NFL Playoff Predictions: Why Special Teams Helps the 49ers Beat the Giants

With two teams in the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants that are eerily similar on both sides of the ball, the 2011-12 NFC Championship game is expected to be quite a game.

That being said, since both will likely be deadlocked on offense or defense, we must then revert to the third area of football; special teams. It's an area where the 49ers have a major edge over the Giants and here is why it helps them win.

Kick Returning

Whether it was on kickoffs or punts, the 49ers had a rather larger differential over the Giants this season. On kickoffs, San Francisco averaged 27.2 yards per return (ranked No. 1) and New York just 23.3 yards per return (ranked No. 22). Sure, roughly four yards may not seem like a lot, but in a game of inches that's a big advantage.

As for punt returns, the 49ers averaged 12.4 yards per return (ranked No. 5) and the Giants just 6.1 yards per return (ranked No. 29). This is easily the biggest difference between the two teams but it only gets worse for New York.

Lacking in the return game all year will eventually bite them against a great return team and one of the NFL's best return men.

Ted Ginn Jr.

Averaging 27.6 yards per kickoff return (ranked No. 3) and 12.3 yards per punt return (ranked No. 4), Ted Ginn Jr. combined for 1,266 return yards in 2011.

By comparison, the most productive returner for the Giants was Devin Thomas, who returned kickoffs for 607 total yards at an average of 24.3 yards per return. So, Ginn's production alone was twice as good because he's a complete return man which is obviously where most of his attention is focused.

In the NFC Championship, we can't expect the Giants to punt to him, so anticipate the 49ers attempting to send punt-blockers off the edges. That will force New York punter Steve Weatherford to punt up the middle as opposed to one sideline, thus allowing Ginn more return opportunities.

As for the return itself, those not trying to block the punt for San Francisco will fade back at the snap to setup a wall. Because no good returner can break the game open without an excellent blocking scheme.

Kicking

It's not a major difference, but one that will have a good effect nonetheless. San Francisco kicker David Akers was 44-of-52 on field goals in 2011, ranked No. 1 for most made and No. 14 with an 84.6 percentage. New York's Lawrence Tynes was only 19-of-24 by comparison, so it's clear which player had more opportunities.

Now, that also means the 49ers offense stalled more than New York's once in the opponent's territory. One thing to keep in mind though, is San Francisco had a much better defense during the regular season and they shut down Drew Brees and the Saints for 55 minutes.

With the game on the line, both kickers are quite reliable, but Akers is the more seasoned veteran.

Punting

Not an overly drastic difference between the Giants and 49ers but one that could determine whether an offense gets into field goal range. San Francisco punter Andy Lee averaged a 50.9 yard gross average a 44.6 net average, both ranked first in the league.

New York punter Steve Weatherford averaged 45.7 yards (ranked No. 14) but had a net average of just 39.2 (ranked No. 15). In any football game, regardless of the implications, a six-yard differential just like San Francisco also owns in the punt return game is astronomical.

It can be the difference for an offense needing to get two more first-downs as opposed to just one for scoring range. Or, the difference in the amount of time left on the clock. Not only is every inch important but so is every second.

And in what's expected to be a tight game, capitalizing on the little things can turn the game completely around. 

John Rozum on Twitter