By: Joe Lami

Tensions have been rising in the 49ers locker room after last week’s 17-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The defense made significant improvements, especially with the front seven making Aaron Rodgers feel pressure. However, the offense fell short once again and couldn’t get anything going. The 49ers schedule doesn’t get any easier after this week as they will face the Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks. This upcoming week will be the best chance for San Francisco to win in the month of October, as they travel to New York to take on the 2-2 Giants.

New York is on a two-game winning streak after a tough opening week loss to the Cowboys and a four-point loss to the Falcons in week two. Since then, they’ve won both of their games by a combined 25 points. Eli Manning has seven touchdowns through the first four weeks and will be the primary concern for the 49ers. His go-to target, Odell Beckham Jr.has 24 receptions on the year for 307 yards and two scores.

Manning has been sacked four times so far this season, making it crucial for the front seven to get the same pressure on him that they got on Rodgers. If they don’t, Manning will be able to tear up the questionable Niners’ secondary.

If the 49ers’ defense can hold up, it won’t guarantee a win, as San Francisco has one of the worst offenses in the league. They are ranked last in both points per game and passing yards per game. The only bright spot has been their running attack, averaging 130 yards per game, good enough for fifth-best in the NFL.  However, the primary ball carrier, Carlos Hyde had a terrible game against the Packers, carrying the ball eight times for 20 yards.

Head coach, Jim Tomsula still has faith in quarterback, Colin Kaepernick and might be the only one in the bay area, let alone the country to still have faith in the third-year quarterback. Kaep has thrown for 727 yards on 72 competitions, two touchdowns and five interceptions on the year. The offensive line continues to be a major concern for San Francisco as he has been sacked a total of 14 times. However, the Giants aren’t the best at getting to the Quarterback as they only have five on the year.

This week is a crucial week for the 49ers as it is already a must-win to salvage the first part of the season. If they don’t win, it doesn’t look like they’ll get another victory until November 1st in week eight at the Rams, and even that isn’t a guarantee.

Prediction: The 49ers somehow mustard up enough offense, while their defense keeps them in the game to get their second victory of the year. San Francisco 10 New York 7