NFL Playoffs 2012: Stellar San Francisco 49ers Defense Will Bail out Alex Smith

Alex Smith is not the quarterback I'd want leading my team in an NFC championship showdown with the rights to represent the conference in the Super Bowl on the line.

Smith has taken huge strides this season and may very well be on his way to becoming a good quarterback, but I still can't trust him in such a big moment.

A few minutes of greatness at the end of a divisional round playoff game does not negate years of struggle and failure.

Ladies and gentleman, this is still Alex Smith we are talking about.

Yes, he had an epic fourth quarter to knock off Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, but that's just one instance.

The Saints defense doesn't compare to the Giants.

Expect struggles to move the ball.

Why He Will Struggle

The Giants' pass rush is scary good.

If they can turn Aaron Rodgers off, imagine what they are going to do to Smith. 

Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are absolutely relentless when it comes to getting pressure on the quarterback. Smith can't handle that.

With the pressure in his face, don't trust Smith to make the kind of throws that we saw him make against the Saints.

He had a ton of time to set his feet and make some very professional throws last week. But don't expect that to be the case against the Giants.

Smith's body of work does not suggest a repeat of his performance against the Saints, especially on such a big stage.

That Being Said...

I still expect the 49ers to win this game.

The players and factors around him will be enough to negate Smith's inevitable struggles.

First, with the potential inclement weather and sloppy field conditions, the running game is going to be key.

I value Frank Gore and the 49ers' running game more than I do Brandon Jacobs and the Giants'.

Second, as good as the Giants' pass rush is, they cannot hold a candle to the dominant squad that is San Francisco's defense.

Expect the 49ers to shut down the Giants' running game and do just enough to keep Manning off his rhythm.

It won't be a pretty game. I wouldn't be surprised if Manning struggles as much as Smith.

In the end, I have to give the edge to the 49ers defense in this matchup.

Smith is going to have a poor game. His offense will be able to do just enough to get ahead though, and then from there the 49ers will let the defense do the rest.

He's got a good running game and a tremendous defense that will pick him up.

San Francisco's defense will lead them to the Super Bowl—despite their average quarterback.