EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Let's get the pleasantries out of the way first.
Chris Borland is most certainly not Patrick Willis. Then again, no one is, so no need to make comparisons when none are needed. Because even if the diminutive rookie who was taken in the third round out of Wisconsin by the San Francisco 49ers has replaced Willis in the lineup with the seven-time Pro Bowler out for the season, Borland is not the same player.
Borland, though, does not need to be Willis, who was felled by a chronically sore left big toe. Not when he's been such a calming-yet-disruptive influence for a defense seemingly in constant transition.
"Yeah, he's been playing amazing, stepping up," Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick said. "Our defense hasn't missed a beat with him in there. He's made a lot of plays and he's someone, I think, since training camp and OTAs everyone was excited to see what he could do when he got the chance.
"And, I mean, he's taking full advantage of it."
In the 49ers' 16-10 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday, Borland racked up another 12 tackles, two for a loss, added a special teams tackle, had three passes defended and the first two interceptions of his NFL career.
The first pick, at the Giants' 44-yard line, was returned 12 yards to help set up Phil Dawson's 44-yard field goal that gave the Niners their first lead of the day at 9-7, midway through the second quarter.
Borland also became the first 49ers rookie linebacker with an interception since Jamie Winborn picked off New Orleans' Aaron Brooks on Jan. 6, 2002.
The second interception, on a Dontae Johnson tipped pass, came at the Niners' 2-yard line with 4:43 to play and the Giants facing 4th and goal from the 4-yard line.
It was Eli Manning's fifth pick of the game after coming into the weekend with six on the season.
Borland, though, credited his teammates.
"Most rookies don't have the opportunity to play behind our defensive line," he said. "It's quite an established defense.
"It's a blessing to be playing behind those guys."
In his last three games, since taking over the starting gig from Willis, Borland has a combined 47 tackles, along with the fumble recovery last week that enabled the Niners to kick the game-winning field goal in overtime at New Orleans.
And, of course, there are the aforementioned two picks in the Meadowlands.
"Amazing performance by Chris," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said.
"The standard that Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman have set for inside linebacker play is at the highst level. Chris Borland, Michael Wilhoite, they are playing great, with a capital G, and rising to that level. It is great to see."
At a generously-listed 5-feet-11, 248 pounds, Borland's 40-speed is negligible. Yet, he has a nose for the ball and good closing speed, especially on pass-catchers coming across the middle.
And with Bowman due to start practicing this coming week, according to a report by ESPN's Ed Werder, it will be interesting to see how Borland's style of play meshes with that of Bowman inside.
"I went to school in New York so I've been to New York City a few times, but not since I was young," Borland said. "There was no place like it. We were all excited taking back-to-back wins on the road. It is pretty big."
Almost as big as the littlest linebacker's contributions.