The Niners basically lost this game because of WR/KR/PR Kyle Williams yesterday.  He was 0 for 4 catching passes and he lost two fumbles that led to 10 points, including the Giants’ game winning field goal in overtime.  Alex Smith was so-so in this game as he completed 12 of 26 passes for 196 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs.  He also carried the ball 6 times for 42 yards (7.0 ypc) in this game.  Frank Gore led the way on the ground for the Niners in this game with 74 yards rushing on 16 carries (4.6 ypc).  He also caught 6 passes for 45 yards (7.5 avg) in this game.  Kendall Hunter pitched in with 31 yards rushing on 4 carries (7.8 ypc).  TE Vernon Davis led the way in the passing game with 3 grabs for 112 yards (37.3 avg) with 2 TD receptions for the Niners.  The 49ers finished up with 150 yards rushing on 28 carries (5.4 ypc) and they also completed 12 of 26 passes (46.2%) for 178 yards as they had possession of the ball for 28:18.

The Niners have some coverage issues yesterday and it hurt them in the end.  The Niners had six sacks as they were laying a big time beating on Eli Manning, but he kept getting up and making big throws.  LB NaVorro Bowman (14 tackles, 1/2 a sack and 1 QB hit), CB Carlos Rogers (11 tackles and 1 pass defensed) and LB Patrick Willis (8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 pass defensed and 2 QB hits) led the way for the 49ers in this game.  DE Justin Smith (7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss and 4 QB hits) and DT Ray McDonald (5 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 tackle for a loss and 2 QB hits) also had rock solid games for the Niners in this game.  The Giants finished up with 85 yards rushing on 26 carries (3.3 ypc) and they also completed 32 of 58 passes (55.2%) for 267 yards.  It’s a shame that the NFC Championship came down to a punt returners mistakes.  Kyle Williams is probably the most famous man in San Francisco today…..for all of the wrong reasons.  The 49ers’ season ended with a thud.

The San Francisco 49ers got an improbable win over the Saints in the final minute last weekend as Alex Smith turned in a Montana like effort.  He might have to do that again this Sunday as the Giants looked pretty damn good in thumping the Packers at Lambeau Field last weekend.  Here is a look at the matchups in the NFC Championship Game:

When the 49ers have the ball:  The 49ers are going to come out running the ball with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter in this game.  They should have success on the ground as the Giants are a little soft in the middle and at linebacker.  The Niners need to establish a good running game to A.) keep the clock moving, B.) slow the Giants pass rush and C.) keep the Giants offense on the sideline.  If the Niners are forced to be one dimensional by throwing the ball in this game, QB Alex Smith is going to get battered and bruised.  The Niners have had protection issues at times this year, but for Smith to have a chance to make some big plays down the field…he’s going to need time to throw the ball.  The Giants’ safeties are no match for TE Vernon Davis, so he should have another big game.  WR Michael Crabtree is going to have to man up and put his alligator arms away for this game.

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants saw the tape last week of the Saints’ game against the Niners.  I expect that they will only run enough to keep the front seven of the Niners somewhat honest.  The Giants know that they aren’t going to move the ball by running it with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs against the very stingy run D of the Niners.  The Niners will need DE Justin Smith, OLB Aldon Smith and the rest of the defense to get after Eli Manning.  Manning will make mistakes if he’s getting rushed or hit.  If he has time to throw the ball though, he has as many weapons as Drew Brees had last weekend.  WRs Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham and TE Jake Ballard are all good targets in the passing game.  The secondary is going to have to step up this Sunday if the Niners are going to the Super Bowl.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 27, 49ERS 17

The San Francisco 49ers are in for a challenge tomorrow afternoon at Candlestick Park.  The Niners are an old school team that wins by running the ball and playing defense.  They are built to win on any kind of field regardless of weather.  The Saints on the other hand, are a team that wins by outscoring their opponent with a high powered offense.  But, the Saints are nowhere near as good of a team on the road as they are at home in the SuperDome.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the 49ers have the ball:  The 49ers are going to tighten their chinstraps and try to run the ball right down the Saints’ throats tomorrow with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter leading the way.  They should have success running the ball as the O-Line is nasty in attack mode.  If the Niners are successful running the ball, they should be able to hit some passes off play action.  WR Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon Davis are likely going to be the Niners’ top targets in the passing game.  The 49ers need to give Alex Smith time to throw the ball as the Saints love to blitz.  I think he’s going to have a decent game throwing the ball tomorrow.

When the Saints have the ball:  The Saints are going to come out throwing the ball in this game.  The Niners are going to have to get after Brees with the Smith & Smith connection.  Rookie OLB Aldon Smith has been a pass rushing beast this year, and Justin Smith is also going to get to Brees in this game.  The Saints have an outstanding set of WRs and TEs in Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem….so the Niners’ secondary are going to be challenged big time tomorrow afternoon.  The Saints should be able to corral Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas in this game as Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman are going to be locked in.

PREDICTION:  49ERS 23, SAINTS 20