The New York Giants put in a dominating performance against the San Francisco 49ers, winning 26-3, as the 49ers made an uncharacteristic number of errors. The two teams split two tight games last year, as the 49ers won in the regular season but the Giants beat them in overtime in the NFC Championship Game. Unfortunately, this year’s regular season matchup didn’t live up to the billing.
Alex Smith had his first multiple interception game of the Jim Harbaugh era, as he threw three picks, two of them to Giants safety Antrel Rolle. The 49ers defense was solid most of the day, but couldn’t overcome the three turnovers that set up 13 Giants points.
“It’s tough to speak about any other facet,” Smith said. “We made it tough on the defense.”
“He threw the ball right to me,” Rolle said of his first interception of Smith, where Rolle broke off his deep coverage responsibilities to step in front of the ball.
Smith finished 19 of 30 for 200 yards and Colin Kaepernick added another 82 yards passing, going 4 for 7 as the Kaepernick Wildcat was used more widely through the day. It was the most lopsided loss of Harbaugh’s 2 years in San Francisco.
“It wasn’t a great day for any of us,” Harbaugh said. The 49ers dominated the Packers in the opener and have been looking like the team to beat in the NFC, but the Giants served them a reminder of how last season ended.
“Coaches always let us know that we’re not the kings of the NFL, the Giants are,” 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers said. “They won a title last year and they’re still that team to beat until somebody wins the Super Bowl.”
Eli Manning was far more efficient, if unspectacular, finishing 15 or 28 for 193 yards and 1 TD and Ahmad Bradshaw added 116 yards rushing with 1 TD.
The Giants defense dominated the 49ers offense, turning in their best performance of the season.
“We were just waiting for them to play like we know they can play,” Manning said of New York’s defense. “They played outstanding. They played really well, flying around.”
“I think this is our most complete game all year long,” Rolle added.
While the Giants dominated the game, there remains a good chance that these teams will meet again in the postseason, as they remain two of the top contenders in the NFC.
