Giants @ 49ers - NFC Championship Game (1 Viewer)

[Smack Tripper]

Giants fan here and I'm hoping and thinking they can eek out a win. But as we saw first hand, the Niners are no joke. Harbaugh is excellent, Willis is the best LB in football and the D hits and hits hard, and Smith and Davis seem to be peaking. Further, from what I'm reading in this thread the weather looks like it will favor the Niners, so this will be a brawl and a dogfight and all that stuff. But I'm hoping the Giants own little magic carpet ride has a few more puffs in it. Fewell is coaching his butt off right now, as that was terrific gameplanning the past two weeks. I don't think, but can't promise, but I don't think the Giants D the way their playing right now, would let Alex Smith put up two game winning drives in 3 minutes against them.

If Canty and Cruz are both truly healthy and the team stays healthy for the game, I think the Giants can do this, 24-23

 

[meanjoegreen]

I don't think this game will be very entertaining. A lot of pass rush, a few sacks, not much deep ball. 49ers will probably have more success pounding the ball inside and are stronger defensively.

A lot of people said the 49ers vs Saints game wouldn't be entertaining, but that 4th quarter was awesome. I'm looking forward to the battle between these two teams Sunday.

 

[Redwes25]

I don't think this game will be very entertaining. A lot of pass rush, a few sacks, not much deep ball. 49ers will probably have more success pounding the ball inside and are stronger defensively.

Eli is the X factor....

Really? Nothing could be better then a pure physical footbabll game. Hopefully we are in for some classic old school football. This game is going to be a war - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAABWqhNvtg&feature=related

 

[butcher boy]

Updated Weather Alert

AFTER A PROLONGED DRY PERIOD... INDICATIONS ARE THAT A WET WEATHER PATTERN WILL DEVELOP ACROSS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BY THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK AND ACROSS ALL OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL CALIFORNIA BY THE END OF THE WEEK. THE INITIAL WEATHER SYSTEM IS FORECAST TO SPREAD RAIN ACROSS THE NORTH BAY WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THEN SOUTH ACROSS MOST OF THE REST OF THE REGION THURSDAY. RAIN COULD BE HEAVY AT TIMES WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY... MAINLY OVER THE COASTAL HILLS. A SECOND SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO SPREAD MORE RAIN... POSSIBLY HEAVY... ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION INTO THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY. UNSETTLED WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO NEXT WEEK. IN ADDITION TO POSSIBLE HEAVY RAIN... THESE INCOMING WEATHER SYSTEMS MAY PRODUCE LOCALLY STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS AT TIMES DURING THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEK.

 

[Fensalk]

I see a lot of disrespect for the 49ers and too much respect for Eli Manning. I think the 49ers are likely to crush the Giants in this one. Eli throws 3 picks. The 49ers are a damn good football team, and now that they got past the Saints, nothing is probably going to stop them.

 

[houndirish]

Giants fan here ... I'm really struggling to predict this one. Can't help but believe in the Giants based on how they're peaking right now but the same could be said for SF.

I think it's going to be a low scoring affair. I think the edge that isn't being discussed right now is San Francisco's special teams. They have the better kicker, punter and return game. I think Akers factors huge in this game. A quick look at the success the Giants have had in their current run shows that Fewell's scheme is allowing underneath stuff but no big plays. While explosive offenses like NE and GB might grow impatient and force a throw downfield, I think the Niners are perfectly satisfied running the ball and taking the underneath stuff the Giants give them. It will result in some clock eating drives that have the Niners moving the ball down the field but not getting into the end zone. Akers will drill the field goal and the Niners will take the points. The Giants will struggle to move the ball against an exceedingly tough and physical defense but will have moments where they make big plays on the Niners corners. I don't see the run game doing much for NY and the underneath stuff will still be tough sledding versus the Niners LBrs. However Cruz and Nicks can beat the corners if Eli has enough time to deliver the ball. I think it will end up looking like 2 or 3 three and outs for NY followed by a deep drive set up by a big play from the receivers. I think SF wins the time of possession and has more scoring opportunities via field goals but will struggle to find the end zone. Conversely the Giants will struggle to move the ball but have the better conversion rate when they hit the red zone. It means ELI will HAVE to finish drives with TD's becuase the Niners will win a field goal battle. This game will bring back memories of the old NY-SF games that exhibited smashmouth D.

