We usually put together the matchups on Saturday, but there's not a whole lot else going on today, so we'll get a head start. (Sorry to say that this is not considered a GPS game.)
But, first, here's the injury report for Sunday's game:
49ers: T Jonas Jennings (shoulder) is out; LB Manny Lawson (hamstring), S Mark Roman (knee) and CB Donald Strickland (hip) are probable.
Giants: LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee) is out; LB Antonio Pierce (quad) is questionable; C Shaun O'Hara (toe) and DE Dave Tollefson (knee) are probable.
* * *
KEY MATCHUPS
Offensive coordinator Mike Martz vs. defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo: Martz came under fire last week for his reluctance to stick with the run game when the 49ers needed to chew some clock and score some points in the fourth quarter. Martz is trying to get himself back in the conversation for head-coaching positions. Spagnuolo probably could have been a head coach after last year's Super Bowl, but he decided to stay with the Giants until something better came along. Spagnuolo will try to turn up the pressure and get some hits on 49ers quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan.
QB J.T. O'Sullivan vs. Giants pass defense: O'Sullivan has done a lot of good things since winning the job with an impressive training camp. But there is no denying his struggles in the fourth quarter. He has committed nine turnovers the past two weeks. More than anything, he has to get on the same page as his receivers. Every week there are passes thrown in which the receiver never turns to look for the ball. That happened last week when O'Sullivan tried to hit Arnaz Battle with a hot read late in the game. Battle kept running, while Eagles DE Juqua Parker intercepted the pass and took it back for a TD. Martz said this week that the interception was a result of a "coaching issue" -- something he failed to discuss with O'Sullivan. Regardless, O'Sullivan is going to need to be near-perfect for the 49ers to remain competitive. The Giants pass defense struggled Monday night against the Browns' Derek Anderson.
RB Frank Gore vs. Giants run defense: Gore is the key to the 49ers' offense. We saw that last week when the 49ers' offense shut down in the fourth quarter. The 49ers ran 16 offensive plays for negative-2 yards against the Eagles. Gore touched the ball just two times in the fourth quarter, and that's unacceptable. Gore leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage and has been the best all-around back in the league through six weeks. The Giants' run defense had been very strong before allowing 144 yards rushing on 30 carries to the Browns on Monday.
WR Isaac Bruce vs. CB Aaron Ross: It's been an interesting for six games for Bruce. He leads the 49ers with 303 receiving yards, but more than half of that production came in one game - a Week 2 victory over the Seahawks. Bruce has a huge advantage this week in experience over Ross, who has started all five games this season at left cornerback. Ross, a second-year pro, can be susceptible to double moves, as he showed Monday night when he was beaten by the Browns' Braylon Edwards for a 70-yard gain. Ross is 10 years younger than Bruce, so he'll undoubtedly get a chance to learn from one of the best.
LG Adam Snyder vs. DL Justin Tuck: On base downs, Snyder will be matched against 300-plus pounders
Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky vs. offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride: The 49ers' defense has been a major, major disappointment this season. Manusky, with a lot of help from coach Mike Nolan, has not been able to push the right buttons to get the 49ers' defense off the field. The opponents' success rate on third downs against the 49ers is 42.7 percent. Manusky has to come up with a plan in which the 49ers are strong up front against the run, but also not vulnerable against the pass. Against the league's top-ranked offense, it's a difficult chore.
LB Patrick Willis vs. Brandon Jacobs: Ah, heck, let's just turn this matchup into the 49ers' front seven vs. the Giants big uglies. Willis will have to have a strong day one-on-one against Jacobs, but so much of this matchup requires assistance from others along the way. The 49ers' defensive line has to do a much better job of not getting steered out of the play. That falls on Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga, neither of whom has fared particularly well this season. Jacobs is a 265-pound back who is a load to bring down. He's just the kind of runner who would seem built to have a field day against the 49ers' defense.
CB Walt Harris vs. WR Plaxico Burress: Harris has enjoyed strong games against Anquan Boldin and Roy Williams. However, he has not played well in recent weeks against smaller, quicker receivers. His recent struggles have some pondering whether Harris has lost a step or two. Burress (6-5, 232) has returned from a team-imposed suspension, and Eli Manning will be looking to get the ball in his hands. The 49ers might send their No. 1 corner to match up with Burress. But Harris figures to see some time on him, too. Burress moves into the slot a lot in multi-receiver formations, and Harris generally the man who plays that nickel back position.
Prediction....Giants 59 Niners 0. J.T. throws 5 picks, Our defense only gives up four big plays, Jacobs rush's for 150 yds and 2 td's(Not any big runs though), Nolan doesn't get fired, Fans still suffer. I'm going to watch the Dolphins.
