The Giants Prevail in San Francisco

Image courtesy of AP

About an hour after the ending to the NFC Championship game, I think I’ve finally conjured up the energy to write what I am truly saddened and displeased to say as the truth.

The Giants are going to the Super Bowl.

After a back-and-forth defensive game, special teams was the X-Factor in this 20-17 victory for New York. Punt Returner Kyle Williams muffed two crucial punts that led to Giants touchdowns: one in the fourth quarter and one in overtime, which, for all intents and purposes, ended the game.

Niners Wide Receivers did not have a catch until the final play of the third quarter, yet they still let 14-10 up until that reception with two touchdowns to Tight End Vernon Davis. But Quarterback Alex Smith needed to do more. He was just 12-of-26 passing: 46.2 percent. He threw for just 196 yards while counterpart Eli Manning threw for 316.

San Fran’s rushing game had a big edge against New York; the team rushed for 150 yards, compared to just 85 from the G-Men. Hakeem Nicks, a huge factor in the team’s previous two playoff games, was held in check, catching just five passes for 55 yards. The Niners D was on point; Carlos Rogers had 11 tackles, Patrick Willis had seven tackles and a sack and the team as a whole sacked Manning six times. Yet, even with these factors going the 49ers way, they still couldn’t pull off the W.

Alex Smith had multiple opportunities at the end of the game to lead his team, but in many people’s eyes, he failed. He would agree, too. The team went 1-of-13 on third down conversions. It seems like they really shot themselves in the foot.

In reality, however, with the way the defense played, Smith did more than enough. If it weren’t for Williams’ fumbles, San Francisco would be headed to Indy. Those two fumbles led to the go-ahead touchdown and the game-winning field goal for the Giants. It’s harsh to say the one single player cost the 49ers this game, but after a game that saw one player miss a chip-shot kick, we saw a player fumble on not one, but two punt returns. I can’t help but feel bad for him, but it’s unacceptable.

Now that Eli Manning has won the NFC for the second time, he has an opportunity in two weeks to outdo his big brother Peyton if he can win a second ring against the Patriots. It won’t be easy, but he should know that, seeing as how the last time either team was in the Super Bowl, it was against each other in 2008.

 The 49ers had a great season, going from a 6-10 NFC West bottom-dweller to a 13-3 NFC Powerhouse. But they ultimately did not have enough to stop the Giants tonight. And now, they’re heading to Indianapolis to attempt to win their second ring in four years. If they do? We’ll be hearing the words Eli and ELIte in the same sentence more than ever… and as much as it pains me to say, it’ll probably be hard for me to disagree.