While I think the Giants pass rush will get to Smith at times I don't think he'll unravel into the old Alex Smith. He's been coached up well and is confident enough to handle himself, even if he does turn the ball over once. I think the Giants have the advantage in experience and coaching but I don't think it's as pronounced as it's being made to seem. It kills me to say it but I think SF eeks it out 12-10 on 4 Akers field goals while Tynes misses a makeable one for NY.

 

[kentric]

I'm a Giant fan and although my view may be slanted in that light, I see the Giants winning a close one - either way, its difficult to envision a blow-out either way. Manning is getting alot of love here because he is used to playing in adverse wind conditions and he has shown a maturity and precision that has developed over the past year. The last few years he was constantly throwing the ball high. Mistakes on his part have declined markedly this year. I would expect to see him having a respectable game this Sunday - even under the pressure the 49ers can bring. On the opposite side of the ball, it will be interesting to see how the Giants set up at the beginning of the game. Last game between these two, the Giants were set up to stop the run and the 49ers played the pass from the beginning (well coached IMO). The winner of this game will be the one which has a +2 turnover (you won't need a +3 in this game). If no turnover differential, its pretty even, but with the edge to the Giants.

 

[John Bender]

The only thing I'm hoping for is no bad calls by the refs so we don't have anymore like last weekend

 

[5Rings]

Giants fan here ... I'm really struggling to predict this one. Can't help but believe in the Giants based on how they're peaking right now but the same could be said for SF. I think it's going to be a low scoring affair. I think the edge that isn't being discussed right now is San Francisco's special teams. They have the better kicker, punter and return game. I think Akers factors huge in this game. A quick look at the success the Giants have had in their current run shows that Fewell's scheme is allowing underneath stuff but no big plays. While explosive offenses like NE and GB might grow impatient and force a throw downfield, I think the Niners are perfectly satisfied running the ball and taking the underneath stuff the Giants give them. It will result in some clock eating drives that have the Niners moving the ball down the field but not getting into the end zone. Akers will drill the field goal and the Niners will take the points. The Giants will struggle to move the ball against an exceedingly tough and physical defense but will have moments where they make big plays on the Niners corners. I don't see the run game doing much for NY and the underneath stuff will still be tough sledding versus the Niners LBrs. However Cruz and Nicks can beat the corners if Eli has enough time to deliver the ball. I think it will end up looking like 2 or 3 three and outs for NY followed by a deep drive set up by a big play from the receivers. I think SF wins the time of possession and has more scoring opportunities via field goals but will struggle to find the end zone. Conversely the Giants will struggle to move the ball but have the better conversion rate when they hit the red zone. It means ELI will HAVE to finish drives with TD's becuase the Niners will win a field goal battle. This game will bring back memories of the old NY-SF games that exhibited smashmouth D.While I think the Giants pass rush will get to Smith at times I don't think he'll unravel into the old Alex Smith. He's been coached up well and is confident enough to handle himself, even if he does turn the ball over once. I think the Giants have the advantage in experience and coaching but I don't think it's as pronounced as it's being made to seem. It kills me to say it but I think SF eeks it out 12-10 on 4 Akers field goals while Tynes misses a makeable one for NY.

This is a . Can't disagree with too much you said.I'd bet on the NYG winning though. Niners are lousy. JohnBender--who was last weekend?

 

[chinawildman]

Basically going to come down to whether the Giants run D can stuff the niners running game without overcommitting their DBs. I think what was overlooked in the saints game was that the saints cheated to stop the run because they are so bad on run D, and Smith made them pay for the run blitzes.

