Giants vs. 49ers Predictions: Frank Gore Will Carry San Fran to Promised Land

If the San Francisco 49ers beat the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game Sunday, it will be Frank Gore walking away as the main reason for the team’s Super Bowl trip.

Gore is a career 49er that has seen the bad times since he arrived with the storied franchise. After walking into a winning culture and watching it falter, Gore has stuck around and his loyalty is paying off.

With a perfect matchup against a heavy pass-rushing team that has been burnt by the run game this season, Gore will torch the 19th-ranked Giants run defense. Add in the fact that Gore averaged 6.8 yards per carry last week, and you have the perfect recipe for backfield dominance.

Gore told the San Jose Mercury News about his feelings going into this game and any lingering injuries he may have:

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It's all right. My coaches do a great job of putting me in good situations, better than the past. I feel good right now. It's a blessing to be in the situation we are as a team, especially looking back in my past. You look at how everyone is surprised and can't believe this team, where we're at now. But we always knew what we had in this locker room, now that we've got coach (Jim) Harbaugh and his coaching staff leading us the right way.

"

With a guy like Gore mentally ready for this game and feeling as healthy as a running back can feel at this point of the season, San Francisco has the kind of weapon that could sink the Giants' ship.

Gore is an incredibly tough runner who uses his quickness to get through the offensive line and to the second level. If he can’t find a hole, he is the kind of back who will bulldoze a defender in hopes of gaining the extra yard.

With 49ers quarterback Alex Smith not turning the ball over, there should be plenty of chances for Gore to keep the clock rolling and the first-down chains moving.

I’m sure the Giants fans feel uber confident that their Giants will get up early and eliminate Gore as a factor, but that’s where you’d be wrong. In last week’s war with the New Orleans Saints, it was Gore’s seven catches for 38 yards that kept the 49ers offense on the field.

Without Gore, Vernon Davis doesn’t make those catches.

If the 49ers get Gore going early and often, there is no way that the Giants will be able to sneak out a win at Candlestick Park. San Fran wins 27-24.

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