Giants Q&A: Big Blue expects a rematch

Will the Giants face the 49ers again this season?

They're not on the regular-season schedule, but Brandon Jacobs seemed to be very certain that the two teams will meet in the playoffs. "We're going to see the San Francisco 49ers again," the running back proclaimed after yesterday's 27-20 loss. Even the usually docile Hakeem Nicks hinted that he's expecting a second crack at them. "They pulled it out this time," Nicks said, with a clear suggestion that there will be a next time.

The 49ers are 8-1, the second-best record in the NFC. A rematch likely would take place back here in California, right?

Jacobs didn't seem to care. "We just came out here," he said. "As long as we have jet fuel, we'll come out here."

Aren't the 49ers a running team?

They were. All week long, the Giants talked about stopping Frank Gore and trying to force Alex Smith to beat them. Well, he did. Gore had six carries for zero net yards, all in the first half before he left with a knee injury. Smith, meanwhile, was eager to show that he's not just a game manager, as the Giants derisively called him last week. "I managed myself into a victory," he said. "That's all I care about."

Nicks and Mario Manningham played even though they were listed as questionable with injuries. Was there ever any doubt?

Not for Nicks, who was nursing a hamstring injury. He said he got the green light to play Saturday and felt fine once he was warmed up. Manningham was a late addition to the injury report with a knee that swelled up on him. He said he was never worried about not playing.

What happened on the onside kick?

Spencer Paysinger, Jacquian Williams and Ramses Barden were on that side and it looked as if Paysinger was the one who did not recover in time to make the play. "He doesn't give it away," Paysinger said of kicker David Akers. "Usually onside kicks, you can tell by their alignment or how he approaches the ball. His whole approach to the ball is just like a deep kick."

Didn't Akers handle the onside kick late in the fourth for the Eagles during the collapse game last season?

Oh, yeah, that's right. Good remembering.

Why did the Giants use D.J. Ware so much late in the game?

Tom Coughlin said it was because they went with a lot of three-receiver sets as they were coming from behind, and Ware usually is in there for third downs anyway. He finished with 34 yards on nine carries, all but one of them in the second half. "Guys showed a lot of confidence in me," Ware said. "It shows a lot of trust and faith in me and you try to go out there and be productive."

Why was Ware's leg wrapped up late in the game?

It was more a wardrobe malfunction than an injury. Ware had his thigh pad ripped off his pants so he had to have it taped to his leg.