The San Francisco 49ers meet the New York Giants to determine the NFC representative in Super Bowl XLVI. The 49ers reached the NFC Championship game with a 36-32 win over the New Orleans Saints. The Giants qualified for the third round of the playoffs by dismantling the Green Bay Packers 37-20 at Lambeau Field. Both teams faced each other 35 times, including seven times in the postseason. The 49ers lead the series 18-17 overall and won four of the seven playoff encounters. Both sides met in the NFC Championship game in 1990, with the Giants winning 15-13. This is San Francisco’s 13^th NFC Championship game and the first since 1997. On five occasions they advanced to the Super Bowl. Both teams last met in week 10, with the Niners winning 27-20 at The Stick.

The 49ers listed six players as questionable on their final injury report. C Jonathan Goodwin (calf), RCB Tarell Brown (thigh), RILB Patrick Willis (knee), FS Dashon Goldson (ankle) and TE Delanie Walker (jaw) are expected to play. WR Ted Ginn Jr. (knee) didn’t practice all week and will likely be unavailable. WR Kyle Williams will start alongside WR Michael Crabtree and return punts. RB Kendall Hunter will be responsible for returning kick-offs.

TE Jake Ballard is New York’s only concern. He is suffering from a knee injury and will be a game-time decision. TE Travis Beckum and TE Bear Pascoe would replace him if he couldn’t play. C David Baas (illness), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), LE Justin Tuck (shoulder), RE Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee), CB Corey Webster (hamstring), WR Hakeem Nicks (ankle) and QB Eli Manning (illness) are listed as probable and expected to play.

The New York Giants improved in all aspects of the game in the postseason and finally found a running game. Ahmad Bradshaw and RB Brandon Jacobs share the workload and average 4.9 yards per carry and 5.0 yards respectively, as opposed to 3.9 yards and 3.8 yards in the regular season. Pro Bowler Eli Manning completed 67.7% of his passes and has thrown for 6 touchdowns and 1 interception in the playoffs. Hakeem Nicks (13 receptions), Ahmad Bradshaw (8), WR Victor Cruz (7) and WR Mario Manningham (7) are his favorite targets. Victor Cruz, who had 1,536 receiving yards in the regular season, and Hakeem Nicks, 1,192 yards, are a constant threat to make a big play. New York’s offensive line did a good job protecting Eli Manning in the regular season and continues this trend in the postseason as well. New York’s ferocious pass rush hasn’t slowed down in the postseason either, though Justin Tuck and Pro Bowl RE Jason Pierre-Paul are still without a sack. Osi Umenyiora, who had 9 sacks in the regular season, leads the team in the postseason with 3 sacks. CB Corey Webster (6), SS Kenny Phillips (4) and CB Aaron Ross (4) recorded the most interceptions for the Giants in the regular season but S Deon Grant is the only Giants player who intercepted a pass in the postseason.   

Keys to Success

Mix the passing plays up and use slants, play action and screen passes to beat the pass rush.

Establish a running game with RB Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter as one-two-punch and wear the defense down.

The tight ends will play a big role in the passing game as well as additional blockers against the pass rush.

Win the battle in the trenches and contain the pass rush.

Stop the run and make New York’s offense one-dimensional.

LE Ray McDonald and LOLB Ahmad Brooks should get opportunities to put pressure on Eli Manning.

Play the safeties deep to prevent Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz from making big plays.

Special teams has to nail down New York deep in their own territory and generate good field positions for the Niners.

Control the clock.

Force turnovers.

Probable Starters

Offense: QB Alex Smith, RB Frank Gore, FB Bruce Miller, WR Michael Crabtree, WR Kyle Williams, TE Vernon Davis, LT Joe Staley, LG Mike Iupati, C Jonathan Goodwin, RG Adam Snyder, RT Anthony Davis.

Defense: LE Ray McDonald, NT Isaac Sopoaga, RE Justin Smith, LOLB Ahmad Brooks, LILB NaVorro Bowman, RILB Patrick Willis, ROLB Parys Haralson, LCB Carlos Rogers, SS Donte Whitner, FS Dashon Goldson, LCB Tarell Brown.

