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NFL

    Giants vs. 49ers: Who Has the Special Teams Advantage?

    Zach Kruse@@zachkruse2X.com LogoSenior Analyst IJanuary 20, 2012

    BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 24: Ted Ginn #19 of the San Francisco 49ers returns a kick against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 24, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
    Rob Carr/Getty Images

    To preview the 2012 NFC Championship Game between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers, let's take a quick look at each teams' special teams unit. 

    New York Giants


    K Lawrence Tynes

    Tynes made just 19-of-24 field goals in the regular season and has missed two already in the postseason. An 80.9 percent kicker, Tynes had three kicks blocked in 2011. 

    P Steve Weatherford

    Weatherford has six punts in the postseason with an average of 46.5 yards per kick. Only one of those punts has been returned, and one other was downed inside the 20-yard line. During the regular season, Weather was the No. 14 punter at 45.7 yards per punt.  

    KR/PR Will Blackmon

    Blackmon hasn't been the same returner since suffering through several injuries in Green Bay. He's reliable with the football, but don't expect many big plays. Rookie Jerrel Jernigan also returns kicks for the Giants.  

    San Francisco 49ers

    Giants vs. 49ers: Who Has the Special Teams Advantage?
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    K David Akers

    Akers put together one of the top kicking seasons in NFL history in 2011. He made 44-of-52 field goals in the regular season and is a perfect 3-of-3 in the postseason. The 44 made field goals set an NFL record for a single season. Akers was named to both the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams. 

    P Andy Lee

    The NFC's Pro Bowl punter averaged 50.9 yards per punt in 2011, which led the NFL. In the postseason, Lee leads all punters with a 49.5-yard average on eight punts. He's been a special teams weapon all season long. 

    KR/PR Ted Ginn

    Ginn finished with the third-highest kickoff return average (27.5 yards) and fourth highest (12.3 yards) on punts. He had touchdowns on both units, including a 102-yard kickoff return for a score. There won't be a faster player on the field Sunday than Ginn. 

    Advantage: 49ers

    It goes without saying that the 49ers have a clear edge in special teams. Tynes and Weatherford are serviceable, but they are no comparison to the 49ers' combination of Akers/Lee. Ginn is also a weapon that New York has to game-plan for. If there's an area that clearly favors one team over the other, it's on special teams.