Giants LB Kennard, 49ers LB Brooks inactive

“Obviously, that’d be great“, Eli Manning said.

New York Giants starting strong-side linebacker Devon Kennard and nickel linebacker Jonathan Casillas were among the team’s seven inactive players in their Sunday night matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Add in the fact that this is the second cross country trip the 49ers have taken in the last month, and that does not bode well for the team. Week 5 will be no different, as the 49ers D/ST is not a start-worthy fantasy option as they travel to New York to face the Giants. In a straight pick, you could take New York at -310, or San Francisco at +250. You can earn your stripes. “Being that our team is so young, if I relay that message to them, they ll understand where I m coming from”. Stand-in quarterback Michael Vick was hampered by the slow pace of the play-calling but didn’t do too bad overall, completing 19 of 26 passes in a game where both teams focused on the run.

Chris Snee and Osi Umenyiora, who filled prominent roles in the victories in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI, will enter the Giants’ Ring of Honor during a halftime ceremony – along with former athletic trainer John Johnson, who is 98, and Jack Lummus, who played for the Giants in 1941 and was killed in World War II. He has been soundly panned after back-to-back dismal outings.

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick vs. Giants secondary. Because on this day at Candlestick Park it was all Ricky Watters, with the 49ers’ running back rushing for 118 yards and five touchdowns, while catching five passes.

“I think, in general, we haven’t been as clean outside the numbers as we’d like to be, ” offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said. Most eyes will be on Aaron Lynch, but it would be huge if the 49ers could get production from whoever starts opposite him as well.

NFC East lead is at stake on Sunday night. A patchwork line is on pace to allow a franchise-high 56 sacks. And the 49ers defense has only two interceptions and no fumble recoveries, enhancing the field-position plight.

Finally, cornerbacks Jayron Hosley (concussion) and Trumaine McBride (groin) are tagged as questionable for the game, so Trevin Wade will be called upon more frequently by Spagnuolo.

Hard-hitting, intimidating defense used to be the 49ers’ recipe for success. Yes, the Giants are vulnerable to the pass – they are ranked last in the league in yards allowed – but the tandem of CBs Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is among the league’s most underrated.

Bowman has been there nearly every step of the way with his reconstructed left knee. Still, Kaepernick, with a 67.7 QB rating and six turnovers through four games, has to play better.

Said Tom Coughlin: “They’re 1-3 and they’re desperate to win”.

On the other sideline, Vernon Davis will be wearing a baseball cap instead of his regular helmet as he continues to struggle with a knee injury.