The Sports Xchange

San Francisco 49ers (1-3) at New York Giants (2-2)

Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. – TV: NBC

*TV announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya

*Keys to the game: Embattled QB Colin Kaepernick has been told by 49ers coach Jim Tomsula to stop playing tentatively after completing just 22 of 44 pass attempts with no touchdowns and five interceptions over the past two games – including a pair of pix-sixes. The root cause of Kaepernick’s struggles run deeper, however, as he has completed only six passes that have traveled at least five yards, according to ESPN Stats & Info. The lack of a vertical threat has defenses stacking the box and RB Carlos Hyde has rushed for a combined 114 yards over the past three games after his breakout 168-yard performance in the season opener. The Giants have the league’s top-ranked run defense allowing just 3.1 yards per carry, so Kaepernick is going to have to trust his reads and cut it loose.

The Giants’ offense would appear primed to come out slinging the ball vertically, with the 49ers tied for third-most in the league with 17 completions allowed of 20-plus yards and Giants QB Eli Manning 4-for-15 for 127 yards and two touchdowns when throwing 20-plus yards. But New York really wants to build on last week’s 92-yard rushing effort to continue helping set up those downfield shots. San Francisco is allowing 114.0 rushing yards per game, but has recorded 17 tackles for loss and generating negative plays will be important to getting off the field and flipping field position.

*Matchup to watch – 49ers LOLB Corey Lemonier vs. Giants RT Marshall Newhouse: The 49ers sacked Packers QB Aaron Rodgers three times last week and picked off Manning five times in the last meeting. With LB Ahmad Brooks leaving the team midweek to attend to a family matter, Lemonier and rookie Eli Harold could replace him.

*Player spotlight – 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick: Kaepernick didn’t help his cause this week by saying, “whether football is here or not, I will be fine.” It might be a benefit that he’s on the road, although he will be in the spotlight of “Sunday Night Football” and is 21 of 44 with 189 yards and has thrown three of his five interceptions on 58 drop-backs on which he has been blitzed, according to Pro Football Focus.

*Fast facts: The 49ers have been outscored by a combined 72 points (107-28) during their three-game losing streak. … Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. has 115 catches for 1,612 yards, both NFL records through the first 16 games of an NFL career.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

While these teams appear to be going in opposite directions, the 49ers still have plenty of talent to push the Giants to the end. It boils down to how Colin Kaepernick responds to a tumultuous week, and the odds are against him with the Giants boasting the league’s No. 1 run defense.

*Our pick: Giants 21-19.