#4 New York Giants vs. #2 San Francisco 49ers
Date: Sunday, January 22nd 2012, 6:30 EST (FOX)
Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
Previous Meeting(s): 49ers 27 Giants 20
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| Alex Smith busted the "Bust" Label with his impressive playoff win and late game heroics |
-We thought that all the 49ers could do was run the football, run out the clock and Alex Smith was merely a "Game Manager". We were wrong Alex Smith can throw the football and he showed that the 49ers can match high scoring offenses. Saturday against the Saints, Smith threw for 299 Yards and 3 Pass TD's and added a 28 yard Rush TD as well. His favorite target is Vernon Davis who unleashed against the Saints for 180 Receiving Yards and 2 TD's, including one to win the game. Even without the Passing game the 49ers have Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter to rely on, and both backs can break a long run at any time. When the 49ers take the field against the Giants expect them to use the run often against the Giants 19th ranked Rush Defense, and that will wear down the Giants defense and enable the 49ers to pass later in the game.
Keys to the Game:
1.) Get Pressure on Eli
2.) Hold onto the football
3.) In Vernon Davis we trust
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| The Giants are getting hot, but if they want to make it back to the Super Bowl they will have to beat a Elite 49ers Defense |
-The New York Giants are burning hot right now, after running over the Falcons in the Wild Card Round, they went to the air against the Packers and found success often. Eli Manning went off for 330 Yards with 3 TD's and only 1 INT. 2 of those TD's came on big plays to Hakeem Nicks (165 Receiving Yards 2 TD's). The Giants were nearly perfect when they went to the air, but they didn't find as much success on the ground until later in the 4th Quarter when the game was in hand.. Against the 49ers No.1 Ranked Rushing Defense, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw aren't likely to find much success. If the Giants can't establish the run the pressure will be on Eli Manning to win this game. Manning has already proven he was Elite, now he has to do it again if he wants to make it to his 2nd Super Bowl
Keys to the Game:
1.) Create Pressure
2.) Use the Middle of the Field
3.) Give Eli time.
Prediction: Giants 27
49ers 24
#2 Baltimore Ravens vs. #1 New England Patriots
Date: Sunday, January 22nd 2012, 3:00 EST (CBS)
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
Previous Meeting(s): None
When New England has the Ball:
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| At this point it doesn't matter who is going against Tom Brady, he just can't be stopped |
Keys to the Game:
1.) Make Flacco Throw
2.) Use the Gronk Monster
3.) Keep 8 in the Box
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| The key for the Ravens will be defense, and even at the age of 33, Reed is still the key to stopping Brady |
The Baltimore Ravens are well known for their great defense, but their offense isn't always "eye-popping". They are led by Pro Bowl Ray Rice (2,068 Total Yards 15 TD's). Rice is the Ravens Swiss Army Knife on Offense. He has become one of Joe Flaccos' favorite targets. Even if Rice is blocking, Flacco does have other options. WR Anquan Boldin (57 Catches 887 Yards 3 TD's) and rookie WR Torrey Smith (50 Catches 841 Yards 7 TD's). Unfortunately, the Ravens don't give the ball to Rice nearly as much as they should, and they instead rely upon QB Joe Flacco. When the Ravens take on the 31st ranked Pass Defense it may seem like a cushy match up, but the Patriots are a very opportunistic defense creating 34 Turnovers (23 INT's 11 FF's). If the Ravens want to knock off the Patriots and make their first trip to the Super Bowl since 2000.
Keys to the Game:
1.) Put Pressure on Brady
2.) Establish the Run
3.) Create Early Turnovers
Prediction: Patriots 31
Ravens 17
Nice job. I am once again impressed and I think you did a good job on keys to the game. My game to watch is definitely the NFC game. I think those defenses will shine more than the offenses have in the past couple of weeks. Well done once again!
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