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Giants Roll Over 49ers For 5th Straight

POSTED: 6:07 pm EDT October 21, 2007

(Sports Network) - Eli Manning threw a pair of touchdown passes and Brandon Jacobs ran for 107 yards with a score, as the New York Giants rolled to a 33-15 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at the Meadowlands.

The Giants (5-2) have won five in a row to match their longest winning streak under head coach Tom Coughlin. New York also won five straight last season from October 8 through November 5.

Manning completed just 18-of-31 passes for 146 yards, but was aided greatly by a New York defense that forced four turnovers from San Francisco quarterback Trent Dilfer. Osi Umenyiora had two fumble recoveries for the Giants, returning one for a touchdown.

"We're a confident team and that comes from the top," said Umenyiora. "It comes from our coaches, that comes from the fact they have so much confidence in us and that gives us confidence in ourselves...The more we play, the better we're going to get."

Dilfer threw a pair of interceptions, fumbled twice and was sacked six times, as San Francisco again played without injured quarterback Alex Smith. Smith was sidelined for the second straight game with a shoulder separation.

The 49ers (2-4), coming off a bye, have lost four in a row after opening the season with two straight wins.

"I'm disappointed in the loss mostly because I thought we had an outstanding week during the bye week," said 49ers head coach Mike Nolan. "We practiced well, I thought we prepared well. And it's evidence today that any time you make that many mistakes, whether it be penalties or turnovers -- I believe the turnovers themselves led to 24 points -- it's difficult to win."

San Francisco took a 7-6 lead early in the second quarter when Dilfer directed an 11-play, 81-yard touchdown drive. He capped it with a 17-yard scoring strike to Arnaz Battle, but things got much worse from there.

The 49ers forced the Giants into a quick punt, but Dilfer fumbled trying to hand off to Frank Gore on the next San Francisco offensive play and Umenyiora recovered at the 49ers' 27-yard-line.

Manning needed just four plays to put his team in the end zone, as Jacobs scored on a five-yard run for a 13-6 edge.

Dilfer's troubles continued on the next offensive snap, as he was picked off by Sam Madison. The Giants took over on the San Francisco 30 but couldn't reach the end zone and had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes.

New York got the ball back with 1:35 to play in the half and Tynes booted a 39-yard field goal in the closing seconds to give the Giants a 19-7 edge heading to the break.

The 49ers were on the move with the opening possession of the second half, driving from their 32 to the New York 15, but Dilfer was sacked by Umenyiora and lost the ball. Umenyiora picked up the loose football and rumbled 75 yards for a touchdown to make it 26-7.

"I just came around and I stripped the ball and every time I strip the ball I never really recover it for some reason, but this time it just bounced into my hands and I took it to the house," Umenyiora stated.

San Francisco picked up a safety a few minutes later when Moran Norris blocked a punt by Jeff Feagles and the ball rolled out of the end zone.

Dilfer was intercepted again in the fourth quarter, as Antonio Pierce picked off a pass and returned it 28 yards to the San Francisco five-yard line. Manning quickly converted the turnover into a touchdown, hitting Jeremy Shockey with a two-yard scoring toss for a 33-9 cushion with 10:50 to play.

"We're really controlling the line of scrimmage and that's the key to having a successful offense," noted Manning. "They're doing a good job of picking up blitzes. They're playing well so hopefully we can keep that up, keep the running game going and that just helps the play-action."

The 49ers tacked on a meaningless touchdown in the final minute when Dilfer found Darrell Jackson in the end zone from a yard away.

Dilfer completed 23-of-38 passes for 209 yards. Gore led San Francisco's ground game with 88 yards on 14 carries and added three receptions for 23 more.

The Giants marched 83 yards on 13 plays for the game's first touchdown. Manning completed five passes, including two straight to start the series, but the running game did most of the work until Amani Toomer caught a four-yard pass in the back of the end zone for the score. The extra point failed, leaving New York with a 6-0 lead.

Manning was intercepted on the next Giants possession, as Derek Smith picked off the pass on the San Francisco 15 and returned it four yards. The Niners converted the turnover into their first touchdown.

Game Notes

Toomer's touchdown catch was the 49th of his career, surpassing Kyle Rote's team record of 48...New York receiver Plaxico Burress had five catches for 43 yards, but failed to find the end zone for the first time this season. Rote still holds that Giant record with a touchdown reception in seven straight games...The all-time regular season series is even at 13-13. San Francisco has won four of the seven postseason meetings...The Giants next travel to London for a matchup with the winless Miami Dolphins...San Francisco returns home next Sunday to battle New Orleans.


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