AT A GLANCE

The New York Giants scored on the opening drive of Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers but struggled the rest of the way in a 34-24 loss at home. The Giants, who have lost three in a row, dropped to 2-7 on the season, while the 49ers improved to 6-3.

UP NEXT

The Giants begin a three-game stretch through the NFC North, traveling to Chicago next week and Detroit in Week 12. In between, they host the Green Bay Packers. The Giants won their most recent matchup with the Bears, a 20-12 home victory in 2022. This year, the Bears are 5-3 after a 47-42 victory at Cincinnati on Sunday.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

The Giants' starting offensive line changed for the second time in three weeks after right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor was ruled out with a pectoral injury. Rookie Marcus Mbow, a fifth-round pick out of Purdue, made his first career start in place of Eluemunor. The Giants had to reshuffle again when center John Michael Schmitz went down midway through the third quarter with shin injury and did not return. He was replaced by Austin Schlottmann, who had already started in place of Schmitz (concussion) in Week 7 at Denver.

The 49ers had allowed a league-low three total points on their opponents' first possession of the game heading into Sunday. Jaxson Dart changed that with a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Theo Johnson to open a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Dart has now led the Giants to touchdowns on their first drive in four of his six starts.

Earlier this week, Dart was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October, becoming the fifth different Giant to win the award since 2002. He kicked off November by completing 24 of 33 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the team with 56 rushing yards on eight attempts, including a six-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The Giants played their first game without running back Cam Skattebo, who underwent successful surgery on his dislocated ankle last Sunday night. The fourth-round pick led all NFL rookies in yards from scrimmage and touchdowns until the season-ending injury.

Veteran Devin Singletary saw the majority of the carries with eight for 43 yards. Tyrone Tracy Jr. had just five carries for 18 yards.

The Giants activated wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III from the practice squad for Sunday. Last week, McCloud reunited with coach Brian Daboll, who was his offensive coordinator when Buffalo drafted the Clemson product in 2018. Last season, McCloud posted career highs in starts (13), catches (62), receiving yards (686) and yards from scrimmage (765) for the Falcons, who released him Oct. 21. McCloud started on Sunday and had one catch for five yards.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

The Giants played without three-quarters of their starting secondary. Safety Jevón Holland (knee) and cornerback Paulson Adebo (knee) each missed their second consecutive game, while cornerback Cor'Dale Flott was out with a concussion that he sustained last week at Philadelphia.

Deonte Banks and Korie Black started at cornerback, and Dane Belton played opposite Tyler Nubin at safety. They went up against Mac Jones, who started at quarterback in place of the injured Brock Purdy for the seventh time this season. Jones completed his first 14 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. His first incompletion didn't come until the second play of the second half.

No player in the NFL touches the ball more than running back Christian McCaffrey – for good reason. The 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year ran 28 times for 106 yards and a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Trailing 17-7 with 33 seconds left in the first half, Brian Burns gave the Giants a much-needed jolt with a strip-sack. The football shot up straight in the air, and rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter jumped up to grab it inside the 49ers 30-yard line. However, the Giants failed to capitalize on the takeaway, netting zero yards on three plays on the ensuing possession before Graham Gano missed a 45-yard field goal attempt.

Burns, who also batted a pass on Sunday, entered Week 9 tied with Cleveland's Myles Garrett for the league lead in sacks with 10.0. Burns now has 11.0 in nine games, putting him on pace for 20 sacks. The NFL single-season record is 22.5 sacks, shared by Michael Strahan (2001) and T.J. Watt (2021).

The 49ers had eight different players record an offensive play of 10 yards or longer, and four different players with catches of 20 yards or more.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS

Graham Gano missed a 45-yard field goal attempt wide left with 15 seconds remaining in the first half. It was the Giants' first missed field goal of the season on 11 attempts (nine by Gano and two by Jude McAtamney), although they have missed three extra points (all attempted by McAtamney). Gano later made a field goal attempt from 22 yards.

Coming out of halftime, Jamie Gillan's kickoff landed short of the landing zone, placing the ball at the 40-yard line for the 49ers. Heading into Week 9, Giants opponents had the worst average starting field position in the NFL.

IN-GAME INJURY REPORT

NYG: C John Michael Schmitz (shin), LB Darius Muasau (ankle), WR Beaux Collins (neck)

SF: None reported

INACTIVES

NYG: S Jevón Holland (knee), CB Paulson Adebo (knee), CB Cor'Dale Flott (concussion), DL Chauncey Golston (neck), OT Jermaine Eluemunor (pec), TE Daniel Bellinger (neck), QB Jameis Winston (3^rd QB)

SF: QB Brock Purdy (toe), WR Ricky Pearsall (knee), C Jake Brendel (hamstring), DE Bryce Huff (hamstring), RB Jordan James, S Marque Sigle, DT C.J. West

GAMEDAY ROSTER MOVES

NYG: WR Ray-Ray McCloud III (elevated from practice squad), LB Zaire Barnes (elevated from practice squad), CB Rico Payton (activated from injured reserve), CB Art Green (placed on injured reserve)

SF: OL Spencer Burford (activated from injured reserve), DL Clelin Ferrell (elevated from practice squad), OL Nick Zakelj (elevated from practice squad), DL Yetur Gross-Matos (placed on injured reserve)