NFL Week 10: The Main Key to a New York Giants Win over the San Francisco 49ers

This shouldn't come as a shock to anyone, but the New York Giants need to stop the run on Sunday at Candlestick Park in order to beat the San Francisco 49ers.

It's no secret that the Giants, who are coming off an exhilarating fourth-quarter win over the powerhouse New England Patriots, have had a problem containing running backs this season.

Tom Coughlin's team are 24th in the league when it comes to total rushing yards allowed. They concede an average of 127.1 yards per game and have given up nine touchdowns.

San Francisco running back Frank Gore is putting together a monster season. He has rushed for 782 yards and five touchdowns so far, which puts him at No. 5 in total rushing yards in the NFL. With last week's performance of 127 yards and a touchdown, Gore has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in five consecutive games.

Gore's eight rushes of 20 yards or more is good for fourth in the NFL, and his 97.8 yards per game ranks him fifth.

If the G-Men keep Gore under 100 yards and out of the end zone, they will have a great opportunity to win the game.

The 49ers passing offense is weak, which will help the Giants to key in on the run. While Alex Smith is having an effective season (1,467 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions), the Niners rank 30th in the league in total passing yards. Jim Harbaugh's team are averaging only 174 throwing yards per game, as opposed to the Giants' 283.

With Bradshaw and Nicks not participating in practice this week, the Giants will look to Eli Manning and his main receiving corps of Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and Jake Ballard to lead the Giants to victory. This is a San Francisco team that is allowing 255 passing yards per game.

Brandon Jacobs will also be featured as the starting running back. The 29-year-old is coming off a 72-yard, one-touchdown performance, in what was his best game so far this season.

However, don't expect too much from him this weekend. The 49ers boast the No. 1 rush defense in the league, allowing a stingy 70.8 yards per game.

That being said, if the Giants' D contains Gore, and Manning plays as consistently as he has all season, the Giants will be 7-2 heading into a Sunday night showdown against the division rival "Dream Team" Philadelphia Eagles.