vs.
Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, Candlestick Park
The Offenses
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| Smith |
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| Manning |
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| Gore |
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| Bradshaw |
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| Hunter |
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| Jacobs |
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| Crabtree |
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| Nicks |
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| Williams |
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| Cruz |
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| Davis |
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| Ballard |
The clouds are moving in on the bay area, so the storm is a brewing for a showdown of epic proportion.
The quarterback play of efficient and rising star
Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers has put this team deep in the playoffs. In last week's win over the favorite
New Orleans Saints Alex threw for 299 yards and 3 touchdowns eliminating them from contention! In the regular season they were ranked 29th in passing and 8th in rushing. I guess we can throw those stats out the window going into this game.
Frank Gore and
Kendall Hunter will have a tough task in getting time for Smith to slice the secondary by grinding out the 3rd and three's all day! The talents are there and the defense seems susceptible against the run, it could be a good day for rushers. If they can keep the pressure off of Smith look for some action to
Michael Crabtree the only real deep threat in the receiving corps.
Ted Ginn Jr. may be out so
Kyle Williams may see a few targets if a double team frees him up for a touch. The shining star in the catch department is
Vernon Davis. In the Saints game he let the world know that in catching 7 balls for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns. If he repeats that against the Giants they will be scratching their heads for answers to how to stop this beast.
The New York Giants media has finally embraced their star quarterback,
Eli Manning and realized he has all of the intangibles to make this happen again a run at the Super Bowl. He carved up the Packers and finished the regular season with 4933 yards just missing being in the
5000 club. The passing offense they were ranked 5th overall in the regular season. The talented receivers made all of the difference
Hakeem Nicks (the veteran),
Victor Cruz (the rookie highlight) and
Mario Manningham (the equalizer) have made Manning's job easier. The three combined in the regular season for 3,251 yards and 20 touchdowns. The trio did a lot considering the running offense was no slouch.
Ahmad Bradshaw hurt some this season only getting 171 plays his was still managed 659 yards and 9 touchdowns. While Bradshaw missed a few games,
Brandon Jacobs filled in for 571 yards and 7 touchdowns giving the balance offense what it needed to succeed. Keeping the short game honest and giving better pass protection was
Jake Ballard, a pleasant surprise. He not only did the protecting but also caught 60 passes for 604 yards and 4 touchdowns. The 49ers defensive schemes will need to see all of the possibilities of offense the Giants will be bringing.
The Defenses
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| Willis |
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| Rolle |
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| Tuck |
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| Bowman |
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| J. Smith |
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| Umenyiora |
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| A. Smith |
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| Pierre-Paul |
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| Rodgers |
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| Boley |
The number one ranked rushing defense in the 2011 season was the San Francisco 49ers! The 928 tackles, 42 sacks, 23 interceptions and 20 fumbles has gotten it done all year. Leading the way in the 3-4 defense was LILB
NaVorro Bowan with 143 total tackles and RILB
Patrick Willis with 97 total tackles shoring up the middle, making Giants' Bradshaw and Jacobs nightmares come true. ROLB
Aldon Smith and his 14 sacks led the team and RDE
Justin Smith followed with 7.5 getting to Manning may seem a little tough. Just in case the ball does get to the secondary because the run may fail corner back
Carlos Rodgers, leader with 6 regular seasons interceptions, will have to make sure Crabtree see little pigskin all day!
The Giant's defense has been healthy lately and swarming all over the field and making havoc on the opposing quarterbacks, as defeated
Aaron Rodgers will attest to from last week's performance.
Justin Tuck is back and his five regular season sacks are misleading to any novice reader, but as we know his presence will be known in this conference game.
Antrel Rolle's 96 tackles led the team and
Michael Boley just missed that mark with 93 tackles that should be able to slow down the 49ers running ability. A healthy
Osi Umenyiora with 9 regular season sacks and
Jason Pierre-Paul and his outstanding 16.5 sacks will have pressure all day on Smith. Every angle, scheme and heart will be used to attack Smith to have the ability to disrupt his timing and get to him for the sack.
PREDICTION
This blood bath will be the toughest call in the playoffs so far. Can the Giants run at all on the 49ers? Will Smith be able to find any passing yards? Will both coaches find ways to score? What about the proposed rainy weather will it play a factor? All matters in I will pick...
Giants-17 and 49ers-14
Here is the football babe cheering section!(Check out Marissa Miller wearing 49ers gear)
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