The San Francisco 49ers can't forget what happened in January. They probably don't want to.
The New York Giants defeated the 49ers in the waning moments of last season's NFC Championship Game en route to a Super Bowl victory. A late fumble by Kyle Williams set up the game-winning field goal.
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"We lost a game; it wasn't our time," 49ers tight end Vernon Davis told USA Today. "I'm sure my teammates as well as myself, there's a bitter taste in our mouth because, that game, it hurt. We lost that game, and we're still thinking about it a little bit. But we can't jump out of our skin. We have to continue to stay focused."
Wide receiver Mario Manningham said the 49ers brought it up after he signed as a free agent from the Giants during the offseason.
"Players were talking about it, like, 'You got my ring on,' " Manningham said.
Coach Jim Harbaugh has publicly preached that this week is "new business." That's the necessary public stance, but the 49ers absolutely see this as an opportunity to right a wrong. The Giants know that, too.
Those lingering feelings are why this could be the most entertaining game of the week.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.