Giants vs. 49ers Predictions: Kendall Hunter Dominates and More Bold Predictions

Even though the San Francisco 49ers are favored heading into Sunday's game, it seems like the New York Giants bandwagon is filling up at a rapid rate. That means Jim Harbaugh can still play the powerful underdog card with his team, and it will lead to a 49ers victory on Sunday.

Here are three bold predictions that will help San Francisco emerge victorious.

1. Kendall Hunter will create a two-headed backfield monster

Frank Gore gets most of the attention and rightfully so, but Kendall Hunter is no slouch. The dynamic rookie gained nearly 700 offensive yards this season despite limited touches. He's the perfect compliment to Gore's bone-crushing style.

The one area where Hunter eclipses Gore in terms of effectiveness is in the passing game. That's how I see him catching the Giants defense off guard. Look for the 49ers to work him into the offense with some screen plays and quick dump passes to get him out in space.

Between his playmaking ability on the outside and Gore's running between the tackles, the Giants will have their hands full. They won't be able to keep them both down for four quarters.

2. The vaunted Giants pass rush doesn't sack Alex Smith

The Giants sacked Aaron Rodgers four times en route to an upset victory last weekend. They won't have nearly as much success against San Francisco's offensive line on Sunday. Without those game-changing plays, New York's defense isn't nearly as good.

Alex Smith has found a groove in the team's quick-hitting offense, which relies on short routes that allow him to get the ball out of his hand quickly. That will make it extremely difficult for Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul and Co. to have much success.

Smith's job isn't to win the game, although he did a great job of doing it last week, but rather not lose it. He's going to make sure his mistakes are limited, and that includes throwing the ball away instead of getting sacked.

3. San Francisco easily covers the spread (-2.5)

Not only will the 49ers claim the NFC Championship on Sunday, but the game won't even come down to the last possession like the spread would make you believe. By the time the two-minute warning rolls around, there will be no doubt about who's advancing to the Super Bowl.

The 49ers defense is going to stifle Eli Manning's offense. This isn't Green Bay's porous secondary anymore. It's one of the NFL's elite defensive units with a good read on the Giants after facing them earlier in the season.

Look for the 49ers to pick up a two-score victory as they keep their dream season alive and start packing for a trip to Indianapolis.