Prediction

San Francisco 49ers v New York Giants 24-20

Playoff time has finally returned to San Francisco after an absence of nine years. The New Orleans Saints beat the Detroit Lions 45-28 in the Wildcard Playoffs to advance to the Divisional Playoffs, where they face the San Francisco 49ers, who had a first-round bye and got an extra week of rest. Both teams couldn’t be more different. The 49ers rely on an impenetrable defense, whereas the Saints possess a nearly unstoppable offense. This is the first time the 49ers and Saints meet in the postseason. Both teams used to play against each other twice a season before the realignment of the divisions in 2002. In 71 regular season meetings the 49ers hold a 45-24-2 edge over the Saints, though New Orleans won the last six games. Both sides last met, preseason excluded, in 2010, when the Saints spoiled San Francisco’s home opener 25-22.

The 49ers listed five players as questionable, which means TE Delanie Walker’s (jaw) injury has been upgraded, though he has already been ruled out. WR Ted Ginn Jr. (ankle), WR Kyle Williams (concussion) and LE Ray McDonald (hamstring) were limited participants in practice throughout the week but are expected to play. CB Chris Culliver is the biggest concern. He practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday and Thursday, due to a knee injury, but sat out Friday’s practice with an illness, probably the flu. San Francisco needs a healthy number-three cornerback, as they will be in the nickel formation a lot. Signs point towards him playing but CB Tramaine Brock and CB Shawntae Spencer could see an extended amount of snaps as well. 

The New Orleans Saints ruled out WR Lance Moore, who is still suffering from a hamstring injury. Moore missed the wildcard playoff game against the Detroit Lions as well. SS Roman Harper (ankle), MLB Jonathan Vilma (knee) and WR Robert Meachem (knee) are listed as probable but each of them will play and start.   

The New Orleans Saints and QB Drew Brees showed last week that they have no intention of slowing down their record-setting passing offense. The Saints amassed 466 yards through the air and an additional 167 yards on the ground. New Orleans uses multiple receiver sets but TE Jimmy Graham and RB Darren Sproles are just as important as WR Marques Colston and Robert Meachem. New Orleans’ rushing offense is no less unpredictable. Darren Sproles (6.9 yards per carry in the regular season), RB Pierre Thomas (5.1 yards) and RB Christopher Ivory (4.7 yards) can all run for yardage and make sure that the running game never gets tired. Sproles and Thomas rushed for more than 5 yards per carry each against the Lions. New Orleans’ offensive line is one of the best in the league and allowed only 24 sacks in the regular season plus two against the Lions. LT Jermon Bushrod, LG Carl Nicks and RG Jahri Evans will all go to the Pro Bowl. RE Will Smith is the team’s most dangerous pass rusher. He recorded 6.5 sacks in the regular season, but New Orleans’ blitz-heavy defense enabled Roman Harper to sack opposing quarterbacks 7.5 times during the regular season. CB Patrick Robinson, who isn’t even a starter, led the team with 4 interceptions in the regular season. CB Jabari Greer, who recorded one pick during the regular season, intercepted Matt Stafford twice last week.

Keys to Success

Beat the blitz by using quick passing plays like slants, screens etc.

Wear the defense down with RB Frank Gore and RB Kendall Hunter.

WR Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon have to continue to carry the main responsibility in the receiving game.

Frequent use of two-tight end sets.

Pressure Drew Brees. If he has enough time to see the entire field he will almost certainly beat you. Ray McDonald and LOLB Ahmad Brooks will play a vital role.

Move OLB Aldon Smith around at the line.

Never let Darren Sproles out of your sight.

Play the safeties deep to support the cornerbacks.

Win the special teams phase of the game. Drew Brees can overcome any distance at will but why make it easy for him when you can make it difficult and have him start the drive near his own endzone? Field position will play a big role for the Niners.

Control the clock. Every minute Drew Brees is on the sidelines is a minute the Saints are less likely to score.

Avoid turnovers.

Probable Starters

Offense: QB Alex Smith, RB Frank Gore, FB Bruce Miller, WR Michael Crabtree, WR Kyle Williams, TE Vernon Davis, LT Joe Staley, LG Mike Iupati, C Jonathan Goodwin, RG Adam Snyder, RT Anthony Davis.

Defense: LE Ray McDonald, DT Isaac Sopoaga, RE Justin Smith, LOLB Ahmad Brooks, LILB NaVorro Bowman, RILB Patrick Willis, ROLB Parys Haralson, LCB Carlos Rogers, SS Donte Whitner, FS Dashon Goldson, RCB Tarell Brown.

Prediction

It’s hard to pick a winner in this game but since I have to I sincerely hope I am wrong.

San Francisco 49ers v New Orleans Saints 23-24