Giants vs. 49ers: Preview, score prediction for Week 10

New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers welcome the New York Giants to Levi’s Stadium in Week 10 as they aim to finally get their first win against a team seemingly in disarray. San Francisco dropped to 0-9 last week with a 20-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, with Jimmy Garoppolo left on the sidelines as C.J. Beathard took a beating behind a banged up offensive line.

The primary question that remains for a rebuilding Niners team concerns when Garoppolo will play. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has not ruled out the prospect of starting this week but intimated it will again be Beathard under center. New York heads into the contest with coach Ben McAdoo having supposedly lost the support of his players, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, on the back of a 51-17 blowout at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that the Giants will not make any coaching changes during the season. However, it will be interesting to see if that remains the case should the Giants hand the 49ers their first win.

Keys to the Game

If New York is to have any sustained offensive success after last week’s dismal effort, then Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard figure to be key. In the absence of Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall, Engram has emerged as the Giants’ best offensive weapon and has 29 catches for 212 yards and three touchdowns in his last three games.

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His combination of size and athleticism will present a stiff test for the San Francisco secondary, though the Niners rank first in the league in defending tight ends, according to Football Outsiders.

The 49ers will be better served to defend slot receiver Shepard — who had five receptions for 70 yards on his return last week — if nickel corner K’Waun Williams is able to make his comeback from a quadriceps injury.

Injuries have decimated the Niners this season and, with rookie tight end George Kittle and first-year wideout Trent Taylor both out this week, passing game production could be hard to come by. Along with Williams, guard Brandon Fusco (biceps), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (neck), defensive end Aaron Lynch (calf), linebacker Mark Nzeocha (neck), tackle Joe Staley (eye) and defensive end Solomon Thomas (knee) were all limited in Thursday practice.

The presence of Fusco and Staley would be a big boost to the Niners’ hopes of protecting Beathard but, if they cannot go, then it would be no surprise to see the 49ers put the emphasis on Carlos Hyde and the run game.

New York is ranked No. 25 in defending the run by Football Outsiders and a defense that is giving up 125.9 yards per game on the ground will be without three linebackers in B.J. Goodson (ankle), Devon Kennard and Keenan Robinson (quad). Look for Hyde to try to take advantage.

Odds

Point Spread: New York -3
Moneyline: New York -145 San Francisco +125
Over/Under: 42

Next: NFL 2017: Best games to watch in Week 10

Prediction

Not since he came in for Brian Hoyer against the Washington Redskins has Beathard looked like steering the Niners to a victory, but this may be his best chance before the inevitable happens and Garoppolo comes in. The Giants are a complete mess and it’s tough to trust them going cross-country on the back of a blowout home loss.

Final Score: New York Giants: 17, San Francisco 49ers: 20

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