Giants get dominated in all phases as they drop to 2-7 with a 34-24 loss to 49ers

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Brian Daboll loves to talk about playing complementary football. What his New York Giants did on Sunday was the polar opposite.

Mistakes on offense, defense and special teams doomed the Giants in a 34-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers that was not as close as the score indicated and was played in front of a crowd that sounded as if the game was being played in the Bay Area instead of the Meadowlands.

“I’ve never played in a home game that was lopsided in that department," rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart said. "But they have a big fan base.”

Theo Johnson and Wan'Dale Robinson dropped passes thrown right at them by Dart. Christian McCaffrey was left wide open for one of the easiest touchdowns of his career, and he and Brian Robinson Jr. carved through would-be tacklers all afternoon.

If that wasn't enough, Graham Gano was wide left on a field goal attempt in the final minute of the first half, and Zaire Barnes ran into returner Gunner Olszewski on a punt in the third quarter.

“We have to keep believing that we will win," Dart said. "It’s not fun to lose. We missed out on certain phases of playing complementary football. You have to win at least two of those areas, and we didn’t.”

It added up to New York's third consecutive loss to drop to 2-7 this season, with the NFL trade deadline looming Tuesday. And it came after a plane flew over the stadium that read, “Mr. Mara enough is enough — clean house," with frustration boiling within the fan base. Another wished owner John Mara well in his fight against cancer.

“Look,” Daboll said, "we’re not where we need to be.”

Adding injury to insult, starting center John Michael Schmitz, inside linebacker Darius Muasau and rookie receiver Beaux Collins all left the game. The Giants were already without their top two cornerbacks, Paulson Adebo and Cor'Dale Flott, and starting free safety Jevon Holland, and that's without mentioning the season-ending injuries to Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo.

Dart and the energy he has brought is the biggest reason for long-term optimism, and he showed flashes against San Francisco. He was 3 of 4 with a TD pass to Theo Johnson on the opening drive, and that was the high point.

The Niners scored on their first possession and rolled from there. The Giants have allowed at least 33 points in each of their past three games on this skid.

“Nothing was good enough,” said Daboll, who defended his decision to kick a field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line and causing home fans to boo. “We have to keep working on our tackling. whether it's finishing tackles or finishing catches, we have to do better.”

Dart and Daboll have worked closely together since the Giants traded back into the first round to draft the Mississippi product as their future at football's most important position. Asked about pressure for a coaching change, Dart deferred.

“I can only control what I can control,” he said. "As a team, we should be thinking the same way.”

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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, left, greets San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) and New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) meet on the field after playing in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) carries the ball for a touchdown as running back Devin Singletary (26) blocks against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks a field goal against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune (48) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

DETROIT (AP) — Claressa Shields won a lopsided unanimous decision over Franchon Crews-Dezurn to successfully defend her undisputed heavyweight championship at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday night.

Shields, fighting at home, improved to 18-0 (2 KOs), winning 100-90 on all three cards. Crews-Dezurn, who holds a super-middleweight title, fell to 10-3.

“I had to take my time tonight,” Shields said. “That's one of the toughest fights I've been in during my pro career. She hits hard these days.”

The fight was a rematch of Shields’ four-round unanimous-decision victory Nov. 19, 2016 in the pro debuts for both fighters, and hard feelings were obvious when a brawl broke out at Saturday’s weigh-in. Crews-Dezurn saw a doctor Sunday morning to check knee and ankle injuries, but was able to fight.

The emotion carried over to the first round, which saw both fighters throwing hard flurries. Shields, though, took control early with her superior hand speed.

The fighters had a lengthy face-to-face conversation after the final bell, but embraced at the end.

For Shields, it was the first bout of the $8 million, multi-fight deal she landed last month and drew a large crowd to Little Caesars Arena, the home of the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons.

The co-main event between light heavyweights Atif Olberlton (14-0) and Joseph George (13-2) was stopped after one round when George collapsed in his corner. He received treatment from paramedics, but was able to leave the ring under his own power.

On the undercard, American light-heavyweight Danielle Perkins (6-1) upset Australian Che Kenneally (5-1) with a sixth-round knockout to win the WBA light-heavyweight title.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Trainers check on Joe George Jr. after he collapsed in his corner after the first round of his light heavyweight boxing match against Atif Oberlton, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Claressa Shields, right, exchanges words with Franchon Crews-Dezurn after their Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship boxing match, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Claressa Shields, right, and Franchon Crews-Dezurn square off in the eighth round of their Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship boxing match, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Claressa Shields celebrates her win over Franchon Crews-Dezurn in their Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship boxing match, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Claressa Shields, left, and Franchon Crews-Dezurn square off in the eighth round of their Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship boxing match, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Claressa Shields enters the arena for her Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship boxing match against Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Claressa Shields, right, hits Franchon Cruz-Dezurn with a right in the first round of their Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship boxing match, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Claressa Shields enters the arena for her Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship boxing match against Franchon Cruz-Dezurn, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Claressa Shields, left, hits Franchon Cruz-Dezurn with a left in the first round of their Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship boxing match, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Trainers check on Joe George Jr. after he collapsed in his corner after the first round of his light heavyweight boxing match against Atif Oberlton, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)