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5 Notable Performances in 49ers Matchup with Giants

View the best photos from the 49ers Week 5 matchup with the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium

The San Francisco 49ers played well enough to beat the New York Giants on "Sunday Night Football." The team's best outing since Week 1, however, ended in heart-breaking fashion as a last-minute Giants touchdown gave New York a 30-27 victory.

Even in a losing effort, a number of 49ers players stood out on Sunday night. Here are the top five performances on Sunday night.

QB Colin Kaepernick

Kaepernick continued his run of impressive play in primetime contests. In the first half, the quarterback's numbers weren't gaudy, but his play was efficient and turnover free. Kaepernick completed 12-of-17 pass attempts for 118 passing while adding 23 yards on the ground in the first two quarters.

The 49ers first possession of the second half was Kaepernick's most impressive of the season. On 3rd-and-2 from the 49ers 20-yard line, Kaepernick hit Anquan Boldin up the right sideline for 37 yards into Giants territory. The quarterback dropped the throw right over Boldin's shoulder for one of his best passes of the year.

Kaepernick finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Boldin. The score marked the quarterback's first touchdown pass since Week 2.

Two drives later, the quarterback threw his second touchdown pass of game, a 14-yard strike to tight end Garrett Celek.

On the day, Kaepernick completed 23-of-35 passes for 262 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. That includes engineering a seven-play, 78-yard touchdown drive to take the lead, 27-23, with under two minutes remaining in the game.

CB Tramaine Brock

The team's top cornerback grabbed his second interception of the season on what was possibly the 49ers biggest defensive play this season. Up 13-6 nearing halftime, the Giants were driving and look poised to add at least a field goal. On a first-down play from the 49ers 14-yard line and 11 seconds left in the half, Eli Manning tossed one up towards the right corner of the end zone for Odell Beckham, Jr. Brock had blanket coverage on the play, rose up and came down with the pick.

Brock's two interceptions lead the 49ers defense in 2015.

WR Anquan Boldin

The 49ers receiver finished the game with eight catches for 107 and the touchdown described above. Boldin converted numerous clutch third downs to keep 49ers scoring drives alive. Boldin displayed the reliable hands and toughness that have made him one of the most respected receivers in the league.

One of the unsung plays of the game came on the final snap of the third quarter. Facing a 3rd-and-7 from their own 24-yard line, Kaepernick found Boldin for a 7-yard gain and a first down. That completion would lead to San Francisco's second touchdown on the pass to Celek. Boldin's eight receptions are more than the five combined catches from his last two contests. His 23 catches this season lead the team.

RB Pierre Garçon

After a slow start to the game, El Guapo finished with 93 yards on 21 carries and a the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The score came from two yards out with the 49ers trailing, 23-20, and 1:45 left on the game clock. After running for just 12 yards on eight carries in the first half, Hyde racked up 81 yards on 13 caarries in the final two quarters.

The Giants entered the game as the No. 1 running defense in the league, which makes the performance even more admirable. Hyde had to fight for every yard, breaking through tackles and even playing through a few bumps and bruises. Hyde found the end zone for the first time since Week 1 and now has three rushing touchdowns on the season. The running back also added one catch for four yards.

WR Bruce Ellington

With the 49ers offense looking to get into an early rhythm, Ellington had his number called on back-to-back plays. On the second play of the game, Kaepernick threw a quick screen to the second-year receiver to the left side of the field. Boldin, Torrey Smith and Joe Staley provided excellent blocks and Ellington took off for 30 yards. The 49ers ran the exact same play on the following snap, this time to the right side. Ellington took it for another solid gain of nine yards.

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