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An inside look at Thursday night’s Giants-49ers NFL Week 3 matchup in Santa Clara, Calif.:
Marquee matchup
49ers DE Nick Bosa vs. Giants RT Evan Neal
Bosa, with 34 sacks the past two years, does not have a sack in 76 pass-rush snaps in the first two games but he does have nine total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Neal in 94 pass-block snaps has allowed one sack and 10 pressures.
The Giants selected Neal with the No. 7 overall pick in 2022 to deal with the Bosa-type monsters of the league but thus far Neal has not lived up to his advance billing.
“When you talk about pass rushers like Micah Parsons, Nick Bosa, I mean all those guys have a knack for getting after the quarterback,’’ Neal said. “Both are tremendous players. I feel like Bosa has a different style than Micah Parsons, they don’t move him around as much. He is a true hand in the dirt, outside linebacker, edge rusher. Tremendous player and I am excited for the challenge.’’
Paul’s pick
If you know what to expect from the Giants after those first two bizarre games, raise your hand.
The rundown: Six horrid quarters followed by two dominant quarters.
Stream the game live on Thursday night on Amazon Prime Video
It will take resolve for the full 60 minutes to hang in with the mighty Niners.
Daniel Jones is going to have to make some awfully big plays with his legs and arm and the defense this time around is going to take its wake-up call before halftime.
Doesn’t seem very likely, does it?
49ers 27, Giants 13.
Four downs
Sad sacks: Yes, the Giants are the only team in the league that has yet to get a sack on defense this season.
But wait, there’s more.
In addition to no sacks, the Giants also do not have an interception or a forced fumble — no turnovers created.
This is the first time in franchise history the Giants have been shut out in all these areas in back-to-back games, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
“Rush and cover work together,’’ linebacker Bobby Okereke said. “We’ve just got to cover our guys for a second longer and let those guys get home and same thing, they’ve got to get home, so we don’t have to cover as long. It works together.’’
Purdy good: Brock Purdy is 9-0 when he starts and finishes a game, including two postseason games.
In the 30-7 season-opening victory in Pittsburgh, Purdy became the first quarterback in NFL history to win his first six starts while throwing at least two touchdown passes in all six games.
He benefits greatly from the system and talent around him.
But … still. Purdy as the 262nd and final pick in the 2022 draft — Mr. Irrelevant — is doing remarkable things.
Man down: Losing Barkley to a sprained ankle on the next-to-last offensive snap was a late-game Giants downer in the astounding 21-point comeback to edge the Cardinals.
This leaves veteran Matt Breida, third-year Gary Brightwell and rookie Eric Gray as the available running backs — with wide receiver Parris Campbell also capable of taking handoffs.
Does it matter who is in the backfield?
The 49ers have gone 30 consecutive games without allowing a running back to gain 70 yards.
Line games: It has been quite the juggling act along the offensive line.
Mark Glowinski was benched after his rough Week 1 outing, but when Ben Bredeson went down in Arizona with a concussion, Glowinski was summoned — to play left tackle, rather than his customary left guard spot.
As Andrew Thomas misses a second consecutive game, it is Josh Ezeudu once again at left tackle, with Marcus McKethan making his second NFL start, at right guard.
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