Giants vs. 49ers: Game Time and TV Listing for NFC Championship

Eli Manning and the New York Giants flew cross country this week to face off against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.  Neither team was expected to be in position to break through into the Super Bowl at the start of the playoffs, let alone the regular season.  But each franchise has beaten the odds with hungry defense leading the way that’s confident enough to knock off anyone, any time and any place.

Where: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

When: Sunday, January 22^nd at 6:30 p.m. EST

Watch: FOX

Spread: San Francisco -2, according to FreeSportsBet.com

San Francisco is the more talented football team.  Their offense is balanced and their defense is relentless.  Both teams are coming off major wins against the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers, but here’s the thing:

New York beat a Packers team that played sloppily and wasn’t at the top of their game.  San Francisco, on the other hand, outplayed a hot Saints squad.  Jim Harbaugh and company are too hot to resist pulling the trigger on a two-point spread.

Over/Under: 41, according to FreeSportsBet.com

San Francisco averaging 23.8 points per game while the Giants average 24.6.  With two productive offenses in the same game, going over looks like right decision.  But again, each team has a powerful defense as well.

Patrick Willis’ crew allows just 14.3 points a contest and while the Giants didn’t field a strong defense during the regular season, they’re finishing the year as strong as anyone.  At Candlestick Park, under is the safest bet.

Key Injuries

According to the USA Today, for New York, Hakeem Nicks, Eli Manning, Victor Cruz and Chris Canty are all probable going into the game with issues that they’ll be able to play through.  Jake Ballard and Mark Herzlich’s statuses are up in the air as they’re both questionable.

Tight end Delanie Walker hasn’t played since Week 16 due to a fractured jaw, but he’s probable for Sunday’s action.  Patrick Willis and Dashon Goldson are both questionable with knee injuries.  And return ace Ted Ginn Jr. is doubtful to suit up with his own knee problem.

Keys to New York Win

Disrupt Alex Smith.  While Manning lighting up the 49ers secondary would be a plus, Smith proved last week that he can hang in a shootout.  And if he can keep pace with Drew Brees and the Saints, he’ll be able to do the same against the Giants.

Pressuring Smith, despite the fact that he was once labeled as a liability, should be the Giants No. 1 goal.

Keys to San Francisco Win

Slowing the Manning-to-Cruz/Nicks connection is without a doubt the 49ers greatest task.  While Smith can keep up, San Francisco is built to win low-scoring ball games.  Their defense is elite and if that unit can dominate like it’s capable of doing, then they’ll be well on their way to victory.

Prediction

New York may be on fire, but so are the 49ers.  The difference between the two teams, though, is that San Francisco has been beastly all season long while the Giants just started to get comfortable in Week 17.  San Francisco has consistently won close games throughout the year and they’ll do it again in the NFC title.

San Francisco 21-17

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels