Giants vs. 49ers: Previewing the 2012 NFC Championship Game

The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers are both teams that win with toughness. The fact that they are matching up in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday means we should be in for a rough, smash-mouth game.

The Giants finished the regular season ranked fifth in passing offense (295.9 yards per game), and they also had the NFL's worst rushing offense (89.2 yards per game), but that doesn't mean the G-Men aren't tough. 

Defensively, New York gave up a ton of yards this season, but they have one of the league's best pass rushes. The Giants recorded 48 sacks during the regular season and have added six more during the playoffs.

On Sunday, during the team's 37-20 win over the Green Bay Packers, the team's defensive line was outstanding, as the group constantly harassed quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

On the other sideline, the 49ers have won with a simple formula this season: stop the run on defense and pound the ball on offense. Jim Harbaugh's team wrapped up the regular season with the NFL's best run defense after allowing just 77.3 yards per game.

On offense, the 49ers leaned on veteran running back Frank Gore and finished the season ranked eighth in the league in rushing yards (127.8 yards per game).

During San Francisco's win over the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, the team got a career-making performance out of tight end Vernon Davis. The 27-year-old finished the day with seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Gore slammed his way to 89 rushing yards on 13 carries. 

While the Giants are a passing team and the 49ers are a running team, this game will almost certainly be won at the line of scrimmage. If San Francisco can get to New York quarterback Eli Manning, it will be a long day for the Giants. If the G-Men can stop the run and force 49ers quarterback Alex Smith to win the game with his arm, it could be a long one for him.

It should be a fantastic matchup, and whichever team survives will certainly deserve a spot in the Super Bowl.