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Sports 1B Wednesday December 25, 2013 49ers surging during stretch run SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — For everyone who figured the San Francisco 49ers might stumble after reaching the Super Bowl considering their tougher schedule, added pressure and a much-improved division nemesis, the reigning NFC champions are headed back to the playoffs. With plenty of momentum. Despite a pair of earlier two-game skids, they still have a chance at another NFC West crown, if all goes right in Week 17. Not too far off from the way they hoped it would go down the December stretch. San Francisco (11-4) is riding a five-game winning streak after a thrilling 34-24 win against Atlanta on Monday night. If the Niners win at Arizona on Sunday and Seattle loses at home to St. Louis, they would capture a third straight division crown in improbable fashion. ''It means a lot,'' linebacker Patrick Willis said. ''One of the things we talked about all year is that we knew what it was going to be like. Everybody expected us to just coast right through the season and be easy. But as you know we went through a little bit of adversity, and people were like, 'Well, maybe they're not the team that we thought they were.' But we just stayed together and we have another chance now to go make something happen.'' In a ceremonious and nostalgic send off for Candlestick Park's regular-season finale — with the football and baseball dignitaries of past decades in the house — fans departed from Candlestick Point late Monday with a glimmer of hope there still might be one more game in the iconic venue. It would happen if the 49ers win, Seahawks lose and Carolina falls at Atlanta. Such a scenario seemed an afterthought only a few weeks back, when San Francisco was 8-4, the Seahawks (12-3) sat at 11-1 and were poised to be the runaway NFC West winner. There was a time the 49ers were in jeopardy of missing the playoffs altogether. ''It's great, especially to get the win that gets us back in the tournament, to get back where we left off last year, and hopefully we can get the job done,'' running back Frank Gore said. ''That was a great win, and it took all of us to get the job done, and I think that's what it's going to take for us to move forward to get it in this tournament. It's going to take all of us to make plays to get back to where we left off last year.'' Things can change fast in this league. Just when the Falcons were driving with a chance to win after Matt Ryan led two late touchdown drives, Tramaine Brock broke up a pass to Pryor backs off agent's critique of Raiders ALAMEDA (AP) — Terrelle Pryor backed off comments his agent made accusing the Oakland Raiders of putting him in a position to fail by putting him back in the starting lineup for Sunday's season finale against Denver. Agent Jerome Stanley told CSN Bay Area on Monday night he believed coach Dennis Allen hopes Pryor struggles as starter on Sunday to justify the decision to play Matt McGloin the past five weeks — even after Pryor recovered from a sprained knee. The Raiders (4-11) lost all five games after McGloin won his debut start in place on an injured Pryor, extending their streak of non-winning seasons to 11. Pryor apologized on Twitter and in a conversation with Allen for the comments shortly after they came out. 30 arrests during 49ers game at Candlestick SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Police made 30 arrests during the 49ers final regular season game at Candlestick Park on Monday, police said. Most of the arrests were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium, Sgt. Eric O'Neal said. Police had to transport suspects to smaller lockups at district police stations because San Francisco's jail became so full at one point, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. An additional 81 people were ejected and seven people cited, police said. One person suffered a minor head injury, the Chronicle reported. Still, O'Neal said the event went well overall. Police Chief Greg Suhr had said earlier that fans could expect 50 percent more officers at Monday's game than a regular night game. ''For such a large number of people, there were a very small number of arrests,'' O'Neal said. ''We're very pleased with that.'' The sell-out crowd of about 70,000 people was supplemented by tailgaters and officials. The 49ers beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-24 to clinch a playoff spot in a wild finish that included an interception. There were fireworks and a musical performance after the game. The Niners began playing at The Stick in 1971. The team is moving to a new, $1.2 billion stadium next season. Tehama Tracker Today's schedule NBA L.A. Clippers at Golden State, 7:30 p.m. Corning at Orland, 7 p.m. Sports on TV MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL • 3:30 p.m., ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic, third place game, teams TBD, at Honolulu • 5:30 p.m., ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic, championship, teams TBD, at Honolulu NBA • 9 a.m., ESPN — Chicago at Brooklyn • 11:30 a.m., ABC — Oklahoma City at New York • 2 p.m., ABC — Miami at L.A. Lakers • 5 p.m., ESPN — Houston at San Antonio • 7:30 p.m., ESPN — L.A. Clippers at Golden State AP photo San Francisco's NaVorro Bowman dives into the end zone after returning an interception 89 yards for a touchdown during the 49ers playoff clinching win Monday against the Atlanta Falcons. Harry Douglas. Linebacker NaVorro Bowman grabbed the ball for an interception and ran 89 yards for a touchdown with 2:09 remaining. ''I was, and still am, happier than a pig in slop,'' coach Jim Harbaugh said on two occasions Monday, revealing a new catchphrase one day after