49ers Vs. Giants: Will The Weather Impact Special Teams?
by David Fucillo on Jan 21, 2012 11:45 AM PST
in 2012 NFL Playoffs
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PrintAlthough the 49ers defense gets much of the publicity around the nation, we all know how important the special teams units are to the team's success. The list is long and glorious when it comes to key special teamers. Whether we're talking about David Akers, Andy Lee, Ted Ginn, Blake Costanzo, Anthony Dixon, CJ Spillman, Tavares Gooden or any one of a number of special teamers, these units have been downright dominant in 2011-2012.
The 49ers will potentially be missing Ginn on returns, but otherwise, the unit remains intact. Although the team would miss an absent Ginn, they still hold a sizable advantage over the Giants in special teams. The Giants were fairly solid in punt and kick coverage, but they struggled in punt and kick returns. They also were not particularly spectacular in their field goal unit, sitting in the bottom third of the league.
The weather tomorrow could make the special teams units all the more critical. You could make arguments for a variety of impacts in the nasty weather. The direction of the winds will be particularly intriguing for the punters and the kickers. In Las Vegas, they have a random prop parlay card where I can bet on over/under for number of made field goals. The number is three. While I was tempted to take the over, this weather scenario has me wondering how the kickers will handle this.
On the punting side, I had a couple thoughts. On the one hand, maybe we see return men dropping some slick footballs or they are slipping and falling while trying to make their moves. On the other hand, maybe a guy in a coverage unit slips and falls, opening up a lane for a returner. Or does it all just break even in the end?
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I dont think either team gains an advantage, they will both be affected equally
But I bet there is going to be a lot more big plays, like long touchdowns and turnovers, for both teams.
If both are affected equally
I say it’s still advantage Niners on ST
It will break even at worst, our advantage at best
And since we have a huge edge in ST from the get-go, so much the better for us. :-)
Who's got it better than Honey Badger? Honey Badger don't give a ....
Weather is pretty damn nice right now.
Maybe windy but I doubt it rains
Matt Cain is better than you, but apparently not cool enough for Showtime.
by homegrowntalent on Jan 21, 2012 12:17 PM PST via mobile reply actions
It's the tale of 2's
There has been two teams with rookie HC’s that have one SB one was Seifert the other was for the colts in the 60’s I believe. There has also been two 9-7 teams to make the SB the 1979 LA Rams and the 2008 AZ Cardinals each team lost to the Steelers. Should be a good game but we are home and that’s an advantage for us over a team that has had road struggles.
by MikeDv on Jan 21, 2012 12:25 PM PST via Android app reply actions
Road Struggles????
What Road struggles? The Giants have been one of the better teams in the NFL over the last few years playing on the Road. Actually they play better on the Road then they do at home. I dont have the exact numbers but if ya need me too i can get them
so just for the record
since 2007 the Giants are 26-14 playing on the Road. Again just curious as too what road struggles you are talking about
The giants
Were only 5-3 on the road upon entering the playoffs one of the worst out of the playoff teams.
by MikeDv on Jan 21, 2012 1:13 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
5-3
on the Road is great but ofcourse peoples opinions differ.
I said one of the worst among playoff teams
5-3 on the road is not terrible but it isn’t exactly great. I think the Giants are a good club and should be another great game to add to the record books. I have complete confedince in my 49ers however.
by MikeDv on Jan 21, 2012 1:22 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Yes
We are 8-1 at home and the stick should be a red out tomorrow
by MikeDv on Jan 21, 2012 1:24 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Oh I hope it is a red out!!!
That last game was just a thing of beauty! Nothing but red in the stands!
Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!
Giants overrated
Giants win streak was against Jets, Cowboys, and Falcons. All of them were going to self implode anyways. Packers was crap too. It’s obvious that any good defense can prevent Rodgers from scoring.
Really?
cause not to many teams stopped them from scoring all year.
Look back at their schedule
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/green-bay-packers/schedule/67046?q=green-bay-packers
How many of them do you see with good defense? I only see the Bears.
Really?
I mean we can all go back and look at the schedule and say this and that fact is they still scored the 2nd most points in NFL history. I dont expect you to agree with me and thats fine. But to say the Giants are overrated is really an Insult. But your intitled to your opinion we will find out tomorrow. But if the Giants win will you still consider them overrated???
