Golden Nuggets: Defense Carries The Load

The 49ers escaped with the win in New York on the back of 5 Eli Manning interceptions. The defense continued to dominate and lead this team. Aldon Smith had his long awaited debut this season and helped the defense pressure Manning. With the LB duo of Willis and Bowman out, Chris Borland continued to make a name for himself in the league. He added to his already great rookie campaign by intercepting 2 passes and collecting 13 tackles.

The duo of Aaron Lynch and Aldon Smith caused as much trouble for the Niners as it did for the Giants. According to reports, Ahmad Brooks was not pleased with the defensive rotations and took himself out of the game. He cut off his tape and took off his cleats. The writing was on the wall with this issue. With suggestions that Ahmad came into camp overweight, wasn't playing very well, and Aaron Lynch playing extremely well, it was only a matter of time that the team was looking to the younger player. And with Brooks' contract up this year, the Niners needed to see if they had a player ready to take his place. It is looking like they do. Lynch was playing too well to take out of the lineup and there was no way Aldon wasn't going to play. That leaves Brooks sharing time. Hopefully it doesn't affect the team in their quest to make the playoffs.

As an offense, only scoring 3 points off 5 turnovers is unacceptable. They need to do a much better job of scoring touchdowns, not field goals. The better teams in the league will punish them if they don't score 7 points. Luckily this week, Eli was being very generous. The team comes home this weekend and face Washington. With another game against the NFC East and the Cardinals playing the Seahawks this Sunday, the Niners have to take advantage of their division rivals' slip up.

49ers Links

Lynch was playing too well to sit him. And Aldon is just one of the best defensive players in the league. Sorry Ahmad. You can't win this battle | Brooks Sat Himself Down (Alper)

So good to see #99 out on the field again | Aldon's 2014 Debut (Gutierrez)

Internal Affairs Looking Into SJPD-Niners (Mercury News)

Really need to step up their game. They are healthy | Report Card: Offense (Gin)

This unit is unbelievable. No matter the circumstances, they keep playing extremely well | Report Card: Defense (Gin)

Culliver Supports Harbaugh (Williams)

Between him and Borland, who is the Niners' best rookie? Would be a tough vote | Lynch Shines Again (Barrows)

Brooks is in a contract year. He's looking to impress. Unfortunately for him, he hasn't played all that well | Brooks And The Team (Branch)

NFC Playoff Picture (Smith)

Refocus (Mountford)

How To Make The Playoffs (Inman)

By The Numbers (Biderman)

More Game Numbers (49ers)

Defense played very well. Offense needs to be much better | Team Report Card (49ers Video)

Action Cam (49ers Video)

Infographic (49ers Staff)

Ian can't catch a break | Williams To IR (49ers Staff)

Brooks - Harbaugh Talk (Corkran)

One player comes back from injury, another takes his place. This is your 2014 Niners | Dorsey's Back (Barrows)

Let it be true. Signs looking good | Bowman Back To Practice Tomorrow? (Corkran)

Harbaugh Defends Medical Practices (Kroichick)

They will get better with more and more playing time | Smith/Lynch Impress (Price)

He may be short, but he's a football player. He has a way of finding the ball and making tackles | A Star In Borland (Wesseling)

Ahmad Brooks To Play Sunday (Maiocco)

Activate Dorsey, Williams To IR (Maiocco)

Harbaugh Reviews Week 11 (49ers Video)

Jim and his quotes. Where does he get these? | "Like A Pig In Slop" (Corkran)

6 Notes From Jim (49ers Staff)

Forty Viners (Kegley)

Kap, Beckham Swap Jerseys (Emerick)

Roster Moves (Biderman)

Brooks To Play Sunday (Barrows)