Through nine games, the Giants were ranked dead last in the NFL in defense and coming off a game in which they allowed 350 rushing yards to the Seahawks. So, after Sunday’s 16-10 loss to the 49ers on a day when the defense certainly did enough to win, there were no disparaging words directed at Eli Manning and an offense that scored one touchdown and turned the ball over five times on interceptions.
“We’re not in the business of pointing fingers,’’ defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka said. “We’ve had some letdowns on the defensive side of the ball and I’ve never heard one offensive player say anything that was not motivational.’’
A week after their run defense was savaged by Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson, the Giants put the clamps on Colin Kaepernick (24 rushing yards), although they didn’t exactly stop Frank Gore (19-95) in his tracks. Still, Kaepernick completed only 15 passes for 193 yards and the 49ers were limited to only seven points in the second half.
“When you think about rankings, rankings are always based on past events, and for us that’s something that we don’t want to focus on,’’ said linebacker Spencer Paysinger, who received increased playing time in the absence of Jacquian Williams (concussion). “Yeah, people were talking about us as the 32nd-ranked defense in the league, but they were talking about the past.”
Antrel Rolle said: “That was probably our worst defensive performance last week. I think the coaches did a phenomenal job of game-planning and the coaches did a phenomenal job of adjusting throughout the course of the game and the players responded very well to adjustments in the game plan.’’
Right tackle Justin Pugh was forced out in the second quarter with a quad injury and did not return. He was replaced by veteran Charles Brown, the former Saints starter, who did not distinguish himself…
Coach Tom Coughlin lost a replay challenge with 30 seconds left in the third quarter, contesting the spot on Odell Beckham Jr.’s 6-yard reception that was ruled inches short of a first down. Coughlin and Beckham believed Beckham had reached out against cornerback Perrish Cox to get to the San Francisco 42-yard line for the first down but the ruling on the field was upheld…
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh lost a replay challenge with 6:17 left in the third quarter, believing Bubba Ventrone’s knee was down before he fumbled trying to recover a Giants onside kick…
The Giants’ coaching staff wore green military sweatshirts as part of the Salute to Service festivities.