Post by plax on Oct 13, 2012 18:51:14 GMT -5
Sunday, October 14th ; 4:25 PM EST ; Candlestick Park
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Top 5 Players to Watch
New York:
5 - David Wilson - There have been rumors that the Giants could have possibly been waiting to use Wilson a lot until this game to catch SF off-guard. That is interesting, but not the reason I have him here. He has been a beast on returns this year (I believe he is 2nd in KR average), and if he can give good field position to the Giants, look out. This can be Wilson's break out game.
4 - Kevin Boothe - The Giants OLine has actually not been TOO bad this year, overall, but have been inconsistent. Boothe will have the task to defend Justin Smith this week, one of the best in the game. Eli is going to need time to make plays, so Boothe will have to be on top of his game.
3 - Keith Rivers - Rivers has been out the past two weeks due to injury, but should return this week, and to have a HUGE task - to defend Vernon Davis. In the NFCCG, Davis single-handedly dominated the Giants. Rivers is probably the most athletic LB for the Giants (minus Jacquian Williams, IMO), so he will have to keep up with Davis and not let him kill us again. A big task for the new Giant, can he step up to the plate?
2 - Hakeem Nicks - I am not worried about Cruz, he will get open, he will get his targets, he will get his receptions. It is said that Hakeem Nicks will be playing his first game since his 199 yd. performance. When Eli has Nicks and Cruz playing on the field together, he is nearly unstoppable. So if Nicks shows he is healthy and can draw coverage, the Giants can be big on offense, and that can even help open up the running game.
1 - Eli Manning - Last time Eli met the 49ers, it was in the NFCCG. In that game, Eli was flawless against the top ranked defense. Even though he was hit MANY times, he got back up and got ready for the next play. The Giants are underdogs in this game, and the Giants have to like that. This game will rely on Eli and Eli alone, IMO. Gotta be perfect.
San Francisco:
5 - Frank Gore - Many said Gore would slow down this year, but that has not been the case. He has been one of the league's top RBs, so he must have a big game to help Smith create things in the passing game.
4 - Aldon Smith - Aldon Smith is the 49ers most explosive pass rusher, and has the power and speed to kill OL-man. The 49ers will win by getting to Eli and forcing him to make mistakes. A big part of that is Aldon Smith having a big game.
3 - Carlos Rogers - Rogers will have the task of defending Cruz/Nicks. Last year, Cruz has his way with Rogers, racking up multiple receptions in the 1st half along. Rogers will have to hold his own and give his Front 7 enough time to get to Eli.
2 - Vernon Davis - Davis is one of the most dominant players in the game today, and is practically the ultimate mis-match. No one guy can cover him by himself, so Davis should have a good game, whether is is catching, blocking, or being a decoy on certain plays.
1 - Alex Smith - He has been great this year, and the team will rest on his shoulders to make the plays needed to put SF over the top. Last year, all Smith had was Davis. Now he has Manningham and Moss to spread the field, and Crabtree has also improved a great deal. Can he use them right to help him get a W over the Giants to get revenge?
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Keys to the Game
New York:
3 - Keep the SF D on their toes. - If we have to rely on the pass (which we probably will), the SF D will focus on it and give us a very hard time. We have to mix it up when they do not expect it. Make them be honest, and good things can happen.
2 - Stop the run.- Gore has been SF's best weapon this year. If the Giants are going to win, they have to stop Gore. Make Smith beat you through the air - that is their best shot.
1 - Perseverance. - The game will be tough, do not get frustrated and try to force things. Let the game come to you, play Giants football, and you will be alright.
San Francisco:
3 - No mistakes - Smith has been great this year, and in large part because of his ability to play clean. If he starts screwing up, it can hurt SF and help the Giants a lot.
2 - Run the ball down their throat.- Gore and Hunter are a great 1-2 punch.The Giants have not been too good at stopping the run this year, as they have been allowing a lot of holes. SF must exploit these holes, and if they can do so, they will be tough to stop.
1 - Force pressure on Eli. - Eli beat you last time, do not let him have an opportunity to do it again. Even if he gets back up after a hit, he feels it, so keep doing it.
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Sean's Key Battles:
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Plax's Predictions:
Stat Predictions:
Eli Manning - 306 passing yards, 2 TDs.
Ahmad Bradshaw - 16 ATT, 70 rush yards. 3 REC, 16 rec yards. 0 TDs.
David Wilson - 9 ATT, 50 rush yards. 2 REC, 19 rec yards. 135 RET yards. 0 TDs.
Victor Cruz - 8 REC, 102 rec yards, 1 TD.
Hakeem Nicks - 9 REC, 90 rec yards. 0 TDs.
Martellus Bennett - 3 REC, 40 rec yards, 0 TDs.
Defense:
Sacks: Linval Joseph, Osi Umenyiora & Jason Pierre-Paul x1
TOs: Jacquian Williams FR x1. Antrel Rolle INT x1.
* FR = rumble recovery
Game Expectations:
People are saying SF will get their revenge this week. While that can easily be the case, the Giants play amazing against amazing teams, so I expect the Giants to keep it close throughout the entire game. With the score 16-10, Eli drives the Giants down for a TD with less than a minute left. The TD? To Victor Cruz, who salsas in honor of his grandmother.
17
16
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Sean's Predictions:
Stat Predictions:
Game Expectations:
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Madden 13's Predictions:
Stat Predictions:
Eli Manning - 19-32, 263 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
Ahmad Bradshaw - 17 ATT, 106 rush yards, 1 TD.
Rueben Randle - 4 REC, 73 rec yards, 0 TDs.
Alex Smith - 14-25, 244 pass yards. 1 TD. 1 INT.
Frank Gore - 17 ATT, 67 rush yards, 1 TD.
Michael Crabtree - 3 REC, 57 rec yards, 0 TDs.
Game Analysis:
In what could end up being a preview of the NFC Championship Game, the 49ers and Giants trade scores and hard hits for four quarters, taking a 17-17 tie deep into the final minutes until David Akers boots a 32-yard field goal to give San Francisco the 20-17 victory. Alex Smith continues to impress, throwing for 244 yards to help lead his team to an impressive 5-1 start.
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