NFC Championship Game 2012: 3 X-Factors for the New York Giants

In the New York Giants' matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 NFC Championship Game, the following three players could be huge X-factors:

Michael Boley

Before the Giants' divisional round win over the Green Bay Packers, a whiteboard in the locker room read, "Play physical football and beat the hell out of #88." Mission accomplished, especially on Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (No. 88).

Boley was a big part of that equation, and he'll have an equally daunting task this week against 49ers tight end Vernon Davis. I'm not sure the Giants will be able to play as physical against Davis as they were with Finley, but Boley needs to find a way to limit him—something the New Orleans Saints were unable to do a week ago.   

Steve Weatherford

The prowess of the 49ers defense makes it likely that Weatherford will be asked to punt more than the two times he did it in Green Bay a week ago. And with 49ers punter Andy Lee among the best in the game, Weatherford needs to be equally as effective to keep San Francisco from gaining big advances in field position.

It's not a glamorous job and it often gets overlooked, but punting can be an important part of playoff football.  

Brandon Jacobs

I'm not confident that the Giants can win on Sunday without some semblance of a running game. Remember, the 49ers knocked off Pierre Thomas early last week and forced Drew Brees to throw it 63 times. That can't happen for the Giants on Sunday. 

While Ahmad Bradshaw will be counted on more heavily, Jacobs needs to provide more than the 3.1 yards per carry he had in the first meeting and the 2.4 he tallied in Green Bay. And to that point, the punishing running style of Jacobs can help the Giants match the 49ers' physical style of defense.