Earlier I gave you my thoughts on the New York Football Giants and now it is time to address the home team in this game....
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
This 49ers team has been one of the biggest surprises and best stories of this season. Without many changes, other than at head coach, this same team as awful last year and somehow managed to not only make the playoffs but get the NUMBER 2 SEED!!! Jim Harbaugh has figured out how to motivate this team that neither Mike Nolan or Mike Singletary could. He has made Alex Smith a name that isn't followed by "draft bust" anymore and somehow gotten that young defense to play at a level only comparable to those great defenses in history. Patrick Willis may be the second coming of Ray Lewis, Ryan Smith is as dominant an end as there is in the league and unlike his time in Washington Carlos Rodgers has GREAT hands!!! With that said Jim Harbaugh has earned himself a Coach of the Year award and a spot in the NFC championship game as a first year head coach.
I will be the first to say I got last weeks match up waaaaaaaayyyy wrong! I did not think that this 49ers offense would be able to keep up with the Saints, but boy was I wrong. Alex Smith proved he belongs here by throwing for 299 yds and 3 td's and 0 int. Vernon Davis was the beneficiary of a lot of that action as he caught 7 passes for for 187 yes and 2 tds, that includes the game winner with less than 30 sec on the clock. The niners defense caused 5 turnovers against the Saints and the last 5 minutes was better than any 5 minutes this year, PERIOD. Now though Harbaughs team has to face the team playing possibly the best football in the NFL right now.
For the 49ers to sand a chance they are going to need big play from their offensive line to protect Alex Smith. Frank Gore is going to get his yds but if they do not protect Smith there is no chance. You can bet the Giants will take a page from Thanksgiving game and attack the line fo scrimmage with that ferocious pass rush. On the other side of the ball, Patrick Willis is going to need to be the star he is and control the field with his leadership. If the niners can continue to stop the run and get pressure on Eli then this game could be there's for the taking.
Unfortunately with my pick coming up I do not think that can happen and the majic carpet ride that is the 2011 49ers is over. I can't see them stopping the pass attack of the Giants and keeping Alex Smith upright. The dream that is the Harbowl is no more....
49ers---14
Giants---24
WHAT IS YOUR PICK?
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is great blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.
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