Even with all the points, Niners’ D set the tone in win over New Orleans

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO

With New Orleans poised to score on its opening possession, Donte Whitner delivered a crushing blow that knocked out running back Pierre Thomas and forced the first of five Saints turnovers.

San Francisco’s hard-hitting, opportunistic defense set the tone in the 49ers’ thrilling 36-32 playoff win the same way it has all season.

From Justin Smith and Aldon Smith harassing Drew Brees all day, to Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman shutting down the running game and Dashon Goldson making punishing hits and key plays from the secondary, the defense is the biggest reason for the resurgence in San Francisco that has the 49ers (14-3) back in the NFC championship for the first time since the 1997 season.

They will play the Giants Sunday at Candlestick Park. San Francisco beat Eli Manning and the Giants 27-20 at home Nov. 13.

“It’s a lot better than traveling to Wisconsin. More importantly, we’re playing a team we’ve already faced,” cornerback Carlos Rogers said Sunday. “It’s not as hard as preparing for another team we haven’t faced yet.”

“Home game huh?” Whitner tweeted Sunday once his opponent had been determined.

An offensive show featuring four lead changes defined the final five minutes of the Niners’ win Saturday, capped by Alex Smith’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with nine seconds remaining. But Whitner got things going in the franchise’s first postseason appearance in nine years.

Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

Next up to try and stop the seemingly unstoppable Tom Brady and the New England Patriots’ offense: the Baltimore Ravens.

Good luck.

How do you cover powerful Rob Gronkowski and versatile Aaron Hernandez and still have a defender left to deal with Wes Welker, the NFL’s leading receiver?

Can you generate enough of a pass rush to foil Brady’s quick release? If you don’t, the master of analyzing defenses and firing precise passes can stand comfortably in the pocket, calmly searching for his best option and the quickest route to the end zone.

And don’t forget the ground game while you’re focused on all those aerial stars.

Get ready, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. Your dominant defense is about to get its toughest test.

Baltimore’s reward for beating the Houston Texans 20-13 on Sunday is a date with the prolific Patriots, who got there with a 45-10 win Saturday night over the Denver Broncos.