This weekend, we are treated to a matchup of two NFC division leaders, and possibly the two best teams in the conference after the undefeated Packers. The 7-1 San Francisco 49ers host the 6-2 New York Giants on Sunday at 4:15pm ET from Candlestick Park.
While its dangerous to start talking about playoff implications halfway through the season – this game does have potential to affect the path in January. The 49ers and Giants are the only strong teams in two of the weaker divisions, as the 49ers have a five game lead on second place Seattle (2-6) and the Giants have a two game lead on second place Dallas (4-4). With the Packers looking like a runaway train for the top seed in the NFC, this game could determine which team gets the second seed and a bye week for the playoffs.
And both teams have reinvented their offenses from what these teams were traditionally known for. The 49ers, who once practically invented the west coast offense under Bill Walsh, with hall of fame QBs Joe Montana and Steve Young, are a power running, tough defensive team. And the New York Giants, known for a grinding, hard-running, offensive team have lived on Eli Manning’s arm this season.
The surprising 49ers have improved tremendously on last year’s 6-10 record, surpassing last year’s win total at the halfway point. This was viewed by many as a rebuilding year when they didn’t make significant changes from last year’s roster, but new coach Jim Harbaugh was happy with his team.
“I was really impressed with our players. It’s a great group of character guys and a lot of people describe it as a great locker room,” Harbaugh said. “They’re just good, strong, mighty, down to earth guys. Team means a lot to them.”
“[I’m] lucky to coach them.”
Harbaugh has the 49ers built around stopping the run, running the ball, and not turning it over. They have the top ranked rushing defense in the league, giving up only 70.8 yards per game, and they have the 6th ranked rushing offense in the league, averaging 137.8 yards per game.
Frank Gore has been rejuvenated this year, and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and 97.8 yards per game.
“He’s just a phenomenal football player,” Harbaugh said. “Just blessed with great instincts, tremendous vision, physical attributes that I’ve never seen in a running back.”
“The great ones, I think they crawl out of the crib having those kinds of instincts to run the football.”
Their passing game is not their strength, but former number-one overall pick Alex Smith is doing a great job of protecting the ball and playing within the confines of Harbaugh’s offense. He has only 2 interceptions all year, the lowest number among active starters, and he has a 97.3 QB efficiency, even though he is only passing for 183 yards per game.
The Giants, traditionally a strong running team, have relied much more on their passing game this year, and Eli Manning has made good on his statement that he belongs in the elite QB discussion with Brady, Rodgers and company. Manning is averaging 297 yards per game, and has thrown 15 TDs to just 6 INTs. The Giants have the 6th ranked passing offense in the league, but the 29th ranked rushing offense – a huge departure from years past.
Harbaugh views Manning as “a huge challenge. Eli has long been one of the top quarterbacks in the game. He has an excellent receiving corps and a great offensive line.”
“It’s a huge challenge, a mighty challenge for us and our team.”
Given the Giants difficulty running the ball, and the strength of the 49ers rushing defense, the onus is going to be on Manning for the Giants. And the Giants running defense is ranked near the bottom of the league (25th) giving up 127.1 yards per game.
Unfortunately, this plays right into the hands of the 49ers. Expect Frank Gore to have a big game running the ball, and the 49ers to sneak out a tough win at home.
