Nick Mullens: The quarterback of the 49ers will remain against the Giants

Nick Mullens will continue to play prime time.

On Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan told him he would remain the starter when the 49ers receive the Giants Monday night.

Mullens, 23, began his second career career after his impressive debut in front of a national audience in a 34-3 loss to the Raiders on Thursday night. He completed 16 of 22 passes for a total of 262 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His smuggling score (151.9) was the highest by a 49ers quarterback since Alex Smith (157.1) on October 29, 2012.

"It was a great experience, but we are obviously at next week," said Mullens. "In this league, a week is not a season, so we have to keep going."

Mullens, an unnamed free agent whom Shanahan called the 49ers' "secret weapon" joke last week, will not come as a surprise to the Giants. Offensive midfielder Matt Breida smiled when asked how New York could prepare differently from the Raiders.

"I think they're going to be like," Oh, shit, this guy is good, "said Breida." And they'll put a few more people to cover just because of the throws that he's made."

Mullens assumed the place of C.J. Beathard, who supported him against Oakland because he had a sprained right wrist. Last year, as a rookie, Beathard was replaced by Jimmy Garoppolo after a 1-4 record in his debut. This season he went 0-5 after Garoppolo was put away with a torn ACL.

"It's difficult … two years in a row, it's going well," Beathard said. "It's something that will make me stronger in the end, I think. I think God is testing me. I think it will make me a better person and a better quarterback in the long run. "

For his part, Mullens does not look too far ahead. And he finished thinking of a beginning that had stifled him in an interview with Fox's Erin Andrews after the game.

"It's over, really," said Mullens. "It's time to get to the giants, but it was a very cool moment, I'm trying to give it everything I've got, and when your work pays off, it's exciting." . "