Be Wary of the Giants, 49ers Fans!
Midway through the season, the 49ers are 7-1. They’re 30 points away from a 2:1 point differential. They’ve got a shot at winning the division in 2 more weeks… 6 weeks left in the season! They’ve been predicted to earn a first round bye. Can we just freeze this moment in time forever?
The 49ers are a 3.5 point favorite over the Giants, a team that lost to the Redskins and the Seahawks (!). These are both teams 49ers beat. Not only that, but the Giants might not have Bradshaw or Nicks this week. So the 49ers should pretty much be a lock, right? Not so fast, fellow 49ers fans! Here’s why:
What are the Giants best at? Getting to the quarterback with their front 4. The Giants are one of the best at pressuring the quarterback without blitzing. The O-line for the 49ers isn’t exactly above average either. If the Giants can get to Alex Smith on a regular basis, do you really trust him to make the best decision? The Giants corners have also been playing at a very high level. If the Giants could cause so many problems for Tom Brady, do you think Alex Smith would be much better? I’m not so sure… Defensively, the Giants worry me a little.
The 49ers will need to jam it down their throat. I think Kendall Hunter will need to step it up this game since they may need him more than ever, with Frank Gore a little nicked up. If the Giants can get a decent lead or if they can stop the run game, the 49ers will have to win through the air - and that’s not a good thing.
I have no doubt in my mind that the 49ers will shut down Brandon Jacobs. He’s no longer “the Juggernaut” and even if he were, we’d find out what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. In this case, the immovable object would win… Patrick Willis is perhaps the best ILB (no, this isn’t just my bias speaking) and Navarro Bowman isn’t too far behind him. But that’s why the Giants have gone away from their roots. Eli Manning has been having a career year and could finish the season as a top 5 QB. The 49ers are weakest in their secondary and Eli and his receiving corps have been exceptional.
I’m not saying I think the 49ers will lose. Definitely not. I’m just saying… this isn’t going to be an easy win, even at home.
Prediction: 49ers 17 - Giants 13
