NEW YORK GIANTS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
American Football : North America : NFL : NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, January 22nd, 2012, 6:30PM US
(11:30PM GMT)

---

PREVIEW

Boy this is a tough game to pick. So I'm not going to!

The San Francisco 49ers had not been to the playoffs since 2002. They had not been to the Championship game since 1997. They now want to put an end to the wait they have endured since 1994 to finally go back to the Superbowl. Only the New York Giants, NFL's biggest party-poopers, stand in their way.

New York were beaten 27-20 by the 49ers in Week 10, and were in a serious midseason slump that threatened to end their season. However, they got their act together and reeled off a couple of wins to get to the postseason, where they first dismantled the visiting Atlanta Falcons before upsetting the 1 loss defending champions Green Bay in Lambeau Field. They are on the road again, but they are now being taken a lot more seriously, underdogs of 2.5 points due to them being the travelling team.

Eli Manning has gotten them here, for sure, but you have to give respect to the throttling New York defence. They know exactly how to pressure and stress out opposing QBs and they almost never give up a big play. In their last 4 games they allowed 1 passing play for 34 yards and 2 for 21 yards each. That's quite an amazing stat.

San Francisco too are lights out on defence, have been all season. You might point at the 32 points they allowed the Saints last week but bear in mind the Saints had possession 16 times! They were allowed yardage, but the 49ers stopped them when it mattered. Alex Smith may have been doubted until last year but this year the 49ers QB has done what was asked. The 49ers have a great ground game but Smith has aired it out when needed. His late drives against the Saints were fantastic, considering the pressure he was under. He finished with 299 yards and 3 TDs there, and in the previous match against the Giants he had another 242 passing yards and also chipped in with some running, including a score, as Frank Gore was injured. Reliable he most certainly is proving to be.

Crucially, the defence made big stops against the Giants in Week 10. New York managed 302 passing yards but they were allowed just 1 TD in 4 trips to the 49ers redzone. Manning was also intercepted twice in that game, and that is a danger for the Giants here, as they are facing a 49ers team that has the 2nd most interceptions with 23.

The Giants too will be hard to get past, as they have proved by the way they squashed Atlanta and then frustrated the normally deadly Aaron Rodgers. New York have 17 sacks in their current 4 game winning streak and that is something Alex Smith should be worried about.

Jim Harbaugh, the rookie coach of the 49ers is bidding to get to the Superbowl in his first year to hopefully meet his brother's Baltimore Ravens. I know everyone wants an Giants v Patriots rematch, but it would be a cracking match if the Ravens met the 49ers for Round II of the Harbaugh Sibling Rivalry after the two met during Thanksgiving.

BETTING VERDICT

Very tough to call it, so I won't, even though my heart wants the 49ers to dump the Giants out. With the Giants beating the Patriots in the Superbowl, and knocking off the Favre led Packers and the Rodgers led Packers, it would make me very happy. But I've seen what they can do on their day, so I'm not going to bet against them and give them another reason to piss me off.

In the Week 10 game these two held each other back for a very long time, with the first TD coming in the 2nd half. They kicked 6 FGs to start and I can see a similar defensive performance in this one where teams will take what points they can get and then try and give the other a long field and try and stop the others drives.

Pinnacle is offering a rather tasty looking 2.18 on Over 3.5 FGs to be made. Take that, and enjoy what should be an fantastic game.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

San Francisco 49ers

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Over 3.5 Field Goals to be made @ 2.18 (Pinnacle)