49ers defeat Giants to improve to 8-1

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO -- Running back Frank Gore was held without a rushing yard for the first time in 70 games. He did not touch the ball in the second half due to a knee injury.So, instead, the 49ers turned to their passing game Sunday in a 27-20 victory over the New York Giants at Candlestick Park. The 49ers improve to 8-1 on the season, while the NFC East-leading Giants fall to 6-3.Gore carried six times for zero yards in the first half, and his franchise-record streak of 100-yard games stopped at a franchise record of five games.Davis' leap: The 49ers took the lead early in the fourth quarter when Vernon Davis capped a 31-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith with a leap into the end zone while safety Kenny Phillips tried to keep him out at the goal line. The 49ers converted the two-point conversion with a Smith pass to Michael Crabtree for a 20-13 lead.Good hands man: Cornerback Carlos Rogers intercepted two Eli Manning passes for his team-leading fourth and fifth picks of the season. The second interception came in the fourth quarter. Rogers had never before recorded two interceptions in the same game. On the 49ers' first offensive play after the turnover, Kendall Hunter picked up a good block from Adam Snyder and took it 17 yards for a touchdown that gave the 49ers a 27-13 lead.Come out throwin': The 49ers came out passing, as Alex Smith attempted nine passes, compared to just two Frank Gore runs, on the first series of the game. Smith completed 6 of 9 passes for 67 yards on the opening drive, and the 49ers settled for David Akers' 36-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3 with :25 left in the first quarter.Surprise, surprise: After the 49ers pulled even at 6-6 in the second quarter, special-teams coordinator Brad Seely sprung a surprise onside kick on the Giants. Delanie Walker caught the perfectly placed Akers kick and held on after a hit from Giants special-teamer Ramses Barden. The 49ers cashed in with Akers' 39-yard field goal for a 9-6 lead late in the first half.Well-thrown interception: Smith has been difficult to interception, but the Giants got some help from Ted Ginn. Smith's perfectly thrown pass late in the first half slipped through Ginn's hands, allowing cornerback Corey Webster to record the pick. It was Smith's third interception in nine games.Run stuffers: The 49ers run defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in the last 31 games, which marks the longest active streak in the NFL. Since the start of the 2000 season, the 49ers streak without allowing a 100-yard rusher ranks fourth in the NFL.