It was only a couple of weeks ago in week 17 where the Giants were in a do or die game vs. the Dallas Cowboys to earn a playoff berth. Now on Jan 20th about to go into the conference championship game, the Giants might be playing better football than anyone in the NFL.
The New York Giants find themselves in a familiar position this week: deep in the playoffs, on the road, and getting points from Las Vegas. Consider that a recipe for success. No team has worn the mantle of “playoff underdog” better than the Eli Manning’s team. While they have struggled with consistency, perhaps the only thing consistent about them is how underrated they are as a postseason force.
The Giants have played like a complete football team down the stretch. The Giants have looked VERY solid on the offensive side of the ball as Eli is playing with confidence and with some help of the strong hands of Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, Eli might be able to lead the Giants to the Super Bowl for the second year.
On the other side of the ball, the Giants have been able to form a consistent pass rush thanks to freakish athlete Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora. This has allowed them not to call as many blitzes and remain back in coverage while still putting pressure on the quarterback. The combination of pressure up front and a field flooded with defenders helped unsettle the best quarterback in the game in Aaron Rodgers, positioning the Giants for another Super Bowl run.
Now, though, they have to face a fired up San Francisco 49er team that just knocked off the hottest team in the NFL, and is hungry to restore their own franchise to glory.
The Giants will try to form a balanced attack of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs while still heavily leaning on Eli Manning’s arm.
Most think it is unlikely that the Giants will be able to run the ball effectively, however Brandon Jacobs is a physical back who can go blow for blow with the hard-hitting 49ers defense. I suspect the Giants will surprise many and be able to move the ball effectively against the 49ers. Eli Manning is not the same quarterback he was when these teams met in November, and I believe the strides he has made in his game will help the Giants offense immensely this week.
Unlike the Saints, the Giants won’t have to blitz Alex Smith to make sure he feels the pressure. While Smith’s game has improved, I think his true colors will shine bright when he sees the Giants 3 stud pass rushers in his face all game. The big key for the Giants is taking away Smith’s safety blanket Vernon Davis. Davis is a mismatch that the 49ers will look to exploit. If the G-Men keep Davis humble, I believe Smith and the 49ers offense will crumble.
I could be way off on this one however I see the Giants winning and by more than one score. In the NFL there is a formula to winning, get a franchise QB and be able to go after the QB. While the Niners have one, the Giants have both and it makes them a very scary team.
Dare I say, a Super team.
