Ezra Shaw/Scott Boehm/Getty Images(SAN FRANCISCO
The rematch of last year’s NFC title game will be hyped up as the game of the entire weekend since the Niners defense is nearly reminiscent of the 1985 Bears in terms of overall freaks.
The players they have are simply better than your players on offense, and they can terrorize all of your playmakers.
Statistics will back up this defense and there is no stopping them if they can remain healthy (and the offense doesn’t go back to turning it over).
The Niners are second against the pass (181.2), seventh against the run (81.4), second in yards allowed (262.6) and first in points allowed per game (13.6).
NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis, Carlos Rogers, Donte Whitner, DaShon Goldson, Aldon Smith, Tarell Brown, Ahmad Brooks, Chris Culliver, Ray McDonald and Justin Smith might be the most devastating defense in a long time.
The Giants have had arguably a better pass rush, but their secondary and linebackers do not have the heavy hitters that these Niners possess.
The overall team speed is scary good and it essentially comes down to the offense on whether or not they will be playing in February.
Alex Smith (finger) looks to be healthy after suffering a scare with his injured right middle finger, but the playmakers around him have never been this amazing.
Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham, Randy Moss, Frank Gore are more than capable enough to carry their own weight. While the defense clearly is ahead of the offense, they have that Super Bowl defense that gives this offense an opportunity to always be a step ahead of opposing defenses with great field position.
Smith currently has a 108.7 passer rating, which leads the NFL and that in itself is a tremendous stepping stone.
San Francisco remains one of the frontrunners to win the Super Bowl (only Texans have better odds), but a team like Houston just arguably their second or third most important player on its defense with Brian Cushing (ACL) going down for the year.
In this matchup, Eli Manning will have to continue to put up MVP-like numbers if the G-Men are going to have even a chance.
Hakeem Nicks (knee) is expected to play albeit it will be intriguing to see how well he plays and how much exactly.
Victor Cruz is coming off a 3 TD performance, but the running game could be what makes this a stiff challenge for the Niners. Ahmad Bradshaw is coming off a 200-yard performance against the Browns, but nobody has been able to run against the Niners and nothing may change after this weekend.
The New York defense has to completely bottle up the running game and force a few Alex Smith turnovers because their offense will not be on the field enough to put up a ton of points.
Hitting a few home runs against the Niners secondary (like last year’s NFC title game) is vital, but the pressure is far too ferocious to sit back an relax in the pocket before heaving a few bombs down the field.
San Francisco will look to make a major statement in this game at home, and they will not disappoint.
Network: FOX (713)
Time: 4:25 p.m. Eastern
Experts Pick: Niners by 6.5
Danny V’s Pick: Niners 30, Giants 20
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