When the New York Giants and San Franciso 49ers face off in the 2012 NFC Championship game, they'll both be there thanks to something that's in short supply these days in professional sports.

Patience.

Most NFL franchises probably would have fired Tom Coughlin by now. Despite winning the Super Bowl in 2007, that win has been bookended by some rough stretches during his tenure. Mind you, rarely have the Giants been terrible during his time, but they've just been off enough for the New York media and fandom to vocalize a disdain for Coughlin. He and the Giants weathered the storms and now sit within one game of their second Super Bowl together.

Most NFL franchises probably would have gotten rid of Alex Smith by now. The seventh-year QB earned the bust label about as much as any QB before him. The first-rounder was the face of San Francisco's worst era in decades and seemed set to leave town before this season. New coach Jim Harbaugh stuck with the "bust" and turned him into the quarterback of an NFC West division champion and host of the NFC Championship.

That patience both team have shown will pay off even more for one of the teams come Sunday.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.