San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (22) is congratulated by quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–It only took ten games for head coach Kyle Shanahan to get his first victory of his NFL career, as the San Francisco 49ers finally get in the win column with a 31-21 victory.

“I didn’t think it would take this long, but you learn to savor them when you lose nine straight,” Shanahan said postgame.

Without their star wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., the New York Giants’ season has been a nightmare, as they now fall to 1-8.

The 49ers dominated the Giants early and clearly had their best performance of the season. C.J. Beathard, who was rumored not to finish the entire game if he struggled stepped up to the challenge. In his best game as a pro, he finished with three touchdowns, throwing for two and 288 yards for a 123.4 rating.

Beathard’s passing attack was capped by some highlight reel plays, including the longest score of the season where he connected on a long ball with Marquise Goodwin for an 83-yard touchdown.

Beathard also found tight end Garrett Celek on a huge 47-yard touchdown right before the end of the first half, helping re-take the lead for the 49ers with 28 seconds remaining.

The 49ers defense did a fabulous job of maintaining New York’s offense, holding them to just 35% on third down. Eli Manning still had a decent game passing, throwing for 273 yards on 28-of-37 for two scores.

The Giants kept the game close in the first half and even took the lead with 2:08 remaining in the second quarter when Manning found Evan Engram for nine yards. However, the Niners were able to march down and answer with Celek’s touchdown.

After no scoring in the third quarter, Beathard found the end zone for the third time in the fourth quarter on a scramble bootleg from 11 yards out, which finished with him diving over the goal line for the score giving San Francisco a 24-13 lead.

The Niners were able to add another one on Matt Breida’s first career touchdown from 33 yards out that featured a great first cut giving them a 31-13 lead.

New York made the game a little more respectful, scoring a garbage time touchdown, as Manning tossed his second of the day to Roger Lewis Jr. from 14 yards out.

After giving up 16 quarterback hits last week against the Cardinals, the 49ers offensive line was a lot more stable on Sunday, only allowing two. The return of left tackle, Joe Staley had a lot to do with it, as he strengthened a weakened front.

Shanahan revealed to the media that Staley informed him on Tuesday that he was ready to go, exciting the head coach.

The win feels good for everyone, but especially for Staley, “I’ve been part of a lot of wins here. This one felt as good as winning the NFC Championship”.

The 49ers go into their bye with a win in the books and look to use the off week for getting healthy and away from Santa Clara. However, not everyone will have the week completely off. Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to stay in Santa Clara and work with coaches and use the time to get more formulated with the 49ers offense.

He was expected to start in week 12 against the Seahawks, but Shanahan put those rumors to rest for now and wants to give Garoppolo the next two weeks before he announces the starter for the Seahawks game.