In a game that was more about who was not playing than who was, the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers trudged on. Both teams were missing key players but the 49ers manager to overcome their injuries.
The Giants? Well, let’s just say it’s going to be awhile before they contend again. The game played out pretty much as expected, almost like a preseason game — one that the Giants (0-3) mailed in.
It was a good thing there were no fans in the stands to witness the train wreck the Giants have become. It was one of the most embarrassing losses in the 55 years I have been watching this team — and that’s saying something.
The Niners topped Giants, 36-9, with a lineup of mostly backups in Big Blue’s first game since learning they would be without star running back Saquon Barkley (knee) for the remainder of the season.
The Giants couldn’t run the football with Barkley and now without him they didn’t fare any better. The Giants came into the game averaging 52 yards per game on the ground and gained 66 in this game. They were led by quarterback Daniel Jones, who rushed for 49 yards on five attempts.
The 49ers were led by backup quarterback Nick Mullens (25/36, 343 yards and TD), who started in relief of Jimmy Garoppolo. Mullens has been on the club for four seasons but has not played in awhile. He appeared to have a good command of the offense which was also missing All-Pro tight end George Kittle, their top two running backs and explosive wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
That didn’t matter much as the Giants’ defense was misdirected and confounded by the Niners’ play calling. Mullens and the backups simply knifed though, over and around the Giant defenders all day. It was as close to a defensive disaster as one could imagine as the decimated 49ers racked up 29 first downs and 420 total yards on the afternoon.
The score would have been worse if the Giants hadn’t held San Francisco to field goal attempts on four of their possessions.
San Francisco was also without defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas as well as pass-rushing linebacker Dee Ford. Who knows what the score would have been had this team been somewhat healthy.
Jones (17/32, 179 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT) once again was bitten by the turnover bug, throwing an interception into tight coverage and losing yet another fumble. To be fair, he probably shouldn’t be faulted for the fumble as it was a lateral that Evan Engram mishandled. He now has six turnovers in the first three games. So much for tightening things up.
Notes
- Safety Jabrill Peppers left the game in the first half after injuring his ankle on a field goal attempt and did not return.
- Cornerback James Bradberry came into the game leading the NFL with seven passes defensed. He added three more in this game and has become one of the few Giants’ bright spots this year.
- Whoever’s idea it was to cut Ryan Connelly and keep Devante Downs has to be rethinking that decision. I mean c’mon…
- Joe Judge decided to go for it on fourth down and one on his own 30 yard line. Jones tried a keeper and did not make it. The Niners cashed that gift in four plays later when running back Jeff Wilson scored on a 19-yard catch and run.
- The Giants are 0-3 for the first time since Dave Gettleman took over as the general manager. It already seems like a long season. Unfortunately, it’s about to get longer.
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