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49ers bring in another kicker

 
The Patriots celebrate Billy Cundiff’s missed late tying field goal in the AFC title game for the Ravens. Cundiff signs with the 49ers.
The Patriots celebrate Billy Cundiff’s missed late tying field goal in the AFC title game for the Ravens. Cundiff signs with the 49ers.
Published Jan. 2, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO — The 49ers signed K Billy Cundiff to compete with struggling veteran David Akers on Tuesday.

"He's thrilled with the opportunity to be in a position to help the team in any way he can this postseason," Paul Sheehy, Cundiff's agent, said. "It's a great opportunity with a great organization."

San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh was unavailable for comment but said Monday he planned to try out kickers.

Akers made 44 of 52 field goals last season but is 29-of-42 this season. He is only 7-of-13 from 40-49 yards and missed wide left twice from that range Sunday.

Cundiff missed a tying 32-yard field goal for Baltimore in the final minute of last season's AFC title game loss. He was released at the end of training camp and signed by the Redskins. But they released him Oct. 9 after he made only 7 of 12 field goals.

Packers: S Charles Woodson, out since breaking his collarbone Oct. 21, has been cleared to play.

Seahawks: Seemingly unbeatable at home, the road, especially in the postseason, has been a different tale for the Seahawks. It has been 29 years since they won a playoff game on the road. They've lost eight straight dating to Dec. 31, 1983. Sunday, Seattle plays at Washington.

"If you want to be a good team, you definitely have to be able to win on the road," DE Red Bryant said.

The skid includes three overtime games: 23-20 to Houston in January 1998, 33-27 to Green Bay in January 2004 (when QB Matt Hasselbeck won the coin toss, said, "We want the ball and we're going to score," and threw an interception returned for a touchdown) and 27-24 to Chicago in January 2007.

Coach Pete Carroll said the challenge is not getting wrapped up in playing on the road.

"There's always a kind of air about (the playoffs) that you can sense it's different," he said. "But the key is not allowing that to factor into what it really takes to prepare well and not miss the message."