It can never be too early to discuss who will face the San Francisco 49ers in the team’s second year under Jim Harbaugh. Throughout the offseason, we’ll take a team-by-team look at the 49ers’ 2012 opponents and the storylines for each team. Up next are the New York Giants, who are scheduled to visit the 49ers in an NFC Championship rematch. View the 2012 schedule.
Team: New York Giants
When: Week 6 (Oct. 14)
2011 Record: 9-7 (5-3 Road)
All-Time Series: 18-18
2011 Recap: The 49ers and New York Giants rekindled a decades-old rivalry last season, splitting a pair of bruising contests that featured two of the NFL’s best all-around teams. Only the Giants won the game that mattered most – the NFC Championship at Candlestick Park – in a 20-17 overtime thriller en route to winning Super Bowl XLVI. San Francisco veterans like 
2012 Outlook: The Giants return the core of their championship team of a year ago but have also lost some key pieces this offseason. Manningham and Jacobs have already showed their loyalty to the 2012 49ers by continuing to work in the team’s offseason program instead of going back to the East Coast to receive their championship rings and visit the White House with their old teammates. The Giants, meanwhile, added a couple of young and talented players to their offense by drafting Virginia Tech running back David Wilson and Louisiana State receiver Rueben Randle. Aside from Manningham and Jacobs, the Giants also parted ways with cornerback Aaron Ross, who signed a three-year deal with Jacksonville, and tight end Jake Ballard, who was recently claimed off waivers by New England after the Giants cut him due to a failed physical. New York will look internally for improvement in 2012, with players like former Cal Poly star receiver Ramses Barden, former 49ers draftee tight end Bear Pascoe and cornerback Terrell Thomas each expected to have greater roles. Coughlin enters the season looking to become the fourth coach in NFL history to win at least three Super Bowls, joining the elite company of Chuck Noll (4), Bill Walsh (3), Bill Belichick (3) and Joe Gibbs (3).
Three to Watch
QB Eli Manning: Like his coach, Manning will attempt to join rarefied air and be the fourth quarterback with at least three Super Bowl victories along with Joe Montana (4-0), Terry Bradshaw (4-0), Troy Aikman (3-0) and Tom Brady (3-2). The 31-year-old threw for a career-high 4,933 yards – breaking his personal record by more than 900 yards – to go along with 29 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
DE Jason Pierre-Paul: JPP became a first team All-Pro in just his second year in the league after racking up 16.5 sacks and becoming a spark plug for the New York’s vaunted defensive line. The University of South Florida product is listed at 6-foot-5, 278 pounds and had a productive NFC Championship game, tallying six tackles including a half-sack.
WR Victor Cruz: The small, shifty wideout gave opposing defenses headaches out of the slot position in 2011, setting a Giants franchise record with 1,536 yards in his first full season of action. Cruz went undrafted out of the University of Massachusets but made an impression during the 2011 preseason before ultimately carving out a starting role.
2012 Opponents
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Season tickets for the 2012 season are officially sold out. Click here to join the priority wait list.
