SF 49ers vs. NY Giants: 3 X-factors for Kyle Shanahan in Week 3

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens #4 (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Can Nick Mullens ‘hold the fort’ with Jimmy Garoppolo out?

While Kyle Shanahan wasn’t entirely committed to giving Jimmy Garoppolo a week off to rest his high-ankle sprain, it seems highly unlikely the head coach lets his starting quarterback play in Week 3.

That means it’s time for Jimmy G’s backup, Nick Mullens, to suit up for meaningful snaps for the first time since late in 2018.

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Mullens proved he can work within Shanahan’s offense, boasting a 3-5 record over eight starts that year and with a far less-talented supporting cast around him. That bodes well for Mullens’ chances to pull off his fourth career win, especially against a Giants defense that should expect to be on the field a lot with all their offensive injuries and question marks.

But Mullens has a history of being far less effective on the road, albeit over a small sample size. His road record is 1-3, and seven of his 11 interceptions tossed have come away from Levi’s Stadium.

All that has equated to a career-81.0 passer rating in away games compared to 95.8 at home.

New York, so far, has performed well enough against the pass, allowing just 377 total yards through the air, second best in the league, and averaging 5.7 pass yards per play, good for seventh.

Moving the ball through the air might not be as easy as Mullens and Shanahan would like, making this a key X-factor in determining whether or not the Niners can pull off their second win of the season in Week 3.

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The SF 49ers and NY Giants kick off from MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. ET.