NFL Playoff Predictions: Why Alex Smith Must Be Perfect for 49ers on Sunday

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith has had a career year. Frankly, that isn't saying much, but the seven-year veteran seems to have found a home under center in head coach Jim Harbaugh's offensive system. After a fantastic performance during the team's 36-32 divisional-round upset of the New Orleans Saints, Smith will need to step up once again if the 49ers hope to reach the Super Bowl.

Against the Saints, Smith completed 24-of-42 passes for 299 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ripped off a 28-yard quarterback sweep for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. 

This weekend the 49ers will face a New York Giants team that possesses one of the NFL's best pass rushes. The G-Men racked up 48 sacks during the regular season and have added six more in two playoff games. In addition to that, New York held Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to just 264 passing yards in the team's upset win on Sunday.

The Giants defense is rolling right now, as they also forced the Packers into four turnovers. 

This Sunday, Smith will be pressured, and he will have to make quick decisions. If New York is able to force him into making mistakes, the 49ers won't have a chance to win the game.

Smith improved immensely this season, throwing for a career-high 3,144 yards with 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 445 attempts. He completed a career-high 61.3 percent of his passes, and his passer rating of 90.7 was also a career high.

I think Smith's rebound under Harbaugh has been one of the best, most under-reported stories of the season. If he is successful on Sunday and gets his team to the Super Bowl, the whole world will hear about it. But to get there he will have to summon his best performance of the year.