The New York Giants offense has felt at times like it has truly transformed overnight from a ground-and-pound system to high-flying deep assault team.

No complaints.

Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham, Jake Ballard, Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs and—believe it or not—Danny Ware have all made a difference this year in transforming this offense under the leadership of Eli Manning.

Beating the San Francisco 49ers is a completely different task than before, purely because the stakes are higher. 

Win or go home. 

However, what the NY Giants have done over the past few weeks will not play out the same this Sunday.

For the past five weeks the Giants have lived on a nice healthy dose of slants, shallow crossing routes and deep post patterns, all with major success.  The Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers do not have the skill that the 49ers do in the middle of the field.

The Giants' past success has come against teams that have great downhill linebackers such as Hawk, Lee, Brookings, Harris, Lofton, etc...

The Niners backers are exceptional in coverage and can also sack the QB. 

OLB Ahmad Brooks had seven sacks during the season and one last week against the New Orleans Saints.  Patrick Willis, who has been the standard for "best linebacker" in the NFL, had an impressive 12 passes defended and four forced fumbles.  

Willis' "partner in crime" NaVorro Bowman, who accumulated an amazing 143 tackles this year, also had an additional seven passes defended last week. 

What does this mean for the Giants, and how do they get it done on offense?

7 Keys Players who must find success

1.  Mario Manningham - Manningham has had a season of highs and lows; however, what I do know is that Mario Manningham works the sidelines like no other.

The Giants are not going to win this game down the middle of the field unless they work the outside first.  Manningham on the outside will provide ball protection for Eli Manning and help him move the chains.

2. Jake Ballard - The tight end has made some of the biggest catches this year on the biggest stage.  It's a shame someone at Ohio State told this kid he can't catch...because it's clear he has the skills.

A healthy Ballard allows Eli and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride to run the play-action roll out with Ballard in the flat, working the outside of the field and potentially pushing the backers to cheat on coverage.

3. Bear Pascoe - The Giants offensive line struggled mightily against this team the first time around.  The Giants are going to need run two tight-end sets, and Pascoe will be a vital part in helping the edge protect Eli Manning. 

Eli took way too many late hits vs. the Packers.

4. David Baas - This 2011 free-agent signing was a bust for the G-men.  This guy needs to have a monster day vs. his old team.  He has been a weak link for most of the year as the NY Giants have the worst rushing offensive in the NFL.  Thank the football gods for Eli Manning.

5. Ahmad Bradshaw - No. 44 did not play against the Niners the first time around, so there is the element of surprise.  Bradshaw has been very banged up this season, missing four games; however, he has proven he still has the ability to bounce the play outside.  

He is a force in space with the ball in his hands.  Misdirection and quick toss could make an impact.

6. Henry Hynoski - Double "H" was brought here to blow up defenders and pave the way for Jacobs and Bradshaw; however, against the Dallas Cowboys the new fullback had four catches for 31 yards and hasn't been heard from since.

Hynoski has taken advantage of the slower backer in the past, so if the Giants do bring out the big fellow to catch some passes to keep the Niners off balance, success will come against OLB Parys Haralson, who had a below-average year.

7. Hakeem Nicks/Eli Manning - The tandem is hot, but their approach will have to change against this team.  The quick slants and screens down the line of scrimmage will not have the same rate of success as they did vs. slower teams.

Nicks needs to work the deep crossing routes and patterns behind the linebackers, as well as the double move out and up.  If Nicks were ever going to get credit for being a great route runner, this will be the key week to begin fulfilling that reputation and helping the Giants win the game.