NFC Championship Game 2012: Running Game Will Decide Giants vs. 49ers Clash

Most of the talk entering the NFC Championship Game is about New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning or the San Francisco 49ers defense, but it will be the running game that will decide who becomes the NFC's Super Bowl representative.

The 49ers ranked first in the league at stopping the run and eighth in total rushing yards on offense, while the Giants were just 19th against the run and dead last at running the ball offensively during the regular season. Those numbers suggest that this game should be a washout in the Niners' favor.

New York has been a completely different team over the past month, however, so those stats need to be taken with a grain of salt. The return of running back Ahmad Bradshaw from a nagging foot injury several weeks ago has given the G-Men a very formidable duo in the backfield, with the plodding Brandon Jacobs serving as the second threat.

Big Blue has rushed for nearly 270 yards in just two games during the postseason. That is certainly a far cry from the 89 yards per game they averaged during the regular season. On top of that, they have allowed a little more than 100 yards rushing on defense in their two playoff games, so they have improved there as well.

Obviously, it will be no easy task to continue their success running the ball against the 49ers' stout defense, but they did manage 93 rushing yards against San Francisco during the teams' regular-season meeting. The G-Men were without Bradshaw in that game, so there is a good chance that number will improve.

Also in that game, the Giants defense limited the 49ers to just 77 total rushing yards, including zero from running back Frank Gore, who suffered a knee injury. Gore is now about as healthy as can be expected, so it will be a major challenge trying to slow down the Niners' ground game.

Building an early lead would be very advantageous to the Giants. If the 49ers believe they have to play catch-up at an early stage in the game, then New York's defense may be able to pin its ears back and rush quarterback Alex Smith. The Giants have a myriad of pass rushers and ranked third in the league in sacks during the regular season.

The Giants outrushed the 49ers in their regular-season clash, yet San Francisco was able to come out on top. A lot of that had to do with a couple of late interceptions from Manning. He has done a great job protecting the ball as of late, though, with just two interceptions over the past four games.

Provided the G-Men continue to play well in other aspects like they have, I think a win is inevitable if they are able to have a repeat performance and gain more yards than the Niners on the ground once again.