Prediction: Niners lead 28-7 at the start of the fourth quarter, but after three interceptions and two fumbles for Giants touchdowns and a Dan Orlovsky style safety all by O'Sullivan the Niners lose 44-28.
Could we please for the love of god see what Hill can do?
Matt it might just be me but I thought Nate Clements was our #1 and Plex is obviously their #1 why would the 49ers ever put Harris on him? If anything I would double team Plex and have Eli show me what Steve Smith and Hixon can do instead
I can only imagine what the outcry for Nolan's head will be beginning at about 12:45 Pacific time on Sunday. If Mike thought it was bad this week, just wait until the Giants hand the 49ers their asses this weekend. It's gonna be fun!
I am not going to waste a minute watching this game. I predict the Giants to win 38-9. Nolan will hold a conference and say this was a game they should have won except for a few key mistakes. Nolan will "stay the course". What a joke! I'm watching Arizona.
This doesn't make sense to me, if Walt Harris has trouble covering smaller, quicker receivers, why would he cover slot receivers since they are generally smaller and quicker? Another example of Nolan's brilliance.
Until Nolan is gone, who cares. Seriously, I don't care anymore about any of this. Nolan has ruined football on Sundays in my household. I would rather have Rich Kotite as our head coach.
Welcome to NJ Matt, weather has been great, Giants could be taking this week lightly, coming off a MNF loss and no doubt feeling a little stiff.
GPS, Giants Probably Secure with this one, but I'll be protesting in the parking lot for Nolan's tenure to end early. Anyone making it to the game, stop by parking section 12C and lend support. As this is a Giants home game, many of my Giants pals are getting a kick out of my pain. As I've said to them, at least we make you nervous by having some offense this year.
Our concerns are whether we can get the defense off the field.
Boot The Suit! Bye Nolan - Sell York!
Eli will only throw 20 passes he is sore and the 9ers are going to get a steady dose of Brandon Jacobs 30 carries? I don't know if the big guy can handle it, but if he can, 9er linebackers are going to bouncing off this guy all day long. NY's front 5 can handle the light weight pansy line of the niners
The niners will never be in a position to blitz. The G-men are pissed off getting beat on National TV kind of makes the East coast teams nasty the following week. The G-men are men and the 49ers are well from San Francisco, without any kind of mental or physical edge and being the visiting team at 10am. Looks ugly. I love my niners...I mean I have been living and dieing with these guys for 43 years now. Mr Tuck (one of my favorite NFL players) is going to have a big day against the niners O line.
Only positive I can see in this game, it will be over early and you can go back to bed and sleep off the hangover.
We should actually turn your GPS philosophy into Nolan's epitaph. Game Planning Strategy.
If The Suit could put together anything that even created confusion for the other coordinators, he might actually have accomplished something here. I was looking for a way to get my hands on a 55 gallon drum this week to depict a large container of ice cream but the logistics of transportation got in the way. Would have made a very practical tailgate cooler for my beer, but the ice and water weight alone was far too great for my car!
I'll enjoy myself holding an East Coast Tailgate protest and can only hope the pain of his tenure ends soon. These guys deserve better planning and coaching and, I hope Dr York wakes up soon to do something about getting this teams' direction corrected.
If York has truly given Scot the authority to run this show, he's got to suck it up and make the call at or before the BYE week IMO.
The Giants are coming off a Monday night game and a short prep week. Also, they do not always play well at home. Despite my perverse desire to wish for a blow-out in order to hasten the departure of you-know-who, I think the 9ers will hang in there for a while. Maybe a long while. Martz will figure out a way to put up some points, but not quite enough. And the D will make some good plays, with perhaps a pick or two, despite giving up large yardage and lots of 3rd down conversions.I fully expect us to lose, but not before yet another "ooops, could have won, sure came close, if only. . ." performance. 35-28?
A lot of comments about losing interest in this season. A look at the remaining schedule shows 5 games against teams with 4 wins. We don't look like we can beat strong teams, but chances are the ball will bounce our way on 1 of those games. Then the Jet and Dolphins, where we might win 1 or those games. Then 3 with the Rams and Seahawks, where we should win 2. That would put us at 6-10 for the year. It could go 5-11 or 7-9. Nothing we've seen so far this year gives us any hope we could compete with Arizona.
MarkW it's the Nolan Mantra. Wedge It!! I'm tryyyying!!
I've come to the conclusion that he enjoys building the perfect beast.
He just lost site of the Plan.
He’s the kid building the fastest car, he takes it all apart, and loses half the parts before it officially goes up on blocks.
'We're almost there, the guys are really playing hard, we're getting close, we just need to Play Better’.
Thanks Mike, losing 2 out of 3 really isn't Good Enough.
I've learned a LOT about the Senior Bowl since you've been here, have you given much thought to coaching at the college level?
