Preview: Giants at 49ers

by Brandon on Jan 20, 2012 10:00 AM CST in Green Bay Packers Preview

I'm not a big fan of the 49ers, but the wound from last week's loss is still raw and I can't root for the Giants. So I'm hoping the 49ers win. But will they?

The Giants are the most frustrating team to predict. After being outscored during the regular season (394 points scored vs. 400 points allowed) and only beating one playoff bound team during the regular season (24-20 over the Patriots), they've won their first two playoff games by comfortable margins. They remind me of a couple of recent teams.

The 2003 Panthers. Despite an 11-5 regular season record, they were only the 17th best team according to Football Outsiders. It wasn't surprising to see them beat the Cowboys at home, but then they went on the road to beat the Rams and Eagles.

The 2008 Cardinals. They were helped by the fact that the defending Super Bowl champs and top seed (Giants) got bounced in the divisional round. I didn't expect the Cardinals would win a single playoff game. Instead they made a run to the Super Bowl, and were a James Harrison pick-six away from winning it all.

Back on November 13th, the Giants lost in San Francisco by a score of 27-20. But it showed how they can win this game. They have to win the turnover battle, which has been one of the secrets to their success (one turnover in their two wins). And, just as they focused on beating Finley last week, they have to do the same to Vernon Davis, who crushed the Saints last week and had a 31 yard touchdown catch in their earlier meeting.

Still, I expect the 49ers to win. However, with the way I've been picking games so far, I guess that means the Giants will win.

Poll

Who will win on Sunday?

49ers

161 votes

Giants

104 votes

265 votes | Poll has closed

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Hate the Giants... Hate the Patriots... Hoping for a Harbaugh SB!!!

But would rather talk about the Packers… FA… & THE DRAFT!!!! : )

"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!

GO PACK GO!!!

by BirdDogUni on Jan 20, 2012 10:08 AM CST reply actions

Same here. I’m not a big 49ers guy either though…I still have lingering bitterness at them and the Cowboys from the early 90s.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Jan 21, 2012 8:43 AM CST up reply actions

Harbaugh Super Bowl

with John winning.

Time for the Niners to taste their first Super Bowl defeat!
(one more reason to root for SF over NY)

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"We're nobody's underdog!"

"We don't play scared!"

After further review,
the Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Jan 22, 2012 3:08 AM CST up reply actions

49ers D

I think the only way the 49ers lose is if their D takes a serious step back from last week. If they can play like they did against the Saints the niners should have a heyday.

by holsteinhill on Jan 20, 2012 11:26 AM CST reply actions

I'm with you Brandon..

Still bitter about it! lol Let’s go Niners

*Proud Packers shareholder*
With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg!

by RaY210 on Jan 20, 2012 12:41 PM CST reply actions

But how good did the Giants actually do at this?

And, just as they focused on beating Finley last week, they have to do the same to Vernon Davis

If it wasn’t for the drops Finley may have had a big game against them. Not as big as Davis had against the Saints of course, but still may of had a big impact. It’s hard to say how good the Giants did against him because of the drops.

Go Niners!

December, 7 1941 may be a day that lives in infamy, but December 6, 2011 is a day that will live in AWESOMENESS!!! The day I became part owner of the Green Bay Packers!

In Cheese We Trust

by Zundar on Jan 20, 2012 2:13 PM CST reply actions

We gave the Giants that game last week

Not saying New York didn’t deserve that win, but clearly two things work tremendously in New York’s favor when they do win: Turnovers and line play. If they get pressure on the quarterback and limit offensive possessions, they have a good enough offense to come away with at least 3 points a drive.

San Francisco’s defense is much, much better than Green Bay’s and New York has not faced a pass rush like they will against the Niners all postseason. Drew Brees and that prolific Saints offense was having a hell of a time in the first half against them and it’ll be even more hell for a less talented offense. San Francisco’s offense is solid but unspectacular, and they were the best in the league at forcing turnovers without giving them away, first in both categories (although Green Bay was tied with them in takeaways and 2nd in giveaways, so who knows). If San Francisco stays focused and keeps it together, they should smack the Giants down and go for a sixth Super Bowl. For what it’s worth even if we had somehow limited our turnovers and beat the Giants to face San Francisco, I think we would’ve lost to them as well. Only NFC teams I felt comfortable about beating in the postseason were New Orleans (in a shootout) and the wildcard teams.

by vitaminx on Jan 20, 2012 4:56 PM CST reply actions

i'll go with most of what you said

cept the smacking down part. i think it’ll be close, and if the niners beat us, it’ll be by a score or less.

Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
The Big Boy Cometh....Team Jacobs
Marines say Oorah; BBVer's say SUAMBP! say it with me - Suuaahmbp!!!!

by wilddre22 on Jan 21, 2012 5:43 PM CST up reply actions

I have the Giants

and am apparently in the minority.

I think this is the weekend the clock strikes midnight and Alex Smith turns into a pumpkin. What happened last weekend was a mirage and I don’t expect Smith to be leading too many 1:20 touchdown drives. The Giants only lost by a TD back in November to the 49ers and they were without Bradshaw that game. Manning and his top 3 receivers still put up decent stats against their defense.

by Danwood on Jan 20, 2012 9:02 PM CST reply actions

and we're healthier across the board now as well

Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
The Big Boy Cometh....Team Jacobs
Marines say Oorah; BBVer's say SUAMBP! say it with me - Suuaahmbp!!!!

by wilddre22 on Jan 21, 2012 5:43 PM CST up reply actions

The question is...

…do the Giants play offensively like they did in the first half against the Falcons two weeks ago, or like they did last week against the Packers? Go through Door #1 and they will lose by two TDs. If they choose the second option, though, they could put a serious whipping on the 49ers even in San Francisco.

I don’t want to see anything from the Giants that reminds me, in any way, of what happened last Sunday. Go Niners.

by HailVarsity on Jan 20, 2012 10:03 PM CST reply actions