Updated: Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Giants-49ers: 10 observations
Giants-49ers: 10 observations
By Matt Williamson
Scouts Inc.
New York at San Francisco
When: 6:30 PM ET
Watch: FOX
Preview
After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in the NFC Championship Game.
1. Keep the momentum rolling: The Giants are playing great on both sides of the ball. They are a very hot team right now. New York was extremely impressive in its upset victory over the Packers. The Giants will not be overwhelmed in the slightest going on the road again. The 49ers have lost only one game at home this season, and QB Alex Smith has played much better at home than on the road. The 49ers caused five turnovers against the Saints, which was as big a reason for that victory as anything. New York suffered a lot of minor injuries against Green Bay, and San Francisco has an extra day to prepare for this home game. These teams met in Week 10, with the 49ers squeaking out a 27-20 home win in a very competitive game.
2. Protect Eli: The Giants' pass protection was a huge problem in the regular season, but it has improved dramatically in the past month. And Eli Manning is a difficult quarterback to sack because of his great feel for the game, his deciphering skills vs. the blitz and his subtle movement skills to keep the play alive. Manning was sacked only once in the divisional round, but the 49ers are a far better pass-rushing defense than Green Bay. Manning has been sacked just six times in the Giants' past five wins. But New York is going to have its hands full with Justin Smith, Aldon Smith & Co.
3. Slow down Davis: 49ers TE Vernon Davis was dominant against New Orleans, accumulating 180 receiving yards and two touchdowns while showing off excellent run-after-the-catch skills. The Saints helped his cause by playing too much man coverage with players inferior to Davis. The Giants have allowed a lot of production by tight ends this season but surely will have a better game plan for slowing down the Niners' best weapon. Michael Boley is a very good coverage linebacker, and the Giants use three safeties with regularity in their "big nickel," even against heavier run personnel, which could be useful against Davis. Kenny Phillips, in particular, could match up reasonably well -- with help -- against Davis. New York's red zone defense against the pass has been a major problem area, and San Francisco's red zone offense is a major problem. Davis is not only the 49ers' most explosive receiver but also their best red zone option. Still, the Giants have allowed just one offensive touchdown in their two postseason games.
4. Show balance on offense: Although it is clear that New York is a much better passing offense than it is on the ground, coach Tom Coughlin wants a balanced attack and does not want to become predictable on offense. Staying balanced also is helpful with the Giants' play-action attack, which Manning executes very well. Ahmad Bradshaw is the lead back and has an excellent combination of aggression and quickness. Bradshaw is also a very good receiver -- and pass protector. Saints RB Darren Sproles did catch 15 passes against the 49ers, so that might be an area New York looks to exploit. Brandon Jacobs has been quite effective of late and is showing the aggression and power from early in his career. New York's running game has been outstanding in the red zone, but the Niners' red zone defense against the run is simply superb. Running backs are doing little to speak of against the 49ers' defense overall. The Saints mustered only 37 rushing yards.
5. Matchup to watch: Giants LT David Diehl vs. 49ers DE Justin Smith & OLB Aldon Smith: The Giants are going to have to help Diehl quite a bit. He is at a disadvantage against Justin Smith in the run and pass games and against Aldon Smith on throwing downs in protection. Aldon Smith is not an every-down player, but he is remarkably effective attacking the quarterback in limited snaps. Justin Smith has played as well as any defensive player in football this season. If you haven't watched him snap after snap yet, do so -- his consistency and effectiveness are remarkable. These two fantastic defenders also are exceptional stunting with each other. Diehl is going to have his hands full.
6. Protect Alex: Alex Smith played one of his best games as a professional against the Saints, throwing for 299 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. But Smith also threw the ball 42 times in that contest, which is not the 49ers' recipe for success. If that trend continues, Smith will take a ton of hits against the Giants. The Niners' protection is well below average, with the right side of the line being more of a liability than the left. The Giants' defensive line, especially in sub packages, also can cause a lot of problems from a recognition standpoint with how active it is with stunts and games.
7. Deal with best D-line in football: Now that Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are healthy, the Giants' defensive line has been unstoppable. Jason Pierre-Paul is a phenomenal physical specimen who has a massive one-on-one advantage against any member of the 49ers' protection schemes. The Giants' defensive ends are obviously fantastic, but the interior of the defensive line has been superb, as well. Chris Canty has stood out among this deep, versatile group, but he was injured late against Green Bay. New York's athleticism, depth and versatility up front are sure to provide massive problems for everything San Francisco is looking to accomplish on offense.
8. Slow down Nicks: As mentioned above with Davis, Hakeem Nicks had a dominating game in the divisional round with 165 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Nicks is a big-time talent with great leaping ability, huge strong hands and excellent after-the-catch skills. With the exception of Jimmy Graham last week, tight ends have done nothing against the Niners, but opposing wideouts are posting respectable numbers. And the Giants feature a very wide-receiver-heavy passing attack. San Francisco can expect to see plenty of three-wide-receiver sets with Nicks, Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz in the slot. Cruz is also great after the catch and has made an inordinate number of huge clutch plays this season. Maybe the greatest weakness of San Francisco's fantastic defense is its penchant for giving up big plays.
9. Dominate on the ground: Against New Orleans, the 49ers really never got their ground game going. They need to lean on Frank Gore more in this contest and, to a lesser extent, Kendall Hunter. The 49ers' running game is complex and difficult to prepare for. They use a wide variety of heavier personnel packages. This can be a very physical offense. Green Bay had quite a bit of success on the ground against the Giants, accumulating 147 rushing yards with a 6.4-yard average. The 49ers need a similar output.
10. Matchup to watch: 49ers WR Michael Crabtree vs. Giants CB Corey Webster: Crabtree is far and away the 49ers' best wide receiver -- and they are very light at this position outside of Crabtree, who had a solid all-around season. But more is needed from Crabtree than he showed in San Francisco's playoff win. Webster is far and away the Giants' best cornerback. These two are sure to tangle quite a bit Sunday.
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