49ers-Giants preview: QB Nick Mullens key to victory on Monday Night Football

49ers X-factors and players to watch

QB Nick Mullens

Mullens’ NFL debut was an intense — and emotional — day for the young quarterback. Mullens doesn’t need to be perfect in tonight’s contest, but he needs to play with both confidence and intelligence. After Mullens wasn’t sacked last week, the Giants are likely to bring more pressure on Monday night. Mullens needs to do what his predecessor failed to do — successfully work the pocket and get the ball out quickly to avoid sacks and turnovers.

TE George Kittle

Garcon’s absence leaves the 49ers with a void in the intermediate passing game, where tight end George Kittle — who’s currently on pace for over 1,200 receiving yards — has excelled all season. Kittle needs to continue to be the matchup nightmare he’s become in his second year in the league — regardless of whether he keeps his eyes open on key plays:

EDGE Dekoda Watson and EDGE Cassius Marsh

Edge rusher Dekoda Watson‘s return to the field in Week 9 provided the 49ers with the pass-rushing boost they’ve lacked all season. San Francisco’s eight sacks on Thursday night killed drives and kept the Raiders from mounting any semblance of a late-game comeback. After combining for four sacks last week, Watson and fellow edge rusher Cassius Marsh will have an opportunity to bring the heat against a sack-friendly Giants offense.

49ers linebacking corps

With Foster relegated to the sideline, each of the 49ers’ linebackers will need to step their game up against Barkley, who will see a heavy workload as both a runner and a receiver. MIKE linebacker Fred Warner and his inside-linebacker counterpart will need to focus on Barkley when San Francisco brings pressure, and finish off tackles when Manning dumps it off to his favorite short-yardage receiver.