Giants vs. 49ers: San Francisco Will Ride Smash-Mouth Style to Super Bowl XLVI

The Niners have ridden the defense and rushing attack to the NFC Championship Game, and they will ride them into the Super Bowl. The Giants have strung together two improbable wins, but the Niners are just too good defensively to overcome.

The Giants have really shown themselves to be a formidable team offensively, but the Niners have the ability to make teams one-dimensional. They absolutely stuff the run without safety help.

Their ability to eliminate that aspect of their opponents' attack, while still allowing their entire secondary to play the pass, is a huge advantage. They can have the same effect on the Giants offense, which isn't quite as explosive as the Saints.

The Giants didn't run the ball effectively against the Packers until late, but they sliced Green Bay's secondary to shreds. That simply won't happen with San Francisco, Despite the big plays they surrendered against the Saints, anyone that saw the game would tell you that the Niners secondary played well. 

They will not be under nearly as much pressure against the Giants. Drew Brees had 60 pass attempts; that number will likely be cut 40 percent for Eli Manning. 

If the Niners can force the Giants into a pass-only mode, the pass-rushers will get to Eli Manning. He did a great job of avoiding turnovers against the Packers, but the Niners defense is better overall and its pressure and secondary play is almost certain to produce a couple.

The Giants were vulnerable in their run defense. The Packers were having success on the ground, but they did not stay with it.

The running backs for Green Bay averaged over five yards per carry, but they only had 14 attempts. The Niners will not abandon the run; it is their bread and butter and it also tires the Giants' potent pass-rushers. This will be important in setting up play action for Alex Smith.

Smith could be deadly off the play-fake to Vernon Davis; he is the Niners' best run-after-the-catch threat. If the run game can create one-on-one matchups for Davis, that will be the source of the big plays the Niners need to give their offense balance.

It will be another tough matchup, but the Niners defense and offensive efficiency will lead them to the Super Bowl.

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