The New York Giants have gotten used to miraculous fourth-quarter comebacks this season, with five of their six wins being come-from-behind ones. Sunday, though, the Giants could not complete a comeback from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 27-20, at Candlestick Park.

The Giants (6-3) still lead the NFC East. San Francisco (8-1) has won seven straight games and leads the NFC West.

Trailing, 27-20, the Giants got the ball at their own 20-yard line with 6:35 remaining. The Giants drove all the way to San Francisco's 10-yard line, twice converting on fourth down during the drive, before defensive end Justin Smith of the 49ers batted down an Eli Manning pass on fourth-and-two with 37 seconds left, securing the victory for San Francisco.

The Giants took a 13-12 lead in the third quarter when Manning hit Mario Manningham for a 13-yard touchdown pass, completing a 10-play, 84-yard drive.

San Francisco took the lead early in the fourth quarter after a poor 29-yard punt by Steve Weatherford gave the 49ers the ball at the 50-yard line. Four plays later San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith hit Vernon Davis for a 31-yard touchdown pass. A two-point conversion gave the 49ers a 20-13 lead with xx to play.

Eli Manning was intercepted on the Giants' next possession. Carlos Rogers picked off the pass and returned it to New York's 17-yard line. Kendall Hunter ran the ball in from their on San Francisco's first play, giving the 49ers a 27-13 lead with 12:26 to play.

The Giants quickly drove 80 yards for a touchdown, with Manning hitting Hakeem Nicks for a 32-yard touchdown to make the score 27-20 with 8:43 to play. The Giants then forced a San Francisco punt, but could not get the game-tying score.

The first half ended with San Francisco leading, 9-6. David Akers of the 49ers made three field goals and Lawrence Tynes of the Giants converted two.

Manning finished 26-of-40 for the Giants for 311 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Alex Smith was 19-of-30 for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception for San Francisco.