Giants vs. 49ers: Big Blue's Running Game Has No Chance Against Niners

The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers will face off in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday Night (Fox, 6:30 p.m. ET). 

Big Blue has gotten to this point due to a resurgent defense and balanced offense, but their running game has no chance against the ferocious 'Niners defense.

I know Giants fans will vehemently oppose this truth, but you can't argue the facts.

The 49ers defense was the best in the NFL in 2011 at stopping the run (77.3 yards per game), and the Giants running game was the worst (89.2 yards per game). 

Giants fans will tell you that the only reason for this atrocity was because Ahmad Bradshaw was injured. I beg to differ. Even with Bradshaw, there is absolutely no way the Giants will find success on the ground against the 49ers defense at home.

Some might point to the fact that the 49ers looked susceptible to a strong rushing attack in their last two regular season games.

In Week 16, the Seattle Seahawks broke the 49ers NFL record-setting 14-game streak of not allowing a single rushing touchdown, as well as their 36-game streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher. 

Then, the next week, the St. Louis Rams rushed for another two touchdowns.

Is there something there that the Giants could exploit?

The short answer is no.

There are a few reasons for this, the most heavily weighted one being that Justin Smith and Patrick Willis are now healthy after getting banged up with a knee and a hamstring towards the end of the regular season.

Another reason to believe Big Blue is doomed is that both of those streaks are still intact on their home turf. 

The 49ers savagely shut down any modicum desire Sean Payton had to try and run against them in the divisional round. They have a tendency to do that.

Teams simply lose the will to keep running into the same brick wall over and over again.

Willis and his running mate, NaVorro Bowman are the fastest, most athletic tandem at middle linebacker in the NFL. Nobody else even comes close. Then, on the back end, Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner are developing a reputation for pulverizing anyone who dares escape the line of scrimmage.

The bottom line is this: The Giants won't find any cracks in the armor. The 49ers defense is too good.