The New York Giants crushed the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in an ominous sign of their intentions to defend their Super Bowl title.
The Giants (4-2) made light work of the 49ers (4-2), the team that beat last year’s NFC Conference final, to win 26-3, while last season’s AFC champions, the New England Patriots, suffered a surprise loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The red-hot Atlanta Falcons won a thriller with the Oakland Raiders to maintain their perfect start while the Cleveland Browns finally registered their first victory of the National Football League season.
The Baltimore Ravens survived a nail-biter with the Dallas Cowboys for their fourth successive win while the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins all won.
The Giants gave 49ers quarterback Alex Smith a torrid time, sacking him six times and making three interceptions while New York signal-caller Eli Manning threw for 193 yards and a touchdown, to Victor Cruz.
“Coming in to this game, we knew it was a great challenge to see where we stand,” Manning said in a televised interview from Candlestick Park.