49ers Focus
By Robert Haugh

Look out Green Bay, the 49ers are coming!

The 49ers proved that they are one of the NFL’s upper echelon teams, in their 27-20 win over the New York Giants on Sunday, November 13 at Candlestick.

The 49ers (8-1) defeated the NFC East-leading Giants (6-3) in a stellar NFC showdown game that saw the 49ers out perform the Giants.

The 49ers’ Defense held strong throughout the game, sealing the deal late in the fourth quarter, when Eli Manning was driving down the field in the red zone, the 49ers D stopped the Giants in their tracks, with Justin Smith batting down a Manning pass to nix the Giants’ comeback, boosting 49ers’ chances of a possible first-round playoff bye.

49ers QB Alex Smith matched former Super Bowl-winning QB Manning stride-for-stride; completing passes to eight different receivers, including at least three passes to four receivers, finishing an efficient 19-for-30 for 242 yards a TD and an INT.

The game was a showcase of aerial talent, with both teams combining for only 170 total yards on the ground. In the first half alone, seven possessions accounted for five field goals and no punts, with both Defenses holding strong.

The 49ers, who have a commanding five-game cushion in the NFC West -- won without relying on their stellar running game and minus Frank Gore, whose was sidelined with an apparent knee injury after rushing six times for zero yards.

But before the 49ers can make a run at Green Bay to the Super Bowl, they have some fine-tuning to work on. The 49ers were an anemic 3-for-11 on third down, and only 1-for-3 in the red zone, and 0-for-1 with goal-to-go, areas that they have been hit-or-miss on all year. With Harbaugh and an extremely talented staff, with a stellar cast of athletes, the 49ers are certainly capable of reaching the big game ...