GB can't run the ball, and that played very well into the Giants hands. SF is a completely different matchup. If they can run the ball, it will help their scoring in the redzone and they will probably win the game. If the giants can stuff the niners running game, I can see their offense putting up enough TDs to outscore the niners. The team that outrushes the other will win this game, and that plays to the favor of the niners

23-17 SF

 

[Tony Reali]

A lot of people had the Saints/49ers game as a toss-up, but with more people leaning towards the Saints

This could possibly be the most even matchup in the NFCCG possible this year, and honestly I can't even predict anything, especially after what Alex Smith showed last week

 

[houndirish]

Basically going to come down to whether the Giants run D can stuff the niners running game without overcommitting their DBs. I think what was overlooked in the saints game was that the saints cheated to stop the run because they are so bad on run D, and Smith made them pay for the run blitzes.GB can't run the ball, and that played very well into the Giants hands. SF is a completely different matchup. If they can run the ball, it will help their scoring in the redzone and they will probably win the game. If the giants can stuff the niners running game, I can see their offense putting up enough TDs to outscore the niners. The team that outrushes the other will win this game, and that plays to the favor of the niners23-17 SF

I don't think it can be made out to be as simple as the team that outrushes the other wins the game. I think both teams will HAVE to pass at some point because neither will be able to move the ball on the ground. If anything, I'd say the team that can pass the ball better comes out the winner. On that logic it's advantage NY (although I'm still sticking with my prediction above).

 

[footballnerd]

Could this game be better than last week? I think so, see sacks and turnovers on both sides in a crazy defensive game. I predict 15 times Eli will do his blind 180 degree protective move as he flings bombs to Nicks and Cruz with a rusher about to hit him, 3 will be picks. Can't wait to see the outcome of the Jacobs Whitner collision too. Def gotta find a way to get tix to this one.

 

[Fensalk]

Could this game be better than last week? I think so, see sacks and turnovers on both sides in a crazy defensive game. I predict 15 times Eli will do his blind 180 degree protective move as he flings bombs to Nicks and Cruz with a rusher about to hit him, 3 will be picks. Can't wait to see the outcome of the Jacobs Whitner collision too. Def gotta find a way to get tix to this one.

The 49ers are going to harass Eli all day. The Giants OL will be no match for the 49ers pressure.

 

[Fensalk]

This game reminds me of the Steelers going into Candlestick earlier this year. People were like oh yeah this will be a great game. Blowout. Roethlisberger behind an OL getting dominated. Harassed, sacked, 3 picks. 20-3 final.

 

[Breesisdaman]

The 2 seed will win at home. Eli is no match for them.

 

[Bird]

The 2 seed will win at home. Eli is no match for them.

The Saints expose the 49ers 34 -16

Keep trying blind squirrel.....you'll eventually find that nut

 

[Dr. Awesome]

JohnBender--who was last weekend?

There were some horrific calls last weekend but especially in the Packers/Giants game. Fans of football in general were "crying" over some of those calls. Truly a horrendous job by the officials.

 

[harryhood]

The 2 seed will win at home. Eli is no match for them.

The Saints expose the 49ers 34 -16

Keep trying blind squirrel.....you'll eventually find that nut

 

[harryhood]

This game reminds me of the Steelers going into Candlestick earlier this year. People were like oh yeah this will be a great game. Blowout. Roethlisberger behind an OL getting dominated. Harassed, sacked, 3 picks. 20-3 final.

Except the visiting QB is going to have two legs this time, rather than one.

 

[drummer]

JohnBender--who was last weekend?

There were some horrific calls last weekend but especially in the Packers/Giants game. Fans of football in general were "crying" over some of those calls. Truly a horrendous job by the officials.

The officials called a good one for the SF vs. NO though.

 

[goldenchild]

JohnBender--who was last weekend?

There were some horrific calls last weekend but especially in the Packers/Giants game. Fans of football in general were "crying" over some of those calls. Truly a horrendous job by the officials.

The officials called a good one for the SF vs. NO though.

Hope we get the same officiating crew for Sunday!

 

[One]

I voted for the 49ers over the Saints last week, but this week I'd put my money on NYG.

The difference? Pressure on the QB. SF has had problems with teams who apply a lot of QB pressure (DAL & BAL), this week should be no different.

