Giants vs. 49ers: San Francisco's Defense Will Lift Team to Victory

The San Francisco 49ers have a defense that is good enough to lift them above the New York Giants and into the Super Bowl.

They are that good, and there's no question about it.

This is a defense that was absolutely incredible this season against the run, coming in first in rushing yards allowed by only giving up an impressive 77.3 yards per game.

The defense also features an All-Pro linebacker in Patrick Willis, a dominant defensive tackle in Justin Smith—who notched 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles this season— and a budding rookie star in linebacker Aldon Smith, who finished the year with 14 sacks.

That's not even to mention a passing defense that wasn't half bad itself, only allowing 230.9 passing yards per game on the season.

Even more impressive than those numbers, though, was work that this squad did against Drew Brees and a very dangerous Saints offense.

The defense came out from the get-go and physically dominated the Saints. Even though the game turned into the shootout at the end, there was no doubting the 49ers defense had thrown the Saints off rhythm.

It forced the normally deadly Brees into two interceptions and caused three fumbles en route to a 36-32 upset win at home.

The Giants offense is in no way as explosive as the Saints, but there is no doubting San Francisco still has a huge challenge ahead of it.

The 49ers have to find a way to stop Eli Manning, who threw for 330 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a win at Lambeau Field last weekend.

Even more daunting is the task of guarding the near unstoppable Hakeem Nicks, who hauled in 165 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers and has four touchdowns overall in these playoffs.

Add in a running game spearheaded by a bruising Brandon Jacobs, and the 'Niners are going to have a lot to account for.

Luckily for them, they have a defense that can stand up to the Giants.

The 49ers defensive front and linebackers should be to get adequate pressure in the backfield, which will make life harder for Jacobs, who isn't a cut-back runner.

Once they neutralize the running game they can focus on getting to Manning in the backfield, and the less time he has the less effective Nicks and the speedy Victor Cruz will be as deep threats.

It's a simple philosophy, but it's one the 49ers have used all season long.

They say that defense wins championships. The 49ers have a chance to prove this on Sunday.

I expect they will do just that.