Giants vs. 49ers: Eli Manning Must Bring 4th Quarter Magic for a Super Bowl Trip

This year has been Eli Manning, Eli Manning and more Eli Manning for this New York Giants team.

The New York Giants travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers in the NFC Championship in a game that will take each and every ounce of Manning's top-notch fourth-quarter play.

In analyzing the two teams in this matchup, there's no question the 49ers are a team that boast the slightly better defense and one that comes into the contest red hot.

In the team's divisional round game against the Saints, the 49ers were able to force five turnovers against a Drew Brees-led offense that is known for dismantling opposing defenses.

Yet the impressive five turnovers could well have resulted in a loss had it not been for some late magic from QB Alex Smith and the 49ers offense with under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

In spite of a tremendous final drive led by both Smith and TE Vernon Davis, the 49ers team was only able to beat the Saints by four points and trailed with just under two minutes to go.

This is to say that undoubtedly, no matter how sound this 49ers defense is against the Giants offense, an average offensive unit will keep the Giants relatively close in this contest.

Not to mention, the Giants boast a significantly better defense than do the Saints, as the Giants will have a significantly easier time hanging around with the 49ers and in particular, containing their offense.

Eli Manning threw an NFL record 15 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter this season, breaking his brother Peyton's previous mark of 14 touchdown passes.

The Giants have scored at least 24 points in their last four outings and have eclipsed the 30-point mark twice in during the four-game span. This offense has been steadily improving with each game and will lean on Manning to get the job done against the 49ers.

In the previous matchup against the 49ers, Manning was picked off twice and completed just over 50 percent of his passes.

An improved performance from Manning in this contest will be the x-factor in this one, as he has proven all season long that he is to the go-to-guy that can take down teams with his arm in the final minutes.