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All That’s At Stake for the Giants: The Super Bowl

As big as the games have been for the Giants over the last month, there are few games bigger than the NFC Championship Game. Win, and you get to experience all of the excitement and build-up to the Super Bowl. Lose, and the season takes on far less significance in NFL history. 

So the Giants know what the stakes are. Of course, there is a team standing in their way that is playing some of the best football in the league. The San Francisco 49ers, in front of their home crowd, will present a formidable opponent to the Giants' Super Bowl run. But for a team that has played four must-win games in a row, the pressure is nothing new. Now, the Giants must go out and play the way they've played for the past month. 

Here are the ways the Giants will win (or lose) on Sunday evening: 

The Giants will win if: 

• The Giants' front four dominates. Remember what the Baltimore Ravens did to Alex Smith on Thanksgiving? Nine sacks on the 49ers quarterback kept Smith on his back all night. If the Giants can get that kind of pass rush on Smith, the Giants will advance to the Super Bowl.
• Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs combine for 125 yards. The 49ers run defense is incredibly stout, so if the Giants can find a way to run effectively, they should be able to put points on the board.
• Eli Manning throws less than two interceptions. Though the Giants have been turnover prone in their losses, Manning has been outstanding this season. If he plays another great game, and limits mistakes, the Giants should be in good shape.
• The game is close in the 4^th quarter. As well as Smith played for the 49ers against the Saints, I still like Manning in a close game. With a tie game and two minutes to go, I like Manning over Smith in this game.

The Giants will lose if: 

• Frank Gore gets loose. The 49ers would love to control the clock with the run game. If the Giants are unable to limit Gore's production, it will put a lot of pressure on the rest of the team.
• The Giants don't play a clean game. Penalties, dropped passes and fumbles did the Green Bay Packers in a week ago against the Giants. They need to look no further than that game tape to see the perils of making mistakes in such a big game.
• Vernon Davis goes wild. You have to figure the Giants will pay particularly close attention to Davis after the monster game he had against the Saints, but if the 49ers can find a way hit Davis for some big plays, the Giants will be in trouble.

As well as the 49ers have played this season, the Giants seem like a team of destiny. I don't expect that to change on Sunday, as the Giants punch their ticket to Indianapolis.

Prediction: Giants 30, 49ers 21

Photo Credits: Digitalglobalsports.com