Regardless, it's gonna be a GREAT game. Since I'm a bay area homer, I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Ghost of Bill Walsh]

Well, after the stadium lights go out again before gametime , advantage goes to San Fran Actually the way the weather's supposed to be and the conditions of the field I'd call it even. Good chance whoever has the ball last wins with a FG. In that case I give the edge again to my 49ers. S.F. 24/ NYG 21.

 

[netnalp]

JohnBender--who was last weekend?

There were some horrific calls last weekend but especially in the Packers/Giants game. Fans of football in general were "crying" over some of those calls. Truly a horrendous job by the officials.

The officials called a good one for the SF vs. NO though.

Hope we get the same officiating crew for Sunday!

Ed Hochuli is reffing the Giants-49'ers Game

 

[footballnerd]

Ed Hochuli is reffing the Giants-49'ers Game

 

[gethugefast1]

I cant decide if I'm more scared of a hot Giants team than I was a Saints team with their historic offense.

In favor of the Giants

----------------------

- They've done this before, and are playing as well as they did when the beat the Pats.

- Giants defense held the Packers to 13 non-garbage time points.

In favor of the Niners

----------------------

- Proved last week that a good defense still beats a good offense.

- Home field advantage. It's going to rain all week here in SF, and the field will be sloppy at best.

the field will be sloppy at best... then I'll take the better QB... Giants it is 20-13

 

[Breesisdaman]

The 2 seed will win at home. Eli is no match for them.

The Saints expose the 49ers 34 -16

Keep trying blind squirrel.....you'll eventually find that nut

The giants offense is not the Saints offense my friend. But maybe their defense can do its job better than the saints d did.

 

[Giantseasonticketholder]

The 2 seed will win at home. Eli is no match for them.

The Saints expose the 49ers 34 -16

Keep trying blind squirrel.....you'll eventually find that nut

The giants offense is not the Saints offense my friend. But maybe their defense can do its job better than the saints d did.

Inside, you are absolutely right. Outside, it's a different story.

 

[shadyridr]

The 2 seed will win at home. Eli is no match for them.

The Saints expose the 49ers 34 -16

Keep trying blind squirrel.....you'll eventually find that nut

The giants offense is not the Saints offense my friend. But maybe their defense can do its job better than the saints d did.

lmao at maybe

 

[Jed]

The 2 seed will win at home. Eli is no match for them.

The Saints expose the 49ers 34 -16

Keep trying blind squirrel.....you'll eventually find that nut

The giants offense is not the Saints offense my friend. But maybe their defense can do its job better than the saints d did.

Inside, you are absolutely right. Outside, it's a different story.

 

[bakes]

Ed Hochuli is reffing the Giants-49'ers Game

Good thing it's the late game. After he gets done with his closing arguments after every flag it may well roll into Monday.

 

[David Yudkin]

Based on how teams have been playing recently, it looks like it could be a Patriots / Giants Super Bowl.

All team last 4 games, net points, net yardage, net turnovers.

W	L	Net Pts	Net Yds	Net TONE	4	0	84	419	7NYG	4	0	71	365	7SF	4	0	30	-73	11BAL	3	1	1	-174	3

 

[Kree]

Based on how teams have been playing recently, it looks like it could be a Patriots / Giants Super Bowl.All team last 4 games, net points, net yardage, net turnovers.

W	L	Net Pts	Net Yds	Net TONE	4	0	84	419	7NYG	4	0	71	365	7SF	4	0	30	-73	11BAL	3	1	1	-174	3

NE Schedule - @ Denver, Miami, Buffalo, DenverBalt Schedule - @ San Diego, Cleveland, @ Cincinnati, HoustonSF Schedule - Pittsburgh, @ Seattle, @ St Louis, New OrleansNYG Schedule - @ Jets, Dallas, Atlanta, Green Bay

 

[petenice15]

Whoever wins the turnover battle will most likely win the game. This was obvious over this past weekend and with the weather being up in the air, I would assume this will be the case again this week.

I'm just hoping Big Blue stays hot for 120 more minutes.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

This one is easy, Giants. They are playing exactly the kind of football that wins championships.

