Giants vs. 49ers: 5 Key Players for Big Blue

The New York Giants take on the high-flying San Francisco 49ers this Sunday in what will surely be a stern examination of their postseason credentials.

The 49ers are winning games on the strength of a simple formula: a power running game and a swarming, intelligent defense.

If the Giants hope to topple the runaway NFC West leaders, they must win the battle up front and overpower San Francisco in the trenches.

Here are five players who must deliver strong performances for the Giants this Sunday.

5. Will Beatty

Left tackle Will Beatty is in for a busy afternoon against a 49ers defense that can rely on a combination of effective pass rushers from its right side.

Beatty will have to first contend with greybeard pressure specialist Justin Smith.  The evergreen defensive end is a powerful and relentless pass rusher, whose determination and upper body strength make him a consistent threat to collapse the pocket.

Outside linebackers Parys Haralson and Ahmad Brooks both utilize strength, speed and leverage to collapse the edges of a pass protection scheme.

The 49ers like to keep teams guessing and regularly move their starting outside linebackers around.  So Beatty must be prepared for both Brooks and Haralson throughout the game.

In nickel situations, first-round rookie Aldon Smith is quickly developing into a feared edge rusher for the San Francisco defense.

Smith is tremendously quick off the snap, and Beatty will need to ensure that his stance and footwork are correct in order hold off the speedy rookie.

4. Chris Canty

Containing star rusher Frank Gore has to be a priority for the Giants defense.  Unheralded defensive tackle Chris Canty must lead the charge for the New York run defense.

Canty is one of the finest run stuffers in the league.  The 6'7", 317-pounder must occupy and disrupt the interior of the 49ers offensive line and force Gore sideways.

Getting penetration up the middle is Canty's main task in this game.  This will force Gore outside and into Perry Fewell's edge blitzers.

3. Kenny Phillips

The Giants' regular use of the three-safety, 'Big Nickel' package could be the ideal way to corral Gore.  Fewell often attacks of the perimeter with safety blitzes.

Antrel Rolle is a frequent blitzer, but Kenny Phillips should be given more opportunities to attack the backfield against the 49ers.

His closing speed and sure tackling will prove crucial in chasing down and stopping the powerful Gore.  Fewell should blitz Phillips early and often and from multiple angles to disrupt the pattern and timing of the 49ers' running plays.

2. David Baas

Former 49er stalwart David Baas needs to dominate against his former team.  Baas has been struggling with injury in recent weeks.  But Giants.com reports that Baas has a good chance of returning this Sunday.

Baas must control mammoth San Francisco nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga.  The 49ers are by far the best defense in the league against the run and Sopoaga is a big reason why.

The 49ers have been very stout against the run in recent years, and much of the credit has gone to their talented inside linebackers.

But since the 6'2", 330-pound Sopoaga has been moved over the center, they have become even more ferocious.

The Giants will need some running game to keep the 49ers honest.  If Brandon Jacobs hopes to use his power inside, then Baas must handle Sopoaga.

1. Antrel Rolle

Usually at his best when operating at the line of scrimmage and attacking downhill, Antrel Rolle should adopt a more read-and-react mentality against San Francisco.

The Giants should use Rolle to shadow talented 49ers tight end Vernon Davis.  Although Michael Crabtree has emerged as Alex Smith's prime target in recent weeks, the Giants corners should be able to limit his production.

But Davis possesses the diverse skill set that could allow him to take over this game and exploit the Giants' suspect linebackers.

Rolle has a versatile range of abilities, including some excellent coverage instincts.  The three-safety package will allow the Giants to keep Rolle locked on Davis to contain him.

This game presents a difficult challenge for the Giants.  But the task is just as daunting for the 49ers.  The Giants are a talented, shrewd and experienced squad, well-versed in winning tough road games.

With strong performances from these five players, this author believes the Giants will pull off a huge win.