Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch celebrates after running for a 31-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

[The Portland Tribune]

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch celebrates after running for a 31-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch celebrates after running for a 31-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
As go their top running backs, so go the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.Marshawn Lynch of Seattle and Frank Gore of San Francisco, like two veteran prize fighters, have dished out and taken their lumps to and from opposing NFL defenses over the year years.And both are bound to be featured components in the 3:30 p.m. Sunday NFC championship showdown at CenturyLink Field.

The winning team advances to the Feb. 2 Super Bowl at East Rutherford, N.J., to face the AFC champion, either New England or Denver.

Lynch is a bit younger than Gore, and has had slightly better results overall this season.

The Seahawks held Gore to 16 yards rushing — and Lynch scored three touchdowns, two on the ground — as they won 29-3 early in the regular season at Seattle.

But Gore’s 110 yards in the late-season rematch at Candlestick Park helped the 49ers prevail 19-17. His 51-yard burst in the fourth quarter set up the winning field goal by Phil Dawson.

Since 2009, Gore and the 49ers are 5-4 against the Seahawks — and Gore has run for 590 yards in the five wins but only 107 yards in the four losses (missing one game with an injury).

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