Giants vs. 49ers: 5 Reasons Patrick Willis Will Get the Game Ball

It was all about redemption last week for the 49ers when tight end Vernon Davis caught Alex Smith’s pass in the game’s final seconds to beat New Orleans.

San Francisco, after all, was an underdog despite playing at home, and a much-maligned offense came up with two big scores in the final minutes to push the Saints aside.

For linebacker Patrick Willis, however, it was a time to be grateful—to Davis, Smith and the offense.

Willis, the focal point of San Francisco’s defense, was beaten for two touchdowns by the Saints, and he was happy to have survived to fight another day.

Today is the other day. And it’s a chance for Willis to shine on a wet afternoon at Candlestick Park with a berth in the Super Bowl on the line.

Here’s why:

5. The 49er Defense Is Designed with Willis’s Abilities in Mind

San Francisco has gotten this far on the strength of its offense. Willis has a great linebacking partner in NaVorro Bowman, who wound up leading the team in tackles.

First team All-Pro lineman Justin Smith leads a defensive line so good that the 49ers sent four or fewer rushers after the quarterback about 80 percent of the time and still finished with 31 sacks when having seven defenders into pass coverage.

Third-down specialist Aldon Smith had 14 sacks despite never starting a game.

This enables that Willis has the ability to go after the quarterback or cover the tight end, as needed, when not focused on shutting down the running game.

4. Willis Is Physically Healthy Again

The San Francisco linebacker was moving around well last week against the Saints, which was a delight for the 49ers.

In his previous game on Jan. 1 against St. Louis, he looked slow and ailing thanks to leg problems.

He’d missed the previous three games with a serious hamstring issue, and while he was deemed good enough to play against the Rams, he wasn’t good enough to be great.

3. Willis Is Mentally Healthy Again

Talking with the national media this week during a press conference at San Francisco, Willis said he’s fine again.

"I was hurting," Willis said when asked about his inability to shut down Saints’ tight end supreme Jimmy Graham. "I was down because I know that my teammates always count on me to be the defensive player that I am.

"To have a chance of redeeming myself feels great."

2. Willis Is a Fierce Tackler

The 49ers are gifted with a group of accomplished tacklers on defense, and it starts with Willis, who has been among the best in the game since breaking in five years ago with 137.

He’d never not finished in triple figures in tackles this year, and the only thing that limited him to 82 in 2011 was a three-game hamstring injury at the end of the season that slowed him in the season’s final month.

He has what pundits like to call "a nose for the football," and the Giants will discover that today.

Or, make that rediscover. He had nine tackles in the 49ers’ 27-20 win over the Giants back on Nov. 13.

1. Willis Is One of the Takeaway Guys

The 49ers have been as good as they come at taking the ball away, and Willis is a big part of the 49ers having 38 regular season takeaways – not to mention the five turnovers (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries) San Francisco came up against New Orleans last weekend.

He had one fumble recovery a week ago Saturday against the Saints, and for the regular year he had one interception and three fumble recoveries while having forced four fumbles.

He’ll be around the ball all day.