HOLD ON:Mario Manningham let a pass slip through his fingers when the Giants met the 49ers in Week 10. If he and his fellow receivers can’t hold onto the ball in what is expected to be sloppy conditions Sunday, Eli Manning and Big Blue could be walking off the field at Candlestick Park losers again.
RIGHT STUFF: Saints running back Chris Ivory is stood up by linebackers Patrick Willis (left) and NaVorro Bowman — anchors of the 49ers’ nearly impenetrable run defense — during Saturday’s 36-32 playoff victory that set up an NFC Championship Game showdown with the Giants.
THE CENTER OF ATTENTION: Giants center David Baas played in 92 games for the 49ers, who drafted him in 2005. After greeting his former teammates during the regular season meeting this year, Baas said Sunday is a “business trip.”
ON A ROLLE: Antrel Rolle says the Giants are playing with such confidence and are so focused that there is no stopping them from winning a championship.
DOWN, NOT OUT: Eli Manning and the Giants came up short against Patrick Willis, Ahmad Brooks and the 49ers in Week 10, but will have their chance at revenge on Sunday.
SAVIOR: Mark Cannizzaro says Victor Cruz avoiding Eric Smith’s tackle and running for a 99-yard touchdown against the Jets in Week 16 was the play that saved the Giants’ season.
FEARLESS LEADER: Rookie 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said the Giants will be a “formidable’’ foe for his team in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game in San Francisco.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: Last night’s stunner in the NFC Divisional playoffs was just the latest underdog upset pulled off by Tom Coughlin and Justin Tuck’s Giants.
OUTFLEXING CLAY: Eli Manning runs, pursued by Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, during the fourth quarter of the Giants’ 37-20 victory yesterday in the NFC divisional playoffs at Lambeau Field.
JUST DO IT: Super Bowl XLII MVP Eli Manning is just one of the Giants’ many weapons, the sum of which is capable of knocking off the defending champion Packers today at Lambeau Field.
WE MEAN BUSINESS: Justin Tuck and his Giants teammates board buses on the way to the airport yesterday, bound for Green Bay and today’s NFC Divisional playoff game against the Packers at Lambeau Field.