NFL Playoffs 2012: 5 Bold Predictions for NFC Championship Game

Entering this past weekend most football fans probably figured that the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints were on a collision course for the NFC Championship Game. The complete opposite took place, however, as the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers will meet instead.

Perhaps it won't be the offensive fireworks show that everyone was hoping for, but there will be plenty of intrigue surrounding a rematch from Week 10 of the regular season between the G-Men and Niners. Here are five bold predictions for what will take place in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

Giants Will Rush for Over 100 Yards

Although 100 yards may not seem like much, it would be the ultimate rushing accomplishment for the Giants against the 49ers. San Francisco ranked first in the league by a huge margin against the run during the regular season as they allowed just 77 yards per game. In the first meeting between these two teams, though, New York rushed for 93 yards.

It isn't a stretch to believe the Giants can cross that 100-yard threshold, particularly with Ahmad Bradshaw back in the picture. The Giants had to rely on Brandon Jacobs in the backfield in Week 10 as Bradshaw was out with an injury. The combination of Bradshaw and Jacobs is clicking right now, so I think they'll have plenty of success.

Alex Smith Will Have His Worst Game of the Season

Entering the playoffs it seemed as if quarterback Alex Smith and the passing game would be the 49ers' biggest weakness. With that said, Smith answered the bell in a big way in San Francisco's Divisional round win over the Saints as he threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score. While that may have been his best game as a pro, look for Smith to have his worst game of the season on Sunday.

I'm not sure the reason, but the Giants' defense went from getting torched by the pass at various points in the regular season to absolutely suffocating teams in the playoffs. Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons were stymied while Aaron Rodgers and the Packers were contained. When you combine the secondary's physicality with an elite pass rush, Smith will be in for a long day.

Giants Will Win Turnover Battle

During the regular season the 49ers led the league in turnover differential with a plus-31 advantage. That type of ball security was likely the biggest factor in the Niners' 13-3 season. The biggest issue is that the 49ers basically have to play mistake-free football to succeed, and you have to believe that the tables are going to turn at some point.

I believe the NFC Championship Game is going to be the breaking point for the Niners as the Giants' defense is playing its best football all season right now. Thanks to a relentless pass rush that includes Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, I see Alex Smith being forced into turnovers via strip sacks and rushed decisions on Sunday.

49ers Will Score Under 20 Points

The 49ers weren't exactly the most offensively potent team during the regular season, but they did manage to score nearly 24 points per game and hung 27 on the Giants in Week 10. On top of that the Niners are coming off a 36-point performance against the Saints. With that said, though, the Giants' defense is on a major hot streak, allowing just 11 points per game in the postseason.

New York also allowed just 14 points in each of its last two regular-season games. The Giants have been rolling defensively for a solid month now. Niners' fans are understandably psyched about the way the offense performed against New Orleans, but things won't come so easily against the Giants. New York will have no problem pushing San Fran's suspect receiving corps around and locking down the 49ers.

Giants Will Pull Off the Upset

After the previous four predictions this one might be pretty obvious, but I'm picking the Giants to upset the 49ers on the road and reach the Super Bowl. Prior to the start of the playoffs, I often talked about how much the current Giants team reminded me of the 2007 Giants who went on to win the Super Bowl. That remains the case as they have been road warriors in the postseason.

All of the same elements are there–from a terrific pass rush to the inspired play of quarterback Eli Manning. The manner in which the G-Men played the Packers tough in the regular season only to beat them in the playoffs was reminiscent of what they did against the New England Patriots in 2007. There are so many parallels that I have to believe the Giants are a team of destiny that is bound for Super Bowl glory.