NFC Championship Preview: Giants vs. 49ers Prediction

Welcome to our NFC Championship game preview that’s accompanied by our prediction for the big game. It’s not the Packers vs. Saints final we dreamed of, but this is still a great match-up between historic NFL franchises.

Unlike the AFC Championship, that has the top two seeds battling it out, we get the #2 San Francisco 49ers hosting the #4 ranked New York Giants on the NFC side. It will retro day as these teams last meet in the NFC Title game back during the 1990 NFL season.

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49ers vs. Giants: NFC Championship Game Day Preview

With a trip to Super Bowl XLVI on the line, kickoff for this NFL Playoff betting action is slated for 6:30 PM ET, on Sunday, January 22, 2012, from Candlestick Park, in San Francisco, CA.

San Francisco (13-3 Home 7-1) after compiling a 46-82 record dating back to the 2003 season, were a stellar 13-3 during the 2011 NFL regular season. The 49ers are back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season when they defeated the Giants 39-38 in the Wild Card round.

New York (9-7 Road 5-3) struggled through the 2011 NFL regular season but they have now pounded the Atlanta Falcons, and shocked the defending Super Bowl Champion Packers, in the 2011 Playoffs. The G-Men are looking to get to their fifth Super Bowl (3-1) in the past 26 years.

NFC Championship Recent History & Betting Trends

Looking back on recent NFC Championship betting trends, we find a path that’s been dominated by the Dogs. Dating back to the 1998 NFL season the underdogs own an impressive 8-4 record against the spread. The Packers covered in the 2010 NFC Title game – halting a run of three straight covers by the pups. Home teams have 6-4 straight up record in the last ten NFC Championship games.

Game total bettors have padded their bankroll by betting on the OVER in recent NFC Title games. Last years Packers vs. Bears tilt stayed UNDER the line, but the OVER has been golden in seven of the past ten contests. The Giants last win, 23-20 in 2007 over the Packers, surpassed the total.

Today’s 42 point line has been the number twice, in the last 23 contests, and stayed under both times. Game totals of 42 points or greater have a 10-5 record favoring the OVER since 1989.

NFL Playoff Betting Odds: New York vs. San Francisco Free Pick Prediction

We turn to brand new Sportsbook at Bovada.com for the betting lines on our Free Pick Prediction. If you are looking for LIVE sports betting, throughout this contest, Bovada is the place to be!

After getting over the initial disappointent, of not getting a Saints vs. Packers NFC Championship, we have warmed up to this match-up some. New York has been in playoff mode for five weeks now and are as close to healthy as possible. San Fran and New York have both won four straight games.

New York is one of the best road teams in the league as proven by the fact that they won four straight road games to capture Super Bowl XLII. Big Blue has had at least one player with over 100 yards receiving in eight of their last nine games. The G-Men also bring a vastly different (read better) defense to the table than the one served up by the Saints last weekend.

San Francisco delivers a steady, though not spectacular, mix of pass and catch on offense, while they punish teams with a super fast moving defense. The 49ers have not had a running back gain over 89 yards in nine straight games. In contrast to the Giants passing machine, the Niners had just three receivers with over 100 yards during the regular season.

Back in Week 10, the start of a Giants four game losing streak, San Francisco scored a 27-20 home win over New York. The game was close as SF stopped a 16 play NY drive, that went for 52 yards and ended at the Niners ten yard line, to seal the win. Ahmad Bradshaw sat out that game and the G-Men are a much better offense when he is on the field – as he will be Sunday.

Eli Manning will need to be aware of Niners cornerback Carlos Rogers after the first time Pro Bowler picked him off twice back in the Week 10 contest. A Giants win gets them a rematch of the previously mentioned Patriots Super Bowl game, or the Super Bowl XXXV loss to the Ravens.

While the future is bright in San Francisco, and they have a tough as nails defense, we see their 2011 run ending today. As is the case in the Patriots vs. Ravens AFC Championship, the better QB will be the deciding factor in this contest. Start spreading the New York vs. New England news.

>>> Back NYG over SF at +3 (-135) with the Bovada Point Spread <<<