The San Francisco 49ers extended the New York Giants' losing streak to five games, but for a team that is expecting to make a big second half playoff push, they left a lot of questions unanswered in the tight win. The Giants had a shot to come back and take the lead after an excellent sideline catch by Odell Beckham Jr. that gave New York the ball inside the 49ers' 5-yard line with five minutes left in the game… only to see three straight failed fade passes and then on fourth down, Eli Manning’s threw his final interception of the day.
Let’s take a look at some of the key performances.
San Francisco 49ers — Performances of Note
Chris Borland, LB: +6.6
Breakdown: Borland is continuing his impressive rookie campaign, over the past three weeks he has stood out, not just as a rookie but as one of the best players on the field. Borland showed good coverage skills against the Giants, only allowed one catch beyond 5 yards, while also collecting two interceptions.
Signature Play: 2Q 8:23. Borland reads the curl route and jumps in front of the pass to intercept it.
Anthony Davis, RT: -0.7
Breakdown: This looks to be a lost season for Davis as he works back to 100% after his MCL sprain. Against the Giants he looked better against the run than in previous weeks, however he struggled in pass blocking allowing six total pressures.
Signature Play: 4Q 14:13. Davis is lined up across from Damontre Moore who wins with a speed rush to the outside and records a hit on Colin Kaepernick
Ray McDonald, DE: +7.1
Breakdown: Playing against John Jerry, McDonald took over the game on a consistent basis — he recorded four stops in the run game and added two hurries, a hit and a strip sack in the passing game.
Signature Stat: Recorded the second-highest Run Stop Percentage for 3-4 defensive ends this week with a 28.6%. Thanks to four stops on 14 run snaps.
New York Giants — Performances of Note
Rueben Randle, WR: +2.7
Breakdown: In a game that will be remembered for Eli Manning’s five interceptions, Ruben Randle actually performed like the second wide receiver the Giants need with Victor Cruz out. While three of Manning’s interceptions came when targeting Randle, he was able to make plays and gain good chunks of yards averaging 16 yards per catch.
Signature Play: 3Q 9:41. Randle takes a slant and forces a missed tackle by Perrrish Cox.
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE: -2.1
Breakdown: Lined up against one of the league's top left tackles in Joe Staley, Pierre-Paul only record one pressure all game. Has been having a good season against the run, but struggled to be the pass rusher the Giants need.
Signature Stat: Pierre-Paul had the lowest Pass Rushing Productivity of any 4-3 Defensive End who recorded a pressure at 2.4.
Charles Brown and John Jerry, RT/RG: combined -15.0
Breakdown: When Justin Pugh was forced out of the game due to a quad injury, the Giants inserted Brown at right tackle the 49ers attacked him and right guard John Jerry all day long. Between them they allowed 18 total pressures as the 49ers managed to get consistent pressure on Eli Manning.
Signature Stat: Brown had the worst Pass Blocking Efficiency among offensive tackles who played at least 10 snaps (82.1). Jerry had the worst among guards, 86.2.
PFF Game Ball
The PFF Game Ball goes to Ray McDonald who could not be contained by Brown and Jerry and caused damage in both the run and passing game.
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