NFC Championship Game 2012: 49ers Defense Will Prove Manning Is Not an Elite QB

This NFC Championship Game will feature two teams, both coming in hot with terrific wins. It's the defense versus the offense. The gunslinger QB versus the brick-wall defense.

Which one will go to the Super Bowl?

While others would think for a long time and ponder deeply, the answer couldn't be more solid. It's the 49ers by a good margin. 

While there will be many factors, the biggest one is how Eli Manning will perform against the 49ers defense. He is the biggest cog of this Giants machine. They don't have a running game to lean back on. Well, they do, but it's dead last in the league. 

Manning will perform poorly, and I am confident in that statement. Look at how he got here: by beating the Falcons and Packers, two teams with bad defenses. He had good games because he was playing some mediocre teams.

While the 49ers secondary may be the biggest concern, it isn't what will stop Manning. It is a staple that defenses must pressure good QBs in order to beat the pass. The 49ers can do just that.

Look at the D-line of Justin Smith and Aldon Smith. These two monsters have combined for 95 tackles and, get this, 21.5 sacks. Yes, you read that right. Manning will be under constant pressure this entire game from the defensive line alone.

Now for the icing on the cake: the 49ers linebackers. I would not want to be the guy behind the offensive line that has to face Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman screaming through. If Eli can't even get off a pass, then you don't need to worry about him throwing touchdowns.

Earlier in the year versus the 49ers, Manning threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Decent, but it wasn't good enough to lead the Giants to a victory. The 49ers came out on top 27-20.

Eli Manning should have known that you don't call yourself an elite QB. You are determined to be one from others calling you elite. His stats still look like he is a rookie QB. Have no doubt, Manning is a great quarterback. But he is not elite yet, and the 49ers will prove that tonight in Candlestick.