NFL Playoff Predictions: Why 49ers Offense Can Negate Giants' Potent Pass Rush

The San Francisco 49ers have displayed the ideal offensive tendencies this year to negate the ferocious New York Giants defense in the NFC Championship Game. 

Jim Harbaugh's club has become nationally renowned for its intimidating and extremely disciplined defense.

Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith, NaVorro Bowman, Justin Smith and Carlos Rogers will all play integral roles on Sunday. However, San Francisco's quick-strike offense that averaged a respectable 23.8 points per game this season and dropped 36 on the New Orleans Saints last week is the true X-factor. 

Quarterback Alex Smith's time in the Bay Area has been marred with inconsistent play and dotted with offseason trade rumors.

Under Harbaugh's tutelage in 2011, Smith pieced together the best campaign of his career. 

The 49ers head coach did a marvelous job of highlighting the former No. 1 overall pick's strengths (mobility, quick release and accuracy), while using the running game to keep him out of precarious situations. 

The running back duo of Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter will be huge, especially against a Giants defensive line that will aggressively attack Smith on nearly every down. 

Expect San Fran to run the occasional draw play on 3rd-and-5 or longer to keep New York's defense honest. 

When Smith does throw, he typically gets the ball out of his hands swiftly on a variety of slants, short out-routes and particularly to Vernon Davis when he notices one-on-one man coverage. 

Since the 49ers don't have a ton of deep threats on the outside, not much of their passing plays feature long developing routes, which is perfect against an assailing Giants pass rush. 

San Francisco has had problems in the red zone this season. However, with Davis' presence and Michael Crabtree's ability to get inside his man on routes over the middle, Smith should have another solid performance. 

The NFC West champs are as efficient as they come at slowly matriculating the ball down the field and will implement an array of quick throws and running plays. 

What's the best way to negate a stellar pass rush? 

Get rid of the ball as fast as possible.

It is precisely what the 49ers have done for the majority of the year and they'll stick with their typically successful game plan on Sunday. 

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