The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.
Containing Christian McCaffrey is priority No. 1.
John Schmeelk: Fact – There aren't many players who are capable of leading their team in both receiving and rushing yards. But that's what he has done through eight games. There aren't many players capable of gaining 1,000 yards on the ground and through the air in the same season. McCaffrey is on pace to do that this season. Considering how many injuries the 49ers have suffered across their offense and defense, he has been the only consistent cog this year. He has stayed healthy and looks like the best running back in the NFL.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. I said it the past few weeks, and I'll say it again. The Giants are 2-0 when they have a positive turnover differential. They are 0-6 when they do not. The Giants are on high alert for a 49ers defense that is elite at punching the ball out.
Matt Citak: Fact – McCaffrey's production as a receiver has returned to the level we haven't seen from the talented back since the start of his NFL career. Heading into Week 9, his 56 receptions are second in the NFL, his 559 receiving yards ranks eighth, while his 1,049 total yards from scrimmage trails Jonathan Taylor by seven yards for the league-lead. He is on pace to reach his third season with 2,000+ total yards of offense, and does not appear to be slowing down at all. Containing McCaffrey has to be the No. 1 priority on Sunday.
Brian Burns will continue his sack streak to four games.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – Burns' sack-to-pressure ratio the last three weeks has been unsustainable. According to Pro Football Focus, in his has three games, Burns has five sacks on only seven pressures. Two of those sacks have been clean-up or pursuit sacks where he does not get initial push into the backfield. Sacks are fickle and there's a chance that keeps up, but odds are he will start getting some more pressures that don't result in sacks. Abdul Carter is on the other end of this spectrum, by the way, who has 10 pressures in his last three games with no sacks. That worm should turn soon as well.
Dan Salomone: Fact – If you said "fact" that Brian Burns would have a sack heading into each of the first eight games, you would have been wrong only once. He is tied for the league lead with 10.0 overall and is on pace for the eighth individual season in NFL history of at least 21 sacks.
Matt Citak: Fact – While Burns' sack pace through the first eight weeks will likely be difficult to maintain for the whole season, I think he gets another one this weekend. Burns is going to see a lot of left tackle Trent Williams, and while the veteran tackle is still one of the best at the position, he has surrendered three sacks in the last three games, along with the highest pressure rate in a season since joining the 49ers. Whether it's Brock Purdy or Mac Jones under center, the Giants are going to need their talented D-line to get some pressure, and that starts with Burns.
Jaxson Dart will lead the Giants in rushing yards on Sunday.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – The 49ers are ninth in the NFL in EPA allowed per rush, but 20th in defensive run DVOA. They are extremely banged up all along their defensive line and are also missing the best middle linebacker in the National Football League in Fred Warner. Last week, a struggling Texans running game ran for 157 yards on the 49ers defense and helped Houston hold the ball for over 40 minutes of game time. I expect Tyrone Tracy Jr. to look like the player he was early in his rookie season and have a big day on the ground.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – Taking away Dart's scrambling is surely near the top of the 49ers' list of priorities. While it's easier said than done, Tyrone Tracy Jr. is eager to show what he can do again with a full workload.
Matt Citak: Fiction – I think he might end up making more of an impact in the pass game than on the ground, but I've got to go with Tyrone Tracy Jr. as the Giants' leading rusher this week. After Cam Skattebo's injury, the Giants are going to need to lean on Tracy for the rest of the season. They'll want to get him going in his first game as the featured back since the start of the season, and while the 49ers' run defense has been solid for most of the year, the injuries in their front seven have started to pile up.
Theo Johnson will score his fifth touchdown of the season.
John Schmeelk: Fact – I hate predicting touchdowns for players because I think there is such randomness involved in it. But given Daniel Bellinger's nagging injury from last week and the Giants leaning into multiple tight end sets, I think this is fairly likely. The Giants might also have to find a new plan in the red zone without the human battering ram, Cam Skattebo, helping push the ball into the end zone in goal to go situations. Why not Theo Johnson?
Dan Salomone: Fact – He is on pace to make some team history at the position. He already has four touchdowns with nine games to go. There have been only three tight ends in franchise history with at least eight touchdowns in a season: Aaron Thomas (nine in 1967), Joe Walton (nine in 1962), and Mark Bavaro (eight in 1987).
Matt Citak: Fiction – San Francisco has only allowed three touchdowns to tight ends this season compared to seven to wide receivers. I can see the 49ers keying in on Johnson in the red zone, which could leave other pass-catchers in more advantageous situations. Keep an eye on Wan'Dale Robinson, who has a positive matchup against rookie slot corner Upton Stout. Not only is Stout coming into this game a little banged up, but he's also surrendered seven receptions in two of the last three weeks.
