For the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants a victory on Sunday will be a huge statement win for the team coming out on top.  The winner will emerge as the clear number two in the NFC behind the Green Bay Packers.  A win on Sunday by the 49ers will strengthen their five game lead in the NFC West and give them their fourth win over a possible playoff team.  A win by the Giants will give them a four-game winning streak, their second straight win on the road against a formidable team and a chance to extend their NFC East lead to three games.

At the beginning of the season nobody thought the 49ers and Giants would have a combined record of 13-3 and lead their divisions in week ten.  Both teams are led by quarterbacks that don’t get much respect in the NFL.  This is more so true for the 49ers and Alex Smith but Giants QB Eli Manning, even with a Super Bowl ring, also has his share of critics. Smith and Manning have gained more respect with the way they have managed and led their teams to the top of their divisions this season.  One reason for the unexpected rise by both teams is the fourth quarter play by Smith and Manning.

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