All week head coach Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants had to hear about how physical the San Francisco 49ers have been this season and how tough it would be to beat them on the road.
Coughlin used the underdog role to his advantage on Sunday, beating the 49ers at their own game, winning 26-3 with smash mouth, physical football and punishing defense. Many were expecting more of a close game like the NFC championship game last season that the Giants won 20-17 in overtime, but the game was a totally one-sided contest.
New York stopped a team that became the first ever to amass 300 yards rushing and passing last week and had forced three turnovers from a quarterback that is supposed to be one of the least mistake-prone in the NFL.
The Giants held the team to 80 yards on the ground and picked off Alex Smith three times, including two from safety Antrell Rolle.
"I think this is our most complete game all year long," Rolle said to the Associated Press.
Prince Amukamara also added an interception and the defensive line came up huge, sacking Smith six times and never allowing him to get comfortable in the pocket.
"It's tough to speak about any other facet," Smith said. "We made it tough on the defense."
The 49ers scored the first points of the game off of a David Akers field goal in the first quarter, but couldn't add anything more for the rest of the game.
New York's offensive line came up huge on Sunday, allowing no sacks and giving Eli Manning more than enough time to find his receivers. Last season in the championship game, the offensive line was maligned for letting Manning get sacked multiple times and getting hit on nearly every play.
"We were just waiting for them to play like we know they can play," Manning said of New York's defense. "They played outstanding. They played really well, flying around."
Manning only threw for 193 yards and a touchdown, but that was all the Giants needed from their MVP-caliber quarterback. Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for over 100 yards for the second straight week and Victor Cruz caught Manning's touchdown to help prove that the Giants are one of the best in the NFC.
"The statement made," Cruz said, "is that we're here to stay."
Bradshaw rushed for 116 yards and touchdown, while backup David Wilson also got a few carries, gaining 35 yards in the game. Wilson was also crucial in the return game, bringing back a kick 60-yards to help set up a scoring drive.
There was some controversy during the week with 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh coming back hard at Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride after he criticized defensive lineman Justin Smith. Following the game, the 49ers had nothing to say after being completely dominated in all facets of the game.
"It wasn't a great day for any of us," Harbaugh said.
Following the Akers field goal two minutes into the first quarter, the 49ers were shut out the rest of the way.
"Coaches always let us know that we're not the kings of the NFL, the Giants are," 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers said. "They won a title last year and they're still that team to beat until somebody wins the Super Bowl."
The Giants moved the ball with ease down the field and Manning connected with Cruz on a 6-yard touchdown, allowing him to do another one of his trademark salsa dances. Apart from a Bradshaw touchdown in the third, the rest of the Giants points came from field goal kicker Lawrence Tynes, who made four in the game.
"The nice thing was the pounding away of the pencil on the defensive line," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "I think the defensive line finally decided they were going to come out and play today and they did."
Akers, who is one of the NFL's most accurate kickers, missed two field goals in the first half, including one from 43-yards on the first drive by the 49ers.
The Giants wide receivers were solid throughout the game and the team was glad to have Hakeem Nicks back after missing three games with knee and foot injuries. Domenik Hixon had a fantastic 39-yard catch in the game and Cruz played tough against cornerback Carlos Rogers, catching six balls for 58 yards and the touchdown.
The 49ers couldn't erase the memories of last season's NFC championship game and now will only face the Giants again if they play in the playoffs.
"I don't think it was that subtle," linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka said to ESPNNewYork.com. "I feel like we did a good job of backing up everything that we felt during the week."
After losing their first two games in the NFC East, the Giants are now first place in the division with a 4-2 record after the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys lost on Sunday. The Washington Redskins won and are now one game behind the Giants with a showdown looming next week.
"Most people against this defense didn't think we could do what we did," center David Baas said. "That's fine. That doesn't matter. This team knows what we can do. Secondly, I think it sends a message to everybody in the NFC. Don't count us out because we're a very, very good team and we believe that."
