The Giants left no doubt on Sunday in San Francisco by smashing the 49ers, 26-3, an effort that reminded the most hardened of naysayers exactly who are the defending Super Bowl champions.
David Wilson put the Giants in great field position with a 66-yard kickoff return to open the half. The Giants took advantage of the short field with a seven-play, 32-yard touchdown scoring drive that took 3:12 off the clock. Ahmad Bradshaw capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
After the Bradshaw touchdown, Antrel Rolle set up field goals on New York's next two drives with interceptions of Alex Smith. After the Lawrence Tynes field goals from 30 and 22 yards, respectively, the Giants' lead was extended to 23-3. After the second field goal, the Giants' defense stood tall after a deep pass to Randy Moss had the 49ers down to the Giants 29. The 49ers tried to use Colin Kaepernick at quarterback to mix things up and he was promptly sacked for a loss of 11 yards. After the big loss, the 49ers eventually tried to go for it on fourth down and were denied.
The New York Giants lead the San Francisco 49ers at halftime, 10-3, in a rematch of last season's NFC Championship game. Defenses have played especially well in this game as expected, with neither offensive unit particularly having its way in the first half.
San Francisco scored its only points in the first quarter, when the 49ers had just two offensive drives and both ending in field goal attempts. David Akers missed a 43-yard field goal after the first drive, but was successful on the second attempt from 42 yards out.
Then the Giants went on a run in the second quarter. Eli Manning hit Victor Cruz for a six-yard touchdown pass to cap a seven-play, 67-yard drive. Lawrence Tynes converted on a 34-yard field goal in the last three minutes of the second quarter to extend the Giants' lead.
Tynes attempted a 40-yard field goal toward the end of the half, but it was blocked. A 32-yard completion from Alex Smith to former Giants receiver Mario Manningham put Akers in position for a 52-yard attempt, which was no good.
San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers kicked a 42-yard field goal in the final two minutes of the first quarter to give the 49ers a 3-0 lead over the New York Giants heading into the second quarter Sunday.
Akers' field goal came at the end of a 12-play, 61-yard drive. Akers missed a 43-yard field goal in San Francisco's first possession of the game.
New York's first drive of the game went three-and-out.
Eli Manning is 3 for 5 for 17 yards through the first quarter, while Ahmad Bradshaw has four carries for eight yards.
San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith started the game hot, going 8 for 13 for 68 yards. Frank Gore is leading the 49ers on the ground with 33 yards on seven carries.
Randy Moss leads the 49ers with 20 yards receiving, while Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams each have two catches.
Eli Manning and the New York Giants visit the San Francisco 49ers for a Week 6 rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game. With kickoff approaching, the teams have released their list of players inactive for today's contest.
Inactive for the Giants are: WR Jerrel Jernigan, S Kenny Phillips, RB Andre Brown, DE Adewale Ojomo, OT James Brewer, TE Adrien Robinson and DT Rocky Bernard.
San Francisco is 4-1 on the season and has not lost at home in 2012. New York is 3-2 overall and 1-1 away from home this year. Both teams come into the Week 6 matchup after wins, with the Giants beating the Browns, 41-27, and the 49ers beating the Bills, 45-3, a week ago.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. The game is being broadcast on FOX.
If you're a fan of smash mouth football, Sunday's contest between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers is for you. The teams collide in a rematch of the NFC Championship game on January 22, when the Giants prevailed, 20-17, in overtime after Kyle Williams' second muffed punt return setup the game-winning field goal from Lawrence Tynes.
