Giants vs 49ers: Giants Will Fail in Bid for 3rd Straight Upset

The run doesn't have to end for the New York Giants, but it will against the San Francisco 49ers. The Giants have the ability to pull off the upset, but the Niners' advantages will be too much for the G-Men to overcome.

Defeating the Packers was a huge emotional victory—I don't believe the Giants will be able to muster up another effort on par with that, and they'll need it to win in San Francisco.

There are two primary reasons the Niners will defeat the Giants and go to the Super Bowl, and they both revolve around defense:

Run Defense

The Niners run defense is among the best I've seen in the past 15 years in the NFL. For as much talk about the league being a pass first league, the Niners' dominance against the run is impressive. There is some credence to the belief of passing dominating offenses. The 229.7 yards per game teams averaged through the air supports that, as it is the highest in NFL history.

That said, the 117 yards per game on the ground is more than acceptable, and the 4.3 yards per carry the league averages is the highest in league history as well. In all that, the Niners gave up only 77 yards per game on the ground and 3.5 yards per carry.

You simply will not run the ball effectively against them. The Giants were dead last running the ball during the season, though they have the ability to be much better, as they were against Atlanta. That said, this certainly is not the team the Giants will have a break out on the ground against.

This will have to be all Eli Manning. He is not the same young, fragile QB, but this is a lot to put on one arm and one aspect of an offense. Even the record setting passing attack of Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints couldn't get it done, and neither will the Giants.

Secondary

The Niners secondary gave up some yardage through the air during the season, and last week against the Saints. The defense was ranked only 16th against the pass all year, though they forced an insane 38 turnovers, 23 by way of the INT.

The defense gave up 435 yards through the air against the Saints, but the Niners forced five turnovers. Believe it or not, all things considered, they did not play poorly. That may sound crazy, but if you watched the game, they made big plays throughout. From the huge hit by Donte Whitner on Pierre Thomas that set the tone for the game, to plays made down field by Carlos Rogers and Dashon Goldson to break up passes, they brought it in the secondary.

The Giants' passing game is formidable, but it certainly isn't on par with the Saints attack. The Niners will run the football and make this a grind it out game. That is the style the Niners thrive in, and they can outlast almost any team in the league playing that way.

It has been a nice run for the Giants, but the Niners are Super Bowl bound.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter