Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE
Of all the 4-1 teams that played on Sunday, the 49ers looked like the biggest pretenders. After a week of tough talk, the 49ers came out with a style of football semi-developed kittens still in their mother’s womb likely would have been able to figure out and defeat. Eli Manning and company breezed past the 49ers, beating San Francisco 26-3.
Alex Smith was channeling the first 6 years of his career, throwing 3 interceptions and absolutely zero touchdowns and barely 200 yards on the day. The ferocious running attack of Frank Gore was again stifled this week, with Gore running for under 40 yards.
As for the Giants, Eli Manning threw for under 200 yards, but he also managed to toss a touchdown and keep the offense moving down the field. Ahmad Bradshaw went over 110 yards on the ground and banged one of his runs into the endzone to pile on the 49ers. It was the Giants defense that really showed up, rather than that of the 49ers.
Antrel Rolle intercepted Alex Smith twice, one of the reasons the 49ers couldn’t generate any offense whatsoever.
But if there was one thing proven in San Francisco on Sunday it’s that record really means nothing when it comes down to what happens on the field. The 49ers were heavily favored given their 4-1 record and the Giants bi-polar struggles. But the 49ers looked anything but an elite NFL team and that had everything to do with the Giants making them look foolish.
If this win doesn’t shake the haters off the Giants, nothing ever will.