I agree, Jacobs should have fantasy numbers.
The golden domer Mr. Tuck will do just that before
he says goodnight to Mr. Snyder. If we don't
Blitzkrieg Manning our defense will be shredded
like Dave Murray playing The Trooper!
PS--EVERYBODY ought to listen to the interview with Trent Dilfer re what is wrong with the Mike Martz show and why the D can't function. Good stuff. Caveat: remember that Dilfer won his Super Bowl ring with an offense that scored an average of about 1 TD a game. http://media.knbr.com/knbr/1017trentdilfer.mp3
Last years' game was a cluster* because Hostler and Dilfer were responsible for executing a typical bland game plan. JTO at least can buy a little time when he needs to. See how long it takes for Spags to execute the Belichick 'Flush Left' plan. Beat Sims, run JTO into trouble.
When will Nolan and Martz create a wrinkle? Find a matchup WE can exploit and be successful at? It sure isn't a week for 7 step drops against this DLine.
Ooooh, that Senior Bowl dig was too, too cruel. Boot The Suit Back To College!
Wow.
I'm surprised some of you would rather watch other games (especially a division rival) over our Niners. Sure, Nolan should and will be replaced, but The Faithful always back their team.
Hey here's another thought Nolan.
Instead of taking a kickoff and running to the left sideline, how about using the other 2/3 of the field?
You COULD, possibly, get the Giants with a little Special Teams creativity perhaps? Roll the dice a little.
I hate the font that the post used for Matt. Jacobs is going to have a HUGE game.
I'm hoping O'Hara is off his game at center this week. He spent several days in the hospital following the Cleveland game. Short week, Nolan taking major heat and an offense that keeps shooting itself in the foot.
Dink and dunk, keep their pass rush off the QB and take advantage of their injured. Antonio Pierce isn't practicing and we need to work on our rushing attack.
Get all 3 RBs involved, Frank,Foster and MRob. Please.
Jacobs won't run wild if we force them to throw from behind. Let's see what Mike and Mike come up with.
But yes, Boot The Suit anyway.
Hey there, Matt. Is Lowell Cohn there also, or is he on Raiders this weekend? I got Giants down by 24 over us and Nolan gone 2 weeks from now. Bye Suit.
Wow Chip, I was almost going to say Giants 68 49ers 15 for that's how the Novato High School destroyed San Rafael 2 weeks ago, it was 52 to 0 by HALFTIME! I'll be amazed if sucha thing happens to the 49ers, but we have good old Suit!
I'm still crying that my region got the 49ers game instead of the Arizona thriller. My region just SUCKS and gets crap each week from 9rs and Raiders. I'd give blood if I had Cowboys/Arizona's OT last week, I swear, I'm getting NFL's package next year if I can splice it onto my cable's system.
Randy: While you are right in what you say, and I commend you on that "faithful" attitude, because I hate Nowin so much, and want him removed so badly, I will actually be hoping he gets embarrassed this week. And next. Sorry, but it breaks my heart to see that dufus ruin our chances yet again. Having said that, if and when we score a TD. I'll still cheer...and if and when we concede a TD (not so much "if" here...) I'll still be p*ssed off. I honestly believe that if we can sack Nowin after the Giants game, we might have an outside shot at the playoffs, despite what the stats tell us. This team has talent. I liken it to NASCAR in the way that believe our car is good enough to make the play-offs, but it's our driver holding us back. Swap our idiot driver for someone new and I feel we make a charge towards the front. Probably won't get there, but, it'd be nice to show some signs of improvement and challenge, wouldn't it?!
TJHooker I agree, it's gotten the point where you need to divorce the relationship but can't afford to leave.
The outcome won't change, even if Nolan walked into the playoffs he'd pull a Romo and fumble the snap.
He's outcoached and underprepared at every phase of the game.
We've digressed to marginal at best. The Nolan-York Plan seems to suggest that we've lowered expectations from Super Bowls to Senior Bowls. I've seen enough, win or lose the next 2 games, it's pretty clear that getting younger and financially healthy has done nothing for making this team competitive.
Boot The Suit.
Amen, Marc.
BOOT THE SUIT...BOOT THE SUIT...BOOT THE SUIT
Mark: Good comments. I think you're right about the game, I just see a slightly bigger MoV, maybe 35 for the G-men, but can't see us getting 28. I'm going for 34-13...and all the Nowin BS that will follow, as you said
I'm thinking of trick or treating as a 6ft tall challenge hanky but most people out here wouldn't get it.
Bay Area perhaps? Sew a pouch on the outside to collect candy too?
First of All, Trent Dilfer is an IDIOT and a COMPLETE BUST! He didn't win that Super Bowl, the GREATEST DEFENSE OF ALL TIME won that Super Bowl in spite of Dilfer. The TRUE DILFER PLAYED FOR THE 49ers last year and HE SUCKED!!
