HERO
The Giants defense, which broke down the 49ers’ offense with three INTs of QB Alex Smith and shut down 49ers RB Frank Gore after he had gotten off to a strong start. Giant safety Antrel Rolle was the star for the Giants with two second-half INTs to seal the game. The 49ers had outscored their opponents 79-3 in the previous two games.
UNSUNG HERO
Giants No. 3 WR Domenik Hixon, who made a couple of circus catches in the first half to spark the offense. Hixon, who finished with four catches for 78 yards, leaped high in the air and hauled in a 39-yard Eli Manning heave in the second quarter. Three plays later, he made a great catch on the sideline keeping his feet inbounds — one play before the Giant scored their first TD.
ZERO
49ers quarterback Alex Smith, who went from someone who never turns the ball over to throwing three INTs. He finished 19-of-30 for 200 yards and a 43.1 rating.
KEY MOMENT
When Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara picked off Smith, it changed the tenor of the first half. Smith had thrown only one INT in his previous 377 passes prior to the Amukamara play. The Giants converted the turnover into a TD and a 7-3 lead on the ensuing possession.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s a great feeling to show ourselves how good we are and that it wasn’t a fluke last year, that we deserved it and we earned it.”
— Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw