SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco 49ers wanted a statement game to show the skeptics they’re a legitimate winner.
Justin Smith batted down Eli Manning’s pass in the closing seconds of New York’s comeback try, and San Francisco stopped the Giants on fourth down for a 27-20 victory in Sunday’s NFC showdown to boost its chances of a first-round playoff bye.
With his team trailing, Manning completed two long fourth-down passes and got the Giants into the red zone with 1:53 to go. Unlike last week’s rally by New York (6-3) at New England, Smith thwarted the final chance with a leaping, right-handed smack of the ball on fourth-and-2.
The 49ers (8-1) — with a five-game cushion in the division — won without relying on running back Frank Gore, whose franchise-record streak of five straight games with 100 yards rushing ended with a knee injury and his first career game with zero yards.
Jim Harbaugh’s NFC West-leading Niners rolled off their seventh straight victory to extend their best start since 1997, and matched the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers for the most wins.
David Akers kicked four field goals, setting up one with an onside kick, as the 49ers won their most meaningful home game at Candlestick Park since coming from 24 points down to stun the Giants 39-38 in the NFC wild-card game Jan. 5, 2003.
