49ers win over Giants not a given. Instead it’s precarious, pivotal

When the San Francisco 49ers’ 2025 “last place” schedule was released, among the long list of unappealing matchups was this week’s game against the New York Giants, who finished 3-14 last season.

Turns out Sunday’s game against the Giants — scheduled for 10 a.m. PST at Metlife Stadium — could be pivotal.

“This is a big week for us,” quarterback Mac Jones said on Thursday. “It’s one of those, you look at your record, you win and you’re in a good spot. You lose and you’re not in as good of a spot.”

The game represents the midpoint of the season. Falling on the same day as the NYC Marathon, it marks a switch from a race of football endurance to more of an urgent sprint. The game also falls two days before the trade deadline, so if general manager John Lynch is pondering any other moves, this could be the game that helps him decide.

Are the 49ers the team that jumped out to a 4-1 start and appeared ready to make a run at the division title? Or are they the team that lost two of their past three games and that looks as though its devastating injuries have finally caught up?

The lowly Giants, with a 2-6 record, may help decide that question.

“If we win, we’re sitting at 6-3 and would be in a really good position,” Lynch said on KNBR on Thursday morning.

Lose and the 49ers would be 5-4 and still looking up at the Seahawks and Rams. Not a good position.

Everyone in this city is talking about the big decision to make on Tuesday, Nov. 4 — you literally can’t walk past anyone on the street without the mayoral race being discussed. But Lynch has his own decision. Over his tenure, he’s set the bar high and conditioned the fan base to believe he’ll make a midseason fix. 

But, beyond this week’s trade for New England defensive end Keion White, there might not be much else happening. The White trade was made out of sheer necessity: the 49ers need healthy bodies. No one is expecting him to come in and be Nick Bosa.

Both Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have made it clear they’re not looking for a splashy rental for just this year and they’re not interested in trading away valuable draft picks. That’s in keeping with the theme of the offseason, when the 49ers — in a decision made by owner Jed York — opted to save money, pay Brock Purdy, shed veteran salaries and go young. 

That hot 4-1 start could have changed the philosophy — hey, do you know where the Super Bowl is being played in February? But with the debilitating losses of All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner and Bosa, it appears the 49ers are sticking with their plan and will see how far they can get with their young defense and a heavy, heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey on offense.

The 49ers can’t feel optimistic following the wretched loss to Houston a week ago. The Giants offer a similar style of opponent: a not very good offense paired with a dynamic pass rush. The Giants’ offense is reeling with the loss of rookie sparkplug Cam Skattebo, but they have been energized by rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who Lynch says possess the “it factor.”

But the Giants’ defense could give the 49ers fits, just like Houston’s did.

“Similar in the fact they have an elite defensive line, as good as there is from the five rushers that they get on the field at the same time and the depth they have behind them,” Shanahan said. “… Their starters, rookie, veterans — (Dexter) Lawrence has been there forever. So as good as it gets from a pass rush standpoint.”

Lawrence might be particularly fired up after Giants legend and team-employed broadcaster Carl Banks publicly blasted him, saying no one respected the All-Pro defensive lineman anymore. Lawrence’s stats are down, though his double-teams aren’t. He may try to prove his worth to whoever is playing quarterback for the 49ers.

Who will it be? The 49ers left the option open this week, though Jones took the starter’s role with the media on Thursday. But the 49ers haven’t ruled out Purdy, waiting to see how he handles the week of practice. 

Shanahan said he wants to see if Purdy feels confident and is moving well.

“Last time, we felt like he was feeling pretty good, looked pretty good in practice and then in the game one hit set him back four weeks,” Shanahan said. “So it’s kind of a sensitive situation.”

A word of advice: sports karma is a real thing. And trotting Purdy out onto the MetLife turf that swallowed half the 49ers team in 2020 would be testing fate. Though both Shanahan and Lynch said they would have no hesitation about playing Purdy if he can go, it seems like a far from ideal spot to test his injured toe. Those who don’t learn from the history on the MetLife surface are doomed to repeat it. 

One thing the 49ers have learned this season — there are no gimmes. Even in this game against the lowly Giants.