2012 NFC Championship: Jake Ballard Can Be a Matchup Nightmare for the 49ers

Tight end Jake Ballard can be the key to unlocking the tough San Francisco 49ers defense for the New York Giants in this Sunday's NFC Championship game. The 49ers struggled to cope with New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, and Ballard can cause similar problems.

The crafty intermediate receiver can expose the gaps in San Francisco's deep zone coverage schemes. The 49ers like to rely on a swarming Cover-2 shell, choosing to take away the deep ball and funnel everything underneath towards safeties Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio also likes to take advantage of the speed of Patrick Willis and drop the star inside linebacker into the deep third, creating a look similar to the Tampa-2 scheme. This could create vital space underneath for Ballard to exploit.

The 6'6", 275-pounder is a cerebral route-runner with the power and smarts to defeat any one of Parys Haralson, Ahmad Brooks and NaVorro Bowman in coverage. With the 49ers certain to be focusing most of their efforts on subduing talented flankers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, Ballard is certain to find plenty of room to maneuver.

To release Ballard, the Giants' offensive line will have to demonstrate that they can handle the relentless 49ers defensive front without additional help. If the front five can't cope with the likes of Aldon and Justin Smith by themselves, the Giants will be forced to supplement the group with Ballard's powerful blocking.

The best way to utilise Ballard in this game might be via the use of middle screens. Short-range passes just over the defensive line will get Ballard into the space vacated by Willis and help temper the San Francisco pass rush.

Ballard must take advantage of the tremendous threat posed by Cruz and Nicks, and rediscover his stellar early-season form. If he can, then Ballard could be the decisive factor that puts the Giants in the Super Bowl.