NOLAN GETS THE AX METER 9 DAYS and COUNTING.....
TJ,
I would like to see Nolan removed as well, and I find myself cussing him out every Sunday lately... That being said, I will always root for the team to win, no matter who is HC.
If Nolan does get the boot at the bye, who is your choice for interim HC?
Re the Dilfer comments--Dilfer was never even a mediocre QB in terms of talent, but he is hardly an idiot. Regardless of athletic skill, he understands the big picture and is a student of the game.If you read between the lines of what he says, he leaves no doubt that Nolan is responsible for the dysfunction of the team, and makes clear that there has been no consistency: a failure of leadership, compounded by the unexpected departure of Norv Turner etc.
After the Giants win, Nolan will say; "They made a couple of good plays, we had some mistakes, players failed to execute. I don't plan any changes, but we'll take a look at some things..."
The signs are loaded, the tailgate will commence at 8AM ET.
Boot The Suit! I've had enough, the team is running on a treadmill and will not brek out until Singletary is given a shot at turning this defense LOOSE.
If you're reading this post and plan to attend, stop by and show support for the team and bring cameras!
I want the media to see some fans that have had thair fill with Nolan and Dr York. The man behind the curtain is in a COMA, we need leadership. I welcome your visit, I look for your support, stop by 12C and let the Giants fans know that the 49ers are supported and will not be denied.
BYE NOLAN - SELL YORK!
Matt hope your're enjoying the NJ visit. Please, if time allows, stop by the 12C Section at the Meadowlands on Sunday and say hello. I have several 49ers fans planning to attend and would welcome your support.
Hard to understand how we've come to the last year of Nolans' contract wondering if anything will change.
Pretty easy to see that the team follows his lead the results are always predictable. Drafting high and adding expensive FAs hasn't changed the W/L record much.
The team needs new direction, new ideas, new philosophy, new attitude.
Scot needs to exercise some GM muscle and redirect the plan. San Francisco, 5 time SB Champions looking like a dysfunctional franchise? Something smells and someone needs to figure out why. Are we in the NFL to win or just participate?
Too proud for too long to watch this charade. Time is NOW for changing the course.
Marc-NJ49er - You are right on dude!! Charade is what this team is now.
If there's any 49ers fan in the Meadowlands and they do spot the rally against Nolan, please take pictures and leave me the address to view them. I want to see Boot the Suit and Sell York. I get to see the 1st quarter 21 to 3 Giants lead before going to work tomorrow. Hope my lunch break has some of Damon Bruce's Post Game rants.
Randy: I admire your conviction in supporting the team with Nowin at the helm. Good question. When Matt suggested that Manusky was favourite, a week or so ago, I expressed my surprise and wondered why. I thought it was Mike Singletary being earmarked and groomed as a future NFL HC. Manusky has his hands full with the underperforming D. Ditto Martz with the O. So, logically, the best choice is Singletary. It's a no brainer imho. Give Singletray the last 8 or 9 games to show whether he has HC potential, as after all, it's better that we find out if he can be a HC while he's with us...as opposed to him going someplace else and leading them to a superbowl...how much would that suck? Martz is needed on O, Manusky has not shown much on D, ergo, Mike Singletary, please! Anyone but Mike Nowin
Marc, I'm behind you, buddy!
BOOT THE SUIT
BOOT THE SUIT
BOOT THE SUIT
BOOT THE SUIT
BOOT THE SUIT
Or, to put it more eloquently, please O' high and mighty Yorks, please terminate this perpetual underachievement and sub-par product by removing the very essence of incompetence, the man we have nearly all come to despise as the cause of our failure to improve in 4 years since you removed Dennis Erickson.
Btw, who read that article by Ray Ratto (I think)??
The piece where he asked the question about who exactly would/could fire Mike Nowin?? You wanna know how much of a joke/laughing stock this franchise has become under the Yorks? Read that article. What a freaking mess. Local poker leagues are run with more brains and organiztion than this disaster zone of a team. The Yorks are the real problem; they fired a good coach and have hired poor coaches ever since, and Erickson, who was a far superior coach to Mike Nowin never got a chance.
Fire Nowin, ffs! Even Detroit fired Millen, c'mon...
Hey TJ, I read the Ratto piece with amusement as it's like taking in In and Out Burger and watching 20 chefs in the kitchen trying to take an order. That's where it's been reduced to on the 49ers, too many chefs in the kitchen that don't know how to do anything.
And did you see the Yorks? My God, the Addams Family comes to mind! Denise couldn't have looked anymore awful! I was sure to throw up in my mouth seeing that face on Halloween!
For you, TJ
FIre Nowin
Boot the SUit
Sell the team!
Boot the Suit