Super Bowl 2012: 3 Reasons Why Giants Will Fall Short of Indy

The New York Giants' charmed life is about to end in San Francisco.

The Giants are on an impressive winning streak and many are now picking them over the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Their push to the postseason and their impressive performances since have caused many to compare them to the Green Bay Packers team that won it all last year.

I'm not buying it, though. There are three main reasons why the Giants will be watching Super Bowl XLVI from the comfort of their cozy couches. 

1. The Giants won't be able to run the ball on the 49ers defense

The 49ers defense has been beastly against the run all year long, allowing a stingy 77.3 yards per game and only three rushing touchdowns in 2011. At home, they were even better, allowing 68.7 yards per game.

Any argument about how the Giants will do better this time around as compared to their Week 10 loss due to Ahmad Bradshaw just doesn't hold any water. As a team, the Giants only averaged 3.5 yards per carry all year long, both with Bradshaw and without him.

Considering that the Giants are the worst in the NFL at rushing and the 49ers defense was the best at stopping said run, this conclusion is a slam dunk.

They will suffer this Sunday, where the 49ers defense will gobble them up for an early dinner before celebrating their victory feast. 

2. The 49ers pass-rush, led by Aldon Smith and Justin Smith, will dominate Big Blue's offensive line.

If the Giants can't run the ball, they will be forced to throw. A lot.

All this does is give rookie sensation Aldon Smith more opportunities in the game. When paired with Justin Smith, they are among the most dangerous pass-rushing duos in the NFL.

Although the Green Bay Packers only recorded one sack, they proved the Giants' offensive line is susceptible to getting beat. Manning was brilliant in that game, getting passes off the moment before he was about to get creamed.

The Giants are a team known for getting a fierce pass-rush with only four men, but I'm here to tell you the 49ers front four is just as deadly, if not more.

The 49ers pressured Drew Brees nine times last weekend and sacked him on three occasions. The Saints had the third-best offensive line in the NFL in 2011, surrendering only 24 sacks, yet the 49ers (particularly Smith) were able to move their men like they were made out of paper mache. 

3. The weather

The forecast is calling for rain. In fact, it will be raining pretty much from now until Tuesday next week.

This will put a damper on any advantage the Giants' receivers may have had.

Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks are dangerous. Cruz, especially, relies on his incredible quickness to get in and out of his cuts and burn his man. The field should be a right muddy mess by the time the second-half starts, and I expect we'll see plenty of slips.

The Giants do have an advantage over a team like the Saints in that they do play outdoors. However, it doesn't matter. A team that relies on a passing game will inevitably be hurt by a muddy field, especially against a team like the 49ers, who are built for it.

I expect the 49ers to continue their uncanny turnover-inducing ways on their way to Indy.

I've been saying all week long that the 49ers will win this game. I give the Giants credit for being an outstanding team that has overcome tremendous adversity all year long, but this isn't their year.

Feel free to debate my findings in the comments section. Cheers.

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