The San Francisco 49ers endured a difficult lost to the New York Giants. The lost has many people wondering if the Niners are still an elite team in the NFL. I believe they still are. The lost against the Minnesota Vikings was a game where the Niners were out played. The time of possession was controlled by Minnesota which made it difficult for the Niners to get a rhythm on offense. The game this past Sunday was just a case where everything went wrong for the Niners.

It started on the opening drive when pro bowl kicker David Akers missed a very makeable field goal and would missed another one just before halftime. If both those field goals go through the halftime score becomes 10-9 but instead the score was 10-3. The quarter that was truly a disaster was third. Everything went wrong for the Niners in the quarter.

It started with a kickoff return by the Giants that put them near the Niners thirty yard line. Two awful Alex Smith interceptions would occur which ended in the Giants having great field position and scoring on both possessions. Later in the quarter with the Niners trailing 17-3, CB Carlos Rogers had an interception hit him right in the hands with nothing but green in front of him. The potential pick six could have been a turning point for the Niners, would have made the score only 17-10 instead of 20-3.

Niners could not catch a break in the game and played very sloppy while the Giants were playing mistake free football and taking advantage of their opportunities. Again I still truly believe the Niners are an elite football team, especially if they can get a victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The Hawks are a very good team with wins over the Green Bay Packers (kind of) and just recently the New England Patriots. It’s a big game for the Niners to get a game lead on the Hawks in the NFC West. I predict a Niner victory 23-20 and a great way to bounce back versus a strong opponent.

Credit: Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE

From time to time there are days when you are reminded how much sports can affect all of us, including children.  Over at Complex.com there is a story about a 6-year-old Giants fan sending 49ers running back Brandon Jacobs $3.36 to try to get him to come back to play for New York.  Apparently the kid did not understand why Jacobs would leave New York for San Francisco, especially after winning a Super Bowl.  After the kids dad explained the Giants did not have enough money to keep Jacobs, he took it upon himself to send Jacobs all of the money he had in his piggy bank which was $3.36.

Good thing for the 49ers is no amount of money, no matter how big or small, can pry Jacobs away from the team.  But you have to love the kids reaction to the Giants not being able to afford Jacobs.  The fact that the kid did not even think in terms of millions of dollars, but in whatever he could afford to bring his favorite player back to New York, should put things into perspective for all sports fans.

Here was Jacobs’ reaction from his Twitter account:

I almost cried, I am still trying to hold it in. I may have to pay him a surprise visit.

The kids dad included a note along with the $3.36.  In the letter there is also a short message from the kid that simply says:

Dear Brandon Jacobs,
So you could go to the Giants, here is my money.
Love, Joe

So awesome.  To view the letter click HERE.

And who can forget the 7-year-old 49ers fan who wrote Kyle Williams a letter of encouragement after he fumbled twice in the NFC Championship game and received death threats.  There are times when I wish we all thought like children, simple but smart.