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Monday Night Observations

The 49ers couldn't cover Odell Beckham. Had Eli Manning gotten more air under a couple passes, Beckham might have had a monster game. Even so, it was a nice comeback by the Giants, aided by some timely defensive penalties on the final drive.

Despite Beckham's production, Manning managed only 188 yards (6.1 YPA), three TDs, no picks and one sack. He stood in the pocket longer and made nice throws on all three TDs passes, particularly the two to Beckham. But his throws to a wide-open Evan Engram (behind him) and a couple to Saquon Barkley, especially on a near pick, lacked touch. And he missed Beckham wide open at the goal line, opting instead for a failed hand-off to Barkley which forced the Giants to settle for the field goal.

My guess is unless Manning has a three-pick, terrible game, the Giants will ride his carcass until the end of the year, cut Kyle Lauletta, who got arrested last month, and draft a QB next April. But I'd like to see them at least give Lauletta, on whom they spent a fourth-round pick, a shot.

Saquon Barkley had a quiet game, but still managed 100 YFS and four catches. He had little room to run on most plays.

Beckham went 11-4-73-2, but Manning left a lot on the table. Beckham did have one bad drop on the first series, though.

Evan Engram went 5-4-46, most of it on the final drive. He was virtually ignored for the rest of the game. Sterling Shepard caught the game-winning TD, but went only 3-2-9-1. He did have a 27-yard run though. Corey Coleman did a nice job in the return game and caught one pass for 11 yards. He was the first receiver taken in the 2016 draft.

Nick Mullens looked reasonably competent, though his numbers - 250 yards (6.4 YPA), one TD, two picks and no sacks - were pedestrian. He hung in the pocket and converted some key third downs, but he's small and not especially mobile. It doesn't look like there's much upside.

Matt Breida was the offensive star of the game - 17-101-1 on the ground and 4-3-31-1 through the air. He has no real competition for the job, so it's simply a matter of staying healthy. He was too fast for the Giants defense and tough to bring down despite his light frame. If he stays involved in the passing game, look out.

George Kittle (10-9-83) is far and away the team's top target. Marquise Goodwin (5-4-69) was the top wideout, though Kendrick Bourne (7-4-33) saw more targets.