49ers vs. Giants: A prospector's guide

The San Francisco 49ers travel to face the New York Giants this weekend, looking to build on last week's win over the New Orleans Saints. The Giants are struggling, but these two teams have enough of a rivalry that hopefully this game will not be overlooked.

They did not play last season, but the first two years of Jim Harbaugh's tenure with the 49ers featured three matchups. The 49ers claimed the first one 27-20 in San Francisco, thanks in part to a Justin Smith pass deflection late in the game. The Giants won a heart-breaker in overtime the following January, claiming the NFC championship with it. They then stomped the 49ers 26-3 later that fall.

This all comes after an extensive playoff history in the 80s and early 90s. The 49ers and Giants four times in the playoffs between 1982 and 1987, and then twice more in 1991 and 1994. In playoff matchups, the squads are 4-4. They are 1-1 in wild card matchups, the 49ers are 3-1 in divisional round matchups, and the Giants are 2-0 in conference championship games.

Series Highlights
Matchups: 37
Series Record: Giants lead series 19-18
49ers Away Record vs. Giants: Giants lead series 10-7
First Meeting: 11/9/52, Giants win 23-14, at NYG
Last Meeting: 10/14/12, Giants win 26-3, at SF
Current Streak: Lost 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 6 (9/6/92 - 1/5/03)
Longest Giants Win Streak: 5 (10/15/72 - 10/14/79)
Most 49ers Points: 44 (1/15/94): 49ers win 44-3, at SF (d)
Most Giants Points: 49 (1/4/87): Giants win 49-3, at NYG (d)
49ers Shutouts: 1 (11/23/80), 49ers win 12-0, at SF
Giants Shutouts: None
(d) - NFC Divisional Playoff

WR Anquan Boldin

• As a member of the Arizona Cardinals, caught 1 TD and recorded game-highs in receptions (11) and receiving yards (87) on November 23, 2008

TE Vernon Davis

• Hauled in a 31-yard TD pass from QB Alex Smith in the 4th qtr. vs. NYG (11/13/11), leaping over a defender on his way into the end zone. The TD reception ranked him t-1st in franchise history for the most TD receptions among TEs (Brent Jones), with 33 career TDs.

• Notched 3 receptions for 112 yds. and 2 TD receptions vs. NYG (NFC - C) (1/22/12). Was on the receiving end of a 73-yard TD pass by QB Alex Smith in the 1st qtr. The 73-yard completion tied Davis' career-long [73t at StL (1/3/10)] and marked the fourth longest postseason re- cept. in 49ers postseason history.

RB Frank Gore

• Registered 119 yards from scrimmage (74 rushing and 45 receiving) in 2012 NFC Championship Game

DT Ray McDonald

• Registered a career postseason-high 2.5 sacks vs. NYG (NFC - C) (1/22/12), which ranked t-2nd in franchise history for the most sacks by one player in a postseason game. His sack of Eli Manning and subsequent FF were both postseason firsts for McDonald. His 9 tackles were also a career postseason-high.

DT Justin Smith

• Batted down Giants QB Eli Manning's 4th down pass from the 10- yard line with 34 seconds remaining to preserve a 27-20 victory vs. NYG (11/13/11).

• Posted a season-high 12 tackles vs. NYG (NFC - C) (1/22/12).

2014 Statistics