By Michael Stewart/@golferbad
Introduction: This was a game that many Giant fans expected the Giants to steal a win. Instead the 49ers put together a complete effort from start to finish with many backup players handing the Giants their 3rd lost of the season 36-9. Statistically; the Giants were embarrassed as the 49ers had a total 73 offensive players to the Giants 49. Here are my top 5 reasons why the Giants lost:
- Sleep Walkers: For the 3rd straight game the Giants started out slowly to start the game and allowed the 49ers to build a comfortable lead 16-6 at half time. The 2nd half was no different as the Giants only managed to score 3 points in total; while the 49ers put up 20 points in the 2nd half.
- Keep Away: The 49ers time of possession was 39:44 compared to the Giants 20:16. That’s nearly double the chances to put points on the board; which the 49ers certainly did with a total of 36 points.
- Missed Opportunities: The 49ers were 4 out of 6 and the Giants were 0-0 in red zone. That’s not a misprint Giant fans, the Giants were never in the red zone at all and that my friends is a big time missed opportunity.
- Takeaways/Giveaways: The Giants committed 3 turnovers in the game and the 49ers were flawless with no turnovers. Bad teams can’t turn-over the ball and expect to win and in case you haven’t noticed; the Giants are a bad team.
- Linebackers Miscues: Collectively; the Giants linebackers were horrendous in pass coverage, allowing 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (25/36 for 343 yards) to continuously bewilder them with play action and then finding his running backs wide open.
Final Thoughts: The Giants are now 0-3 and the schedule is not getting any easier as the Giants will face the Los Angeles Rams who lost a close game against the Buffalo Bills in a thriller 35-32 to fall 2-1. Quarterback Daniel Jones made one ill advised pass to Evan Engram (who didn’t run a crisp route); which was intercepted, but other than that, Jones showed a lot of poise and guts under extreme pressure and made solid decisions to tuck it and run to avoid the sack. The Giants got no production in the running game from Gallman or Lewis as Jones led the team in rushing. If the Giants continue to have Jones put the team on his shoulders and become the offense (passing/running). It’s only a matter of time before he joins Saquon Barkley on the disable list with an injury. Keep an eye out over the next couple of days of my pre game assessment and prediction between the Giants and the Rams.