/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62216121/1056151120.jpg.0.jpg)
There is a little less than a week before the 49ers take on the New York Giants on Monday Night Football to try to extend their winning streak. After handling the Oakland Raiders with ease on Thursday Night Football, Kyle Shanahan has yet to name a starter for the Giants game, but it would be very difficult to not have Nick Mullens start. In his 1st NFL start, Nick looked very comfortable throwing the ball around.
Other than Nick Mullens, the 49ers defense had a great performance against the Raiders. They had 7 sacks and did not allow any points other than the 1st Raiders drive that ended with a field goal. Defensive coordinator Robert Salah was having a rough season trying to lead this defense and his unit finally delivered a great performance. The Raiders are not a good team, but the performance against them is still a morale booster. Even with the great performance, the 49ers were unable to take away the ball. That is an issue that they need to get much better at. Eli Manning is up next and he has been sacked a league high 31 times, so the 49ers defense could have a great chance at a few more sacks.
In just his 2nd year, George Kittle has elevated himself to the upper tier of tight ends in the league. He had 108 yards and 1 touchdown against Oakland including a huge 71 yard one-handed catch and run. The catch was through traffic and it is one of the top catches in the NFL this year. Kittle is 3rd in receptions and 2nd in yards amongst all tight ends. He is in line to make the Pro Bowl and all this is happening with him catching passes from 3 different quarterbacks this season. Big things are in store for Kittle and he is the best draft pick that Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have made so far.
49ers links
Nick Mullens (Inman)
Cassius Marsh with a good performance (Wolfe)
Great 1st year for Fred | Fred Warner flashing his talents (Gayle)
He has been sacked the most this season | Eli Manning to start vs 49ers (Florio)
No benching for Eli just yet (Chiappelli)
An epic matchup | Mullens vs. Manning (Inman)
Definitely getting the start | Mullens working with starters (Gantt)
Another start for Mullens (Williams)
Ready for Mullens vs Manning? (Wagoner)
Well deserved | 2nd start for Nick (Madson)
Need to see him in more action | Richie James (Madson)
Another chance to shine on primetime | Nick Mullen’s next start on another primetime game (Mansanarez)
Earning his 2nd career start (Maiocco)
1st team snaps (Maiocco)
Kittle is a top TE in only his 2nd year | Kyle on Kittle’s draft slip (Chan)
Moving up the power rankings (Madson)
Mullen’s preparation does not change now that he’s the starter (Biderman)
Midyear grades (Cohn)
Another game for Nick (Branch)
Favored again | 49ers favored against New York Giants (Madson)