Giants And 49ers Battling It Out In Overtime
SAN FRANCISCO -- (WFAN) At a rainy Candlestick Park, the San Francisco 49ers are leading the New York Giants 14-10 going into the 4th quarter.
First Quarter
Eli Manning fumbled and was stripped by Ray McDonald. Kareem McKenzie recovered the ball but the Giants were forced to punt.
Alex Smith connected with Vernon Davis went untouched into the endzone on a 73-yard touchdown. Davis was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and the 49ers were forced to kick from their own 20.
Hakeem Nicks went down injuring his shoulder but was able to return. Brandon Jacobs frustrated Giants fans by once again failing to convert on a short yardage situation. The Giants elected to go for it on 4th and 1 but were unsuccessful after the chain gang ruled that Jacobs was short.
David Baas had to leave the field and was replaced by Kevin Boothe at center. He returned in the second quarter.
Second Quarter
Eli Manning led an impressive drive 69-yard drive in the second quarter and found Bear Pascoe on 2nd and goal. The game is tied at 7.
Since the Davis touchdown, San Francisco has struggled making conversions on 3rd down. The sloppy field conditions appear to be limiting the 49ers in their home stadium during the first half.
The Giants have sparkled on 3rd down situations compared to the 49ers during the first half. New York was 5-9 on 3rd down while San Francisco was a meager 0-4.
Victor Cruz made a number of important catches as the Giants tried for another touchdown before halftime. His 13-yard reception set up a successful 31-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes.
Third Quarter
The Giants began the 3rd quarter ahead 10-7. Justin Tuck ran into 49ers' kicker Andy Lee but San Francisco declined the penalty as the Giants were pinned at their own 7 yard line.
Vernon Davis again went untouched into the Giants' endzone as he sprung a 28-yard touchdown. The 49ers went ahead 14-10.
San Francisco's defense pressured and hurried Eli Manning throughout the third quarter. New York's offensive linemen must protect Eli better in the fourth quarter.
Manning was pressured time after time, on third down situations and almost threw an interception before the end of the third quarter. The 49ers' Tarell Brown walked off under his own power after he collided with Dashon Goldson.
New York punted to the 49ers before the third quarter ended. Thus far, the Giants have struggled to gain yards on the ground. Going into the 4th quarter, the Giants have only rushed for 54 yards.
Fourth Quarter
San Francisco kept pressuring Manning as the Giants' offensive line continued to break down. The Giants punted but the ball went off the knee of Kyle Williams and recovered by Devin Thomas.
The on-field official reviewed the call and the ruling was overturned. The Giants took over on the 49ers' 29-yard line.
New York's success through the air continued as Eli Manning found Hakeem Nicks and Ahmad Bradshaw before Eli completed a 17-yard laser pass to Mario Manningham for the go-ahead TD. The Giants led 17-14 with 8:34 remaining in the 4th quarter.
David Akers hit a 25-yard field goal at 5:39 in the fourth quarter to even the contest at 17-17. The 49ers forced Manning to a three and out at 4:19.
The Giants' defense did their back and forced San Francisco to punt. Manning continued to be pressured by the 49ers' defense and was sacked back to his own 15-yard line.
New York faced a 3rd and long at the two minute warning and Manning's pass to Cruz fell incomplete. Steve Weatherford punted inside the 49ers' 30-yard line.
The game became a defensive battle as the Giants held San Francisco to a quick 3 and out.
Eli Manning went to work and found Ahmad Bradshaw for 30 yards, bringing them closer to field goal range. Manning again hooked-up with Bradshaw as the Giants marched closer but were forced to punt after Victor Cruz nearly made an unbelievable catch.
A poor snap meant Weatherford's punt was short and a good return gave the 49ers the ball at their own 36. Justin Tuck sacked Smith and San Francisco took one more shot before overtime with four seconds left in regulation. Smith completed a long pass but time expired.
Overtime
New York called tails and won the coin toss. They received the ball to begin overtime. Akers hit the ball in the endzone for a touch back and the Giants began on the 20-yard line. Manning almost got intercepted by Carlos Rodgers on first down. Giants again were held to a 3 and out and Weatherford hit a 48-yard punt.
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