Giants vs. 49ers: 6 Players Who Must Step Up to Send San Francisco to Super Bowl

Alex Smith and Vernon Davis got all the attention following the San Francisco 49ers' amazing victory over the New Orleans Saints last Saturday. And for good reason. 

However, a lot of different players stepped up their game in order for the 49ers to upset the favored Saints. Players such as Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Carlos Rogers and Dashon Goldson had really good games. 

They are going to need an equal effort today against the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game. Players that we are not really talking about are going to have to step up in order for the 49ers to go to Indianapolis and vie for their sixth Super Bowl championship. 

This morning I am going to give you six 49ers who need to step up in order for San Francisco to get it done against a hot New York Giants squad. 

6. Bruce Miller

Bruce Miller has to be considered one of the biggest surprises not only for the San Francisco 49ers, but in the entire NFL over the course of the 2011 season. 

You are looking at a converted defensive end that was tearing up college football at Central Florida last season. In fact, he holds their program's career sack record with 39. 

This didn't mean a whole lot to scouts as Miller became the 211th player selected in the 2011 NFL draft. Redemption has been an overriding theme for this San Francisco 49ers team, Miller is no different in this. 

Miller is going to have his hands full this afternoon against the New York Giants. By all accounts, he will be the last line of defense against one of the best pass-rushing defenses in the entire league. He needs to continue this amazing performance in the NFC Championship Game for the 49ers to succeed and get to the Super Bowl. 

If Miller plays consistently like he has throughout the 2011 season, the 49ers offense will be in a much better place when the clock strikes zero. 

If not, there are going to be major pass-protection issues. 

5. Tarell Brown

Tarell Brown has really improved his game in 2011, but he is still somewhat of a liability in coverage for the 49ers and probably their weakest link in the secondary. 

To say that he needs to come up big against the New York Giants today would be a gross understatement. Any way you slice it, Brown is going to be going up against a really good wide receiver. He will play against Mario Manningham in the slot as well as outside against Hakeem Nicks. 

Considering that Carlos Rogers is a pretty sure bet to stick with Victor Cruz throughout the game, the onus for New York will be getting the ball to these other two playmakers. 

This is where Brown comes into play. He has been inconsistent at times this season, which has hurt San Francisco to an extent. He needs to bring his "A" game in order for the 49ers secondary to hold up against Eli and Co. 

If Brown is able to do that, the 49ers stand a really good chance of winning. If not, it could be a long day for the home crowd at Candlestick. 

4. Ahmad Brooks

The New York Giants are going to do everything in their power to hold down the Smith brothers from another mother, Justin and Aldon. 

This will open up pass-rush lanes for secondary figures along the 49ers' front seven. Brooks, who had his best season in 2011, will be counted on by San Francisco to put pressure on Eli Manning. His seven sacks did rank third on the team behind the Smith "brothers," so he is a player that the 49ers wouldn't mind shouldering some burden in the pass rush. 

Additionally, Brooks did sack Drew Brees once last week, pressuring him on a consistent basis. If San Francisco is able to get that type of production from their No. 3 pass rusher, the Giants are going to be in deep trouble. 

3. Michael Crabtree

After a breakout regular season that showed why Michael Crabtree was a top-10 pick, he struggled a great deal against the Saints in his first playoff game last week. He had multiple dropped passes, didn't run fluid routes and seemed to be a little nervous out on the field. 

That said, Crabtree did come up with a big first-quarter touchdown. 

No. 15 will need to be on his game this afternoon in order for the 49ers to have the success that not many expect them to have on offense. New York will have an added focus on Vernon Davis after his amazing performance against the New Orleans Saints last weekend.

This means that Crabtree will be facing a ton of man coverage on the outside. This could spell doom for whoever is asked to guard him, my money is on Corey Webster. 

If Crabtree is able to come through with 80-100 yards and a score, I can almost guarantee you that the San Francisco 49ers will be packing for Indianapolis. If not, San Francisco's offense might struggle a great deal. 

2. Frank Gore

Frank Gore had one big run against the New Orleans Saints last weekend, but was pretty much a non-factor after that. He only ran the ball a total of 13 times in the game, that has to change today in order for the 49ers to win. 

After breaking off five consecutive 100-yard games earlier in the season, Gore has struggled a little bit over the last couple months. A lot of this has to do with nagging injuries and the 49ers attempting to find a better passing game after clinching the NFC West title. 

Now they have to get back to basics. 

Gore has averaged just 64 rushing yards over the 49ers last nine games, that really wont get it done today. He needs to get 25 rushes for over 100 yards in order for San Francisco to win. 

1. Alex Smith

Yes, Alex Smith sits atop this list and for good reason. If he duplicates that amazing performance of last weekend, the San Francisco 49ers will be on their way to Indianapolis. 

More than this, Smith needs to continue his mistake-free football. This is a quarterback that now owns the franchise record for most consecutive passes (221 passing attempts) without an interception, which broke Joe Montana's 1989 record. It really is amazing that we are talking about Smith in the same sentence as No. 16; hell, it might be the last time that happens. 

Smith's success at home is also a factor here. He has 11 of his last 12 home starts, the only loss coming in overtime to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. 

If Smith can maintain this high level of play, continues to make the right progressions on the field, limit his mistakes and complete 60 percent of his passes, I have no doubt that the San Francisco 49ers will win this game. 

If wont be easy because the Giants put up a tremendous road block to success on defense. This road block is led by the best pass rush in the entire league. Smith will need to remain calm in the pocket, not get the "happy feet" that had come to define his pre-2011 career and be the quarterback we have seen throughout this amazing run. 

It is hard to imagine, but I have the utmost confidence that he will be able to do this. You have to realize that he went head to head with Drew Brees and outplayed the future Hall of Fame quarterback. There is no reason to believe he cannot do the same thing this time around against Eli Manning. 

We will sure find out in the matter of hours.