2012 NFC Conference Championship San Francisco 49ers vs New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers 

vs. 

New York Giants

Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, Candlestick Park

The Offenses

Smith

Manning

Gore

Bradshaw

Hunter

Jacobs

Crabtree

Nicks

Williams

Cruz

Davis

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

Willis

Rolle

Tuck

Bowman

J. Smith

Umenyiora

A. Smith

Pierre-Paul

Rodgers

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

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2012 NFL NFC Wild Card Playoff Matchup: Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants

New York Giants vs. Atlanta Falcons 

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Metlife Stadium

This game will be the first playoff game in Metlife Stadium and the first playoff game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Giants in history. We have two solid quarterbacks heading into the game Sunday. Pro Bowler Giant's quarterback Eli Manning just missed being in the 5000 club with Brees, Stafford and Brady with 4933 yards passing. He did set an NFL record with 15 fourth quarter touchdowns, so watch for the late in the game heroics. They both threw for 29 touchdown passes in the regular season tying for sixth in the NFL. The 10-6 Falcon's Matt Ryan passed for 4,177 yards and had a passer rating of 92.2 both career highs. Leading his team with a balanced controlled offense. He will need to cut down on the chance of interceptions in the playoffs, the 12 he had in regular season could haunt him. With playing the averages it will be a duel to watch between these two talented quarterbacks.

Advantage  - Draw


Eli Manning



Matt Ryan





The backfield of the Giants will have a balanced look with Ahmad Bradshaw healthy and Brandon Jacobs grinding out the tough yards the Atlanta defense will have to pay attention to the running game. The two backs carried 323 times during the season combined and rushed for 1230 yards from scrimmage. The injury to Bradshaw slowed him down but at full strength going into Sunday we should see touches that count!

Atlanta has the back of the game with Michael "Burner" Turner he was third in rushing in the NFL with 1340 yards rushing. A downhill runner that loves to run between the shoulder pads of the tackles just hammers the defensive line and gets their eyes focused on him and not Ryan who will be seeing pressure all day from the blitzing defensive rushers of the Giants. Turner wants to redeem himself. Over the last two years in the playoffs he has only rushed for 81 yards on 28 carries. Jacquizz Rodgers should see limited time like he did all year with only 208 yards rushing.

Slight Advantage - Falcons

Bradshaw

Turner



Jacobs

Rodgers





The talent on both sides of the ball are in their young and experienced receivers. Hakeem Nicks the leader on the Giants had a down year but still ended up with 1192 yards receiving and 7 touchdown grabs. His superstar status and experience rubbed off on the speedy rookie Victor Cruz who in the last few games became a target for Manning on long throws and touchdowns. The balance between the two receivers separates the field in halves and causes defenses to second guess doubling teaming. Cruz went on to a regular season 82 receptions, 1,536 yards and 9 touchdowns. Beware secondary!

Hold on to your chin straps Giants secondary. The Falcons have some speed and size that can make match ups almost impossible. Like the Giants they have a Pro Bowl receiver in Roddy White that loves to catch the ball, his 100 receptions proves it. The balanced offense and the emergence of rookie Julio Jones in the latter half of the year stymied White's ability to shine brighter. The payoff was a trip to the playoffs and a 10-6 record. Jones's payoff was the 959 yards receiving and showcasing his ability on the big stage. Both receiving corps have what it takes to win!



 Advantage - Draw



Nicks

White



Cruz

Jones

Prediction Giants 17- Falcons 10

*Defense*

So fans lets stand up and cheer for your team to win!