National Football League

Smith throws 3 INTs, 49ers fall 26-3 to Giants

Published Oct. 15, 2012 2:59 a.m. ET

foxsports

Jim Harbaugh had no shortage of words before his 49ers faced the New York Giants again. After San Francisco had been smashed more than they ever had in his tenure, the second-year coach kept his comments to a minimum.

''It wasn't a great day for any of us,'' he said.

Alex Smith threw three interceptions in his worst start in almost three years, and the 49ers fell 26-3 to the Giants on Sunday in a rematch of last season's NFC championship game.

''They're the defending Super Bowl champs,'' Smith said. ''So any time you're playing them, it's a chance to say something and we didn't get it done today.''

Not even close.

Antrel Rolle intercepted two passes by Smith, Prince Amukamara picked off another and the Giants shut down San Francisco in impressive fashion. After outscoring the Bills and Jets by a combined 79-3 the last two weeks, the 49ers (4-2) met their match again with Eli Manning and New York's top team.

No overtime needed this time, and not much of Manning either.

Manning threw for 193 yards and one touchdown, Bradshaw ran for 116 yards and a score and New York (4-2) rode a dominant defense and four fields by Lawrence Tynes to hand Harbaugh the most lopsided loss since last season's 16-6 loss at brother John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night.

San Francisco had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in the previous 22 home games.

''Plan-wise, it wasn't the right one,'' Harbaugh said. ''You try to figure out what the next one will be, but a tough loss for us, and we have to bounce back fast.''

Indeed, no time for San Francisco to sulk. The 49ers host Seattle on Thursday night, and they'll have to find a way to correct a wave of mistakes.

The Giants grinded out a 20-17 overtime win at rain-soaked Candlestick Park on Jan. 22, capitalizing on two fumbles punts by Williams en route to another Super Bowl title over the Patriots. All week some San Francisco players talked about ''unfinished business,'' and Harbaugh added to the hype when he fired back a strongly worded statement criticizing Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, who had said All-Pro defensive end Justin Smith often ''gets away with murder'' holding linemen.

For all the hoopla, the rematch was never close.

Amukamara's interception in the second quarter started a surge of New York offense. Smith, who wore tape around his sprained middle finger that he said wasn't an issue, lofted the pass too high and allowed Amukamara to leap underneath the ball before tight end Delanie Walker even had a chance at the Giants 33.

At one point in the first half, Manning completed eight consecutive passes for 142 yards and had the usually stout San Francisco defense out of sorts. Domenik Hixon tip-toed the sideline to catch passes of 39 and 16 yards on consecutive third downs, and Victor Cruz followed with a 6-yard touchdown reception and his usual salsa dance in the end zone to give the Giants a 7-3 lead in the second quarter.

''The statement made,'' Cruz said, ''is that we're here to stay.''

New York's next drive stalled and Tynes kicked a 34-yard field goal to go ahead 10-3. Tarell Brown blocked a 40-yard attempt by Tynes, San Francisco took over with 8 seconds left before half and wildcat quarterback Colin Kaepernick completed a 36-yard pass to Mario Manningham - the former Giant - before David Akers missed wide left from 52 yards as time expired.

Akers, who tied the NFL record with a 63-yard field goal in a Week 1 win at Green Bay, also hooked a 43-yard field goal wide right on San Francisco's first drive. He made a 42-yarder from the same right hash mark. The All-Pro kicker is 11 of 16 this season.

Once the break was over, the Giants sent San Francisco spiraling down and out.

David Wilson returned the second-half kickoff 66 yards to set up Bradshaw's 1-yard TD run. That extended New York's lead to 17-3 and quieted the Candlestick crowd - except for the Giants fans that sprinkled the stands blue on a sun-splashed day along the bay.

On San Francisco's next two possessions, Rolle intercepted Smith's passes to foil any 49ers rally.

The first came on an overthrown pass intended for Manningham that Rolle returned 20 yards to the San Francisco 12. On the second, he stepped in front of a pass to Williams and ran 22 yards to the San Francisco 5.

''I could tell, at times, we had him a little rattled,'' Rolle said.

''It's tough to speak about any other facet,'' Smith said. ''We made it tough on the defense.''

The Giants sacked Smith six times and had him under constant pressure, made worse when left tackle Joe Staley left with a concussion in the third quarter. Smith finished 19 of 30 for 200 yards, and the 49ers were held to 80 yards rushing.

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NOTES: It was the seventh time in Smith's career the 2005 No. 1 overall pick threw three interceptions and first since a 27-13 loss at Philadelphia on Dec. 20, 2009. ... 49ers RB Brandon Jacobs, who was inactive again, was in the Giants locker room handing out hugs and handshakes after the game to his former teammates. He has not played since injuring his left knee in the preseason. ... The last time San Francisco allowed a 100-yard rusher at home was Tennessee's Chris Johnson, who ran for 135 yards on Nov. 8, 2009.

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Antonio Gonzalez can be reached at: www.twitter.com/agonzalezAP

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