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  • HECTOR AMEZCUA / hamezcua@sacbee.com

    Coach Jim Harbaugh anticipates the 49ers' next move against the Giants in Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park. In his first season as coach, Harbaugh led the 49ers to a 13-3 regular-season record and a playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints last weekend.

  • PAUL KITAGAKI JR. / pkitagaki@sacbee.com

    The 49ers' Kyle Williams lies on the ground after he fumbled the ball on a punt return in overtime. The Giants recovered and went on to win and advance to the Super Bowl against the Patriots on Feb. 5.

  • PAUL KITAGAKI JR. / pkitagaki@sacbee.com

    Quarterback Alex Smith makes a throw on the run in the third quarter Sunday. Smith completed 12 of 26 passes for 196 yards as the 49ers' passing game came up short, particularly late in the game and overtime.

  • PAUL KITAGAKI JR. / pkitagaki@sacbee.com

    Tight end Vernon Davis celebrates after scoring in the third quarter in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Giants. Davis caught three passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns in the 49ers' loss.

  • JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS / jvillegas@sacbee.com

    Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes and holder Steve Weatherford watch Tynes' 31-yard field goal that won the game with 7:06 left in overtime. The Giants converted two mishandled punts by the 49ers' Kyle Williams into their final 10 points.

  • PAUL KITAGAKI JR. / pkitagaki@sacbee.com

    Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is brought down by 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers. Cruz made 10 receptions for 142 yards.

  • JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS / jvillegas@sacbee.com

    Coach Jim Harbaugh reacts late in the fourth quarter after a 49ers fumble recovery was nullified because the play had been blown dead. "It looked like a fumble," he said.

  • PAUL KITAGAKI JR. / pkitagaki@sacbee.com

    Giants tight ends Jake Ballard, left, and Bear Pascoe celebrate Pascoe's second-quarter touchdown. Pascoe, a third-stringer, said he was "just glad I made a play to help us get going."

  • PAUL KITAGAKI JR. / pkitagaki@sacbee.com

    Giants tight end Bear Pascoe, who played at Fresno State, scores his first NFL touchdown in the second quarter against the 49ers at Candlestick Park.

  • JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS / jvillegas@sacbee.com

    Giants defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul, left, and Justin Tuck, right, sack 49ers quarterback Alex Smith in the third quarter Sunday. Smith was 12 of 26 passing for 196 yards and two touchdowns.

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49ers Report Card: The NFC Championship Game

Published: Monday, Jan. 23, 2012 - 12:00 am | Page 5C
Last Modified: Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012 - 11:09 am

REPORT CARD

• Offense: The 49ers only have one serious weapon in the passing game, tight end Vernon Davis. He catches three passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, but it's evident at the end of the game that the 49ers need more help in the passing game. Grade: C

• Defense: Cornerback Carlos Rogers had his hands full with Victor Cruz in the first half, but the defense clamps down on Cruz and throttles Eli Manning in the second half. An apparent forced fumble was nullified when officials ruled forward progress had been stopped on a play. Grade: B+

• Special teams: This game will be forever known as the Kyle Williams game. Substituting for Ted Ginn, Williams turns the ball over twice on punt returns, and the last one sets the Giants up for an easy, NFC-clinching field goal. Grade: D

• Overall: The 49ers, who lived off of turnovers all season, die by them. Still, their formula worked well in 2011, and with a few tweaks in the offseason – including bringing in a top wideout – they should be contenders again. Grade: B

– Matthew Barrows

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