bowman retreated and was in perfect position when Tramaine Brock broke up a slant pass to Harry Douglas. Bowman grabbed the ball out of the air and ran 89 yards for the touchdown that sealed the 34-24 victory and clinched the playoffs for the Niners. "He just comes up big all the time," defensive lineman Ray McDonald said. "Its paying off for him because hes a hard-working guy, hes always on top of his game." Bowman was at it again in Sundays 23-10 win over Carolina, fighting off two blockers before tackling Cam Newton at the 1 late in the second quarter. After a sack by Brooks and another goal-line stop by Bowman, the Panthers had to settle for a field goal. San Francisco drove for the go-ahead score in the closing seconds of the half and never trailed again. That was the second impressive goal-line stand as Brooks stopped Newton on fourth down from the 1 earlier in the second quarter. Back-to-back sacks by Bowman and Brooks knocked the Panthers out of field goal range in the closing minutes of the third quarter in what proved to be their last chance to stay in the game. Throw in an interception earlier in the game by Willis that set up a field goal, and it was a dominating day. "We take pride on keeping teams out of the end zone," Bowman said. "Theyre going to make big plays, theyre NFL players, too. But if we can hold up at the goal line four downs in a row that lets you know were here to play and its going to be a long day." D.J. Fluker Jersey . -- Syracuse was dangerously close to letting another less talented opponent pull off the upset when C. Dontae Johnson Jersey . Hes even holding a bat on one of his 2014 baseball cards. So far, hes playing like his picture. http://www.seahawksfansofficial.com/seba...ikowski-jersey/. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Raptors have traded forward Steve Novak along with a second-round pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard Diante Garrett - who will then be waived. Dontae Johnson Seahawks Jersey . LOUIS -- The Tampa Bay Rays have placed right-handed pitcher Joel Peralta on the 15-day disabled list with an undisclosed illness. Seattle Seahawks Jerseys .C. -- Eric Staal kept his focus after his apparent breakaway goal was waived off early in the third period.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Nobody expected Julio Jones and Roddy White to be a weak link in the Atlanta Falcons offence.The former Pro Bowl receivers are having unforeseen problems holding onto the football and running crisp routes.All my career Ive made those plays and right now Im not making them, White said Thursday. Its frustrating for me because I feel like Im letting my team down in certain circumstances.When the Falcons (2-4) visit Baltimore (4-2) this weekend, they will bring a running game thats inconsistent for the second straight year and a once-dependable passing attack that struggles to make basic plays.Jones and White, both seemingly healthy after an injury-filled 2013, blame themselves for multiple drops.They each had two in last weeks home loss to Chicago. Levine Toilolo, a second-year tight end who replaced legendary Tony Gonzalez, had three and leads the league with six drops in 21 targets this season.We are taking it upon ourselves, me and Roddy, Jones said. We hold ourselves accountable for those dropped passes. The defenders didnt have anything to do with it. It was just lack of focus and concentration by us.The offence is also without No. 3 receiver Harry Douglas, who was sidelined from practice again Thursday and is likely to miss his fourth straight game with an injured foot.With a broken foot ending Jones season last year after five games and White affected by ankle and hamstring injuries, Douglas caught a career-high 85 passes and surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the first time.Hes in so many personnel groupings and hes really good on the inside and seam routes, White said. Were missing a whole lot with his ability to kind of control the middle of the field. Hopefully we can get him back, if not this week then next week, and well be a whole lot better team.Douglas absence hurts, but the miscues by Jones and White seem worse because both have been elite players at their position.Jones, the No. 6 overall draft pick of 2011, is a tough mmatchup for defenders when hes healthy.dddddddddddd. Linebackers arent fast enough to cover him and defensive backs lack his strength and size.He has undergone surgery on his right foot twice in three years for essentially the same injury, but Jones insists there are no concerns with his health this year. He was limited in practice Thursday with a sore ankle.Its the fundamental elements of receiving are lacking even though he ranks second in the NFL this year in catches and third in yards receiving.I always catch everything with my hands, Jones said. No matter where its at, I try to do my best to catch it with my hands and not let the ball get into my body.White, the Falcons career leader in catches and yards receiving, is taking the setbacks personally and promises a different outcome on Sunday.He acknowledges recently taking his eyes off the ball to gauge where the coverage is. White has been thinking about the move he will make on a defender after catching a pass instead of concentrating on making the play first.Ive got to turn my game around for our team to start playing better, White said. Im a leader on this team and I havent been going out there and playing Roddy White football. Ive got to get back to being myself. Just go out there and cut it loose and whatever happens happens.The Falcons also need to get better production on the ground. A year after finishing last in rushing, they rank 20th, but they averaged just 66 yards in losses the last two weeks.Every week it seems like we take turns at different positions, you know, messing up the games and everything, White said. All 11 guys have to go out there and just do their job. Thats got to be our focus this week.Notes: WR Devin Hester (hamstring) and linebacker Prince Shembo (knee) were limited in practice. ... 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