I shall give them props if they beat the niners
I think the Giants are a good team and it was proven last time we met. I just think that the current hype they get from ESPN and NFLN is overated, considering the last 4 games. Maybe I’m just bitter? But I do believe Eli is an elite QB. He’s just going to be another notch under Alex’s belt after tomorrow.
You guys have a very good
STs but ours is not that bad at all either. Should be a great game and we are still 26 1/2 hrs to go OMG not going fast enough
Agreed. GET THIS GAME STARTED!
Who's got it better than Honey Badger? Honey Badger don't give a ....
I am so mad
that we have the late game but ohh well means i get to get my Hot wings done later in the day then first thing lol
Late for you
Assuming your in New York. 2:30 for me yay I don’t know if I could take waiting til 6:30 for this game
Last line said it all.
The weather factor is a break even for both teams. Both teams will slip. Alex and Eli will struggle passing. Both secondaries will slip in their coverage. The winning team will have to adjust to the conditions of the weather.
Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!
by Kittles on Jan 21, 2012 1:00 PM PST via Android app reply actions
I highly
Doubt Eli will struggle Passing but thats my opinion. I dont know how many games this year you guys have played in the Rain but the Giants have played in a few and Elis production didnt falter much if at all.
Of course you don't!
You’re a Giants fan! Lol.
Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!
by Kittles on Jan 21, 2012 1:04 PM PST via Android app up reply actions 1 recs
LOL
Well Hes been on fire pretty much all year no need for me to doubt him now.
What kills fire??? RAIN!!!
couldn’t help myself.
Thats cool
But sometimes Rain isnt enough. We will see what happens
apparently there's something called a playoff game!
that happen after the regular season ends… who knew?
Well
The cowboys game to end the season is one. For the rest id have to go bk and look my memory isnt that great right been drinking lol
If anything the weather should help our special teams!
Andy Lee is gonna be dropping punts inside the 5 like there lawn darts! I can just see the balls sticking in the ground nose first!
What is the forecast?
WTF ? The forecast changes every 3 hours!
This morning National Weather Service said chance of showers in morning with partly cloudy in the afternoon ….. Now it says showers all day long with rain in evening……
In all seriousness
how does rain affect a football in the kicking department? How difficult is it to kick a field goal accurately or punt the football the way you want to when the ball is wet? (giggity)
Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!
Andy Lee don't mind no rain
He could kick a cow 60 yards, field position will just make a tough job for the Giants even tougher. I trust Kyle on returns OK, but Crabs better get those hands warmed up and leave the dropsys at home.
"Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?"
John Bender - The Breakfast Club, 1985.
by Dr Cheese on Jan 21, 2012 3:06 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Niners got Lucky
Two clutch guys in crunch time Lance Moore and David Thomas for the Saints didn’t even play, bc of injuries, against the Lucky niners…There was a number of occasions in the game where Bress had plenty of time in the pocket but could not find an open receiver. In the last two years when that happened Moore and Thomas always found a way to become open on a continual basis. Just check out the highlights of Superbowl 2009. That day In Candle Stick when one play could decide the game those two guys were really missed. I wont even get into the defensive coaching decision to cover Vernon Davis man to man.Lucky niners…… By the way that coach is now gone.
niners didnt have to play the Saints at the Super Dome….Lucky niners
Plus dodging the bullet of not having to go Green Bay to play the Packers. When 9 out of 10 games the Packer beat the Giants at Lambeau. LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY.
whodatcat got bitter.
Delanie Walker, a guy that plays half a dozen rolls on offense, didn’t even play because of injuries, against the losing Saints…There was a number of occasions in the game where Alex had made perfect passes, but those passes slipped through hands. In earlier games this season, when that happened Delanie Walker stepped up and made plays on a continual basis. Just check out the highlights of the 2011 Lions and Giants games. That day in Candlestick when one play could decide the game, that guy was really missed. I won’t even go into the defensive decision to go for the ball instead of the tackle on the Jimmy Graham touchdown. Losing Saints…by the way the 49ers are playing in the NFC championship game.
Saints didn’t earn homefield advantage because they lost to the Bucs and Rams…Losing Saints.
Plus Green Bay lost in the only one of the 10 that matters. BITTER BITTER BITTER.
Sufficiently advanced sarcasm is indistinguishable from being an @$$hole.
by So. Cal. Niner. Fan. on Jan 21, 2012 7:31 PM PST up reply actions
Holy excuses!
Seems to me, the NIners are just the better team. Thanks for an awesome game though! GO NINERS!!
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