Giants vs. 49ers: Preview and Predictions for 2012 NFC Championship

Another wildly unpredictable year has provided us with a matchup that nobody could have predicted four weeks ago.

After missing the playoffs every season since 2002, the San Francisco 49ers will be hosting the New York Giants with a berth to the Super Bowl on the line.

The 49ers are here because of a defense that allowed the second fewest points in the league and a rejuvenated offense led by QB Alex Smith. Rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh infused a energy that had been missing since they last made the playoffs in 2002.

On the other side, the Giants have crashed the playoff party by winning four straight do-or-die games. The pass rush has become deadly, and QB Eli Manning isn’t turning the ball over. He has two interceptions and zero fumbles in the last month. Tom Coughlin went from the hot seat to in the mix for one of the top coaching performances of the season.

So now an Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees-less NFC Championship is set. So who wins?

The 49ers won 27-20 in Week 10 this season, but the Giants still outgained the 49ers by 90 total yards. The G-Men lost largely because the Ahmad Bradshaw-less running game was only able to churn out 3.2 YPC. Now the Giants are as balanced of a team as any remaining in the postseason.

The biggest matchup will be the Giants' fifth-rated pass offense against a 49ers defense that surrendered the second-fewest points in the league during the regular season.

If Hakeen Nicks continues to produce like he has in his first two playoff games of 2012 (280 yards, four TDs), the pressure will be squarely on the 49ers offense to keep up. They proved capable of doing so against the Saints, but now the 49ers have to deal with the incredibly dangerous defensive line of the Giants.

Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora and the rest of this deep and talented group sacked Rodgers four times, deflected eight of his passes and registered five QB hits. They were the big difference in the game for the second consecutive week.

Smith has to adjust to the pressure and ensure he has the quick dump-off option at all times. Smith only has five interceptions this season, which is one of the main reasons the 49ers have been successful.

I expect the Giants pass rush to pressure Smith early and rattle his confidence to the point of no-return. Once the turnovers start occurring, the Giants' opportunistic offense will cash in on the mistakes.

While the 49ers defense will keep them within striking defense, the Giants are the more balanced team sporting more confidence and more playoff experience and a better quarterback.

Prediction: Giants 24, 49ers 16