The majority of the 49ers players are the same ones who went 6-10 last year. They floundered and faltered, couldn't win on the road or in the clutch. The last time they faced the Giants -- in New York in 2008 -- the dismal performance led to Mike Nolan's midseason firing. The result of that change was two more losing seasons under Mike Singletary.

But it turns out the players weren't the problem. They needed a coach who knew what he was doing, who put them in position to win.