 

[Fensalk]

Based on how teams have been playing recently, it looks like it could be a Patriots / Giants Super Bowl.All team last 4 games, net points, net yardage, net turnovers.

W	L	Net Pts	Net Yds	Net TONE	4	0	84	419	7NYG	4	0	71	365	7SF	4	0	30	-73	11BAL	3	1	1	-174	3

NE Schedule - @ Denver, Miami, Buffalo, DenverBalt Schedule - @ San Diego, Cleveland, @ Cincinnati, HoustonSF Schedule - Pittsburgh, @ Seattle, @ St Louis, New OrleansNYG Schedule - @ Jets, Dallas, Atlanta, Green Bay

What you want to do is backtest that idea against prior seasons to see if it means anything.2010:

W        L       Net Pts Net Yds Net TOPIT    3        1       58      826     -2NYJ    3        1       35      280     -4GNB    4        0       67      391     7CHI    3        1       34      53      4

 

[Short Corner]

Based on how teams have been playing recently, it looks like it could be a Patriots / Giants Super Bowl.All team last 4 games, net points, net yardage, net turnovers.

W	L	Net Pts	Net Yds	Net TONE	4	0	84	419	7NYG	4	0	71	365	7SF	4	0	30	-73	11BAL	3	1	1	-174	3

NE Schedule - @ Denver, Miami, Buffalo, DenverBalt Schedule - @ San Diego, Cleveland, @ Cincinnati, HoustonSF Schedule - Pittsburgh, @ Seattle, @ St Louis, New OrleansNYG Schedule - @ Jets, Dallas, Atlanta, Green Bay

What you want to do is backtest that idea against prior seasons to see if it means anything.

Like they did with 'Dogs of the DOW'?

 

[THE SNOWMAN]

I want to see new teams in the Superbowl. Go 49ers.

 

[butcher boy]

This one is easy, Giants. They are playing exactly the kind of football that wins championships.

And the 49ers aren't?

 

[FUBAR]

I want to see new teams in the Superbowl. Go 49ers.

right, because the 49ers franchise would be new to the Super Bowl.

 

[butcher boy]

I want to see new teams in the Superbowl. Go 49ers.

right, because the 49ers franchise would be new to the Super Bowl.

Dude, it's been 17 years since they've been. I know there are teams that have had less success over the years, but give me a break.

 

[Kuz]

Voted for the Giants but think the game will really come down to which defense gets more pressure on the other QB. Could go either way but had the Giants pegged for a similar run as 2008 or whenever it was & sticking with it. Should be a great game.

 

[netnalp]

Jerry Rice calls Brandon Jacobs soft. I can't blame Rice for doing so. Jacobs usually plays better angry because he just hits the hole and doesn't dance around. Jacobs is just the guy to look to prove a point. The only concern is that while Jacobs will use it as motivation to run harder, his chances to fumble probably go up.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Getting more and more pumped for this game.

 

[Jed]

Jerry Rice calls Brandon Jacobs soft. I can't blame Rice for doing so. Jacobs usually plays better angry because he just hits the hole and doesn't dance around. Jacobs is just the guy to look to prove a point. The only concern is that while Jacobs will use it as motivation to run harder, his chances to fumble probably go up.

Jacobs runs with cement shoes, but now he'll be running angry with cement shoes, so I like that.

 

[footballnerd]

Jacobs runs with cement shoes, but now he'll be running angry with cement shoes, so I like that.

into a cement wall, outcome cant be good

 

[netnalp]

Eli left practice early today with a stomach illness.

http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/giants_qb_eli_manning_leaves_p.html

 

[butcher boy]

Eli left practice early today with a stomach illness.http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/giants_qb_eli_manning_leaves_p.html

Probably saw tape of the 49er defense and got nauseous.

 

[eakfootball]

Aldon Smith is the x-factor here. If his pass rush can hurry Eli, we have already seen what the run D can do. Smith is following the career path of Jason Pierre-Paul, and is much farther along than Pierre-Paul was after his rookie year. Smith and JPP will be known as the 2 elite pass rushers in the league in 2 or 3 years.