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Kevin Maltby on Who's on the plane?

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Sweet revenge?

Kevin Cadle looks forward to the 49ers' showdown with the Giants

Features Posted 12th October 2012 view comments

Sunday's live NFL double-header on Sky Sports concludes with the San Francisco 49ers hosting the New York Giants in a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game.

Our NFL expert Kevin Cadle is looking forward to a match-up between on the league's best offenses and its most fearsome defence and expects a closely-fought contest at Candlestick Park.

New York Giants (3-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (4-1), Sun 9.15pm, live on Sky Sports 4HD

The 49ers will be out for revenge but there are so many other things going on in this game.

New York Giants: Won at Candlestick Park in the NFC Championship Game last season

New York Giants: Won at Candlestick Park in the NFC Championship Game last season

There is Eli Manning against Alex Smith, who is the No. 1 quarterback in the NFL this season as far as QB rating goes. Two or three years ago they were ready to run him out of town - what a difference a day makes.

And also what a difference a day makes when you get the kind of coach, in Jim Harbaugh, who fits who you are. The 49ers have also got Frank Gore at running back and their defence has given up three points in the last eight quarters - that's a field goal in the last eight quarters!

They will be going up against Eli and an offense which is clicking. The defence of the Giants is what carried them last year and it could be the difference in the game. So far the New York Giants' defence is just not at the level of where they need to be compared to the San Francisco 49ers.

The difference between the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills or the New York Jets, who the 49ers have played in the last two weeks, is the Giants have quality at quarterback and receiver, which neither the Bills nor the Jets have.

The Giants possess a passing game that will be a threat and will create opportunities. So it's a little bit different compared to who the 49ers have played in the last few games.

I'm not surprised the 49ers have been doing so well again this year because the nucleus of the defence is back, the coaching staff is back and from the offensive standpoint, they went out and got Mario Manningham and Randy Moss.

Running game

They already had the running game so they complemented Alex Smith with more weapons.

And to have Colin Kaepernick come in and do the thing that Tim Tebow was supposed to be so good at, he's making Tebow look like less than a rookie.

He's been doing a tremendous job of running the wildcat. So many things are falling into place that were starting to be put into place last season.

I put it down to Harbaugh, he's the complete opposite to previous coach Mike Singletary. Mike wanted to challenge everybody physically and mentally and Harbaugh has a completely different temperament as far as the coaching goes. I think you've got to like what he's done.

Going back to the Giants - I look at the NFC East and that is why I think it is so important for Philadelphia against Detroit.

The Redskins are led by a rookie quarterback and have lost two of their main guys on defence. You don't know what you're going to get with the Dallas Cowboys from week to week, they are such a flaky team and organisation.

Philly are also up and down, so I have to say I like the chances of the Giants in the East. They seem to be more stable mentally than their counterparts.

Kev's Call... Well this is a tough one for me. I like the form of San Francisco but I think the Giants still might have their number.

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