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)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were the two people found dead Sunday at a Los Angeles home owned by Reiner, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.

The official could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and a family member is being questioned by investigators.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said it responded to a medical aid request shortly after 3:30 p.m. and found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside.

Detectives with the Robbery Homicide Division were investigating an “apparent homicide” at Reiner’s home, said Capt. Mike Bland with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Los Angeles police have not confirmed the identities of the people found dead at the residence in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood on the city’s west side that’s home to many celebrities.

Reiner is long one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work includes some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and ’90s, including “This is Spinal Tap,” “A Few Good Men,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Princess Bride.”

His role as Meathead in the 1970s TV classic “All in the Family” alongside Carol O’Connor’s Archie Bunker catapulted him to fame.

Reiner turned 78 in March.

Messages to his representatives were not immediately returned Sunday night.

The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner has been married to photographer Michele Singer Reiner since 1989. The two met while he was directing “When Harry Met Sally” and have three children together.

Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98 and Marshall died in 2018.

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Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles contributed.

FILE - Rob Reiner arrives at the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network's Respect Awards, in Beverly Hills, Calif., Friday, Oct. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)