Niners Couldn't Match Giants' Firepower

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rank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in the second quarter against the New York Giants during the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park on January 22, 2012 in San Francisco, California.

Bemoan Kyle Williams' two botched punt returns all you want, but the 49ers season came to an inglorious end mainly because they couldn't match the Giants firepower.

While Eli Manning was lighting up the San Francisco secondary for seventeen passing first downs, connecting with Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks fifteen times for almost two hundred yards, Alex Smith completed exactly one pass to a wide receiver: Michael Crabtree's 4th quarter three-yard catch. Smith looked anxious and played erratically primarily because of New York's fierce pass rush and smothering secondary.

Stunningly, Crabtree, who was unable to get separation from the press coverage of New York defense, complained about not getting more opportunities to make plays. The 2009 No. 1 draft pick had more chances against the Saints and caught four balls for a mere 29 yards while dropping three others. The 49ers have two of the league's most explosive tight ends in Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. But after losing Josh Morgan, Tedd Ginn Jr. and Braylon Edwards to injuries, San Francisco was left without a top-flight wideout to stretch the field.

At best Crabtree is a complementary, possession receiver. At worst, he's a me-first underacheiver who will have a long off-season to polish his game and attitude.