celebrating his 50th birthday with a wild, crucial win. Nobody wanted to lose in a festive farewell for The Stick. Afterward, 49ers CEO Jed York scurried up on stage in the north end zone to stand alongside his successful uncle, former owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. In that moment, with a sellout crowd cheering, the past and future of a storied franchise stood together with the same mission of winning Super Bowls for years to come. DeBartolo, the honorary captain for Candlestick Park's likely last hurrah, handed the game ball to York. Then, a fireworks show followed, with Boyz II Men playing ''It's So Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday'' in a concert fitting of the iconic venue that hosted the Beatles' final gig. The 49ers hope there is much more to cheer before the season ends. For months last winter, and into spring and summer offseason workouts, the 49ers were stung by how close they came to the franchise's sixth championship. San Francisco lost 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens, missing three chances from the 5-yard line with less than 2 minutes remaining. The loss snapped San Francisco's perfect 5-0 Super Bowl record. DeBartolo has no problem making bold predictions about this year's team. ''This team is on a mission, I can see it,'' he said. ''I think they're a team of destiny this year. There will be no first-and-goal on the 5. They're going. They're going to win the Super Bowl.'' Bad luck, bad play leave NBA weak Christmas slate NEW YORK (AP) — If the NBA had a Christmas wish, it might be for a different holiday schedule. The one that was drawn up seemed strong enough when it was released, a potentially dynamite fivegame treat from noon through night, packed with superstar scorers and championship contenders. But like an old Christmas sweater, it doesn't look nearly as good now that time has passed. Back luck and bad play have wrecked a number of teams the league picked to showcase. Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant and Brook Lopez are all sitting out, as are Indiana and Portland, who share the NBA's best record. But hey, there's two 9-18 teams and one that's 10-16. The Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers got the late afternoon marquee time slot, but it's certainly no marquee attraction now that it won't feature a LeBron JamesBryant duel. ''That's probably not the matchup they wanted,'' Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. The schedule is such a letdown that not until the fourth game will two winning teams meet, when Houston visits San Antonio. Rivers' team travels to Golden State in the nightcap. Before that, Chicago, Brooklyn and New York all get TV time, all chosen for the honor long before anyone could have known they would sometimes look unwatchable. ''Those things are done way ahead of time. You just hope for the best matchups. Unfortunately, the Derrick Rose injury puts Chicago in a tough spot. Brooklyn and New York have not played particularly well,'' said Jeff AP file photo Stephen Curry and the Warriors play the L.A. Clippers 7:30 p.m. Christmas. Van Gundy, who will work the Heat-Lakers game on ABC. ''But I still think people will watch. It's Christmas Day, and people still care deeply about the Bulls and about the Knicks, even though they haven't played particularly well of late.'' Christmas is something of a second opening day for the NBA, often the first time a national audience begins paying attention as football nears its conclusion. The league decided to capitalize a few years back by increasing to a five-game schedule that begins at noon EST. The Christmas games have averaged more than 33 million U.S. viewers over the last three years, so Van Gundy is probably right about the fans still tuning in, even for a matchup that looks as ugly as those sleeved jerseys the players will be wearing. ''On the NFL, I've seen plenty of weak Thanksgiving games, but we still watch,'' Rivers said. ''Now it's becoming basketball on Christmas. That's the good part, that the NBA has found that niche.'' After Chicago (10-16) and Brooklyn (9-18) meet in the opener, Oklahoma City visits New York, matching the NBA's top two scorers in Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony — provided Anthony's left ankle is OK after he sprained it Monday at Orlando. The Knicks are a Christmas tradition, making their league-high 49th appearance, and the league hopes they'll provide a big audience despite their 9-18 record. Injuries have hit hard around the NBA and the Christmas lineup is no exception. With Rose and the Lakers' Steve Nash out, two of the six players in the league's holiday jingle ad touting the games and the special uniforms won't be playing. With Bryant also injured and unable to extend his NBA record for Christmas Day appearances to 16, it's a chance for the lesser-known Lakers to enjoy the spotlight during what's shaping up as a rare season of irrelevance for one of the league's storied franchises. ''Any time a team plays on the Christmas schedule, teams have an opportunity to display their talent — whoever is suiting up for you,'' ESPN analyst Hubie Brown said. ''It just seems that teams play, even though they might not be playing to a high won-loss record, they will play to their maximum potential because of the audience that is expected to watch the games on Christmas.'' So maybe Wednesday one of those lowly East teams finally plays to its reputation — even if only to spare themselves embarrassment in front of viewership they may not earn again this season. ''Christmas is a special day,'' Brooklyn's Jason Terry said. ''This is a great opportunity to come up in here against a team like Chicago who is going to make you play hard each and every possession.''