After having time to digest this loss, I am stuck with the feeling that this one got away from the New York Giants. They played an incredible game and lost a close one to the now 8-1 San Francisco 49ers, with a few plays standing out as reasons for the loss.
The first was an onside kick attempt that was recovered with relative ease by the 49ers in the second quarter. At that point each team had had two drives and each team had come up with two field goals.
The Giants were about to get the ball back and more than likely move the ball down the field for a field goal or touchdown just before half time.
Jim Harbaugh’s decision to go for it swung the momentum in their favor and it was they who entered halftime with a 9-6 lead.
The second big play was a terrible 29-yard punt by Steve Weatherford that gave them the ball on the 50. At that point the score was 13-12 and the way things were going, you had to figure they would score.
A few plays later after an extremely questionable off sides call, Alex Smith hit Vernon Davis for a 32 yard score with the two-point conversion being successful.
Not two offensive plays later Eli Manning looked for Mario Manningham across the middle, but for some reason Manningham stop and Eli threw the ball into the waiting arms of Carlos Rogers.
One play later, 17 yard run, Kendall Hunter, 27-13.
Eli then proceeded to lead the Giants down the field and hit Hakeem Nicks for a score, the defense forced a three and out, and the Giants got the ball back with a chance to tie.
There was no quit in this team.
After converting two separate fourth down tries, Eli looked for Manningham up the seam. I still remember the feeling of “he’s got a step he’s gonna score!” Alas, the ball went through Manningham’s outstretched finger tips and the Giants missed out on a chance to tie.
Manningham admitted to reporters after the game that he should have had it, he “should have laid out for it.” I agree.
They moved the ball all the way down to the 10 after that, but were unable to convert a 4th and 2 as Justin Smith tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage with 34 seconds left.
The Giants should not hang their heads on this loss, but this one stings a bit more knowing what could have been. If these plays would have gone a different way, they’d be celebrating a huge victory.
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