Here are five reasons the Niners have a good chance to beat the Saints on Saturday.
1. The Niners can get pressure on Drew Brees with their front by attacking the weak link on the Saints line – center Brian De La Puente – with Aldon Smith on stunts. Justin Smith can occupy Pro Bowl left tackle Jermon Bushrod and Pro Bowl left guard Carl Nicks and free up Aldon Smith to swing around, beat De La Puente and crash the pocket where Brees likes to step up.
2. The Niners have a good chance to neutralize the Saints x-factors on offense – Darren Sproles and Jimmy Graham – with NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis, respectively. Yes, Jimmy Graham is six inches taller than Willis, but Willis has covered taller tight ends well all season long. And if Bowman could keep Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy in front of him in Philadelphia, he can contain Darren Sproles on Candlestick’s grass.
3. A big part of the Saints’ improvement on offense comes from their ability to run the ball this year. They will not be able to do this against the Niners. They will be a one-dimensional passing team like they were last year against Seattle in the playoffs.
4. The Niners have a top-notch home red-zone defense (allowing TDs just 25 percent of the time), while the Saints scored touchdowns only seven times out of 22 chances on grass this season in the red zone. The Saints will move the ball, but the Niners defense should be able to hold them to field goals.
5. The Niners will be able to run on the Saints defense. Frank Gore is rested and presumably healthy enough. He should get 20 carries and average near five yards a pop. The Niners will control the time of possession and, most importantly, keep the snap count low for Drew Brees and the Saints high-powered offense.
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Key to the game can Patrick Willis cover Jimmy Graham ?
YES
No….
The Key to the Game is the Saints 24th Rank Defense that NOBODY is talking about. They Suck!
And the 49ers will be able to Control the Line of Scrimmage & the Clock as Grant mentioned.
The Saints may be 24th in yardage, but they are 13th in points allowed. A lot of the yards were given up in junk time during Saints blow-outs when they were trying to prevent long balls. Also, the rush defense is much tougher.
No, the key to the game is the Saints aggressive play calling on offense.
Up by 10, with 4 minutes left in the game, ball at mid field (after Detroit scored to make a 10 point game), the Saints didn’t sit on the ball, they didn’t play for a field goal. They freakin’ launched a deep ball to the endzone. TD … game over!
That’s the type of relentless press our secondary will be facing this Saturday. How our D will handle that is the real key to the game.
Biggest key to this game is the Niners’ Oline and the offense’s ability to pick up and exploit the blitz. This is an area they’ve struggled in all season long, so hopefully they’ll have spent a significant amount of time covering it in practice. If Roman has a ton of plays designed for Alex to get rid of the ball quickly and Gore can have a big game, our offense should put up a ton of points.
I went out on a limb last week and said I thought the Niner’s D would hold the Saints to under 20 – I still think they will. They’ll shut down Thomas and Sproles – Brees will be under more pressure than he’s seen all year. Willis will neutralize the middle of the field attempts to Graham and Rogers/Whitner will have at least one INT each.
Prediction: Niners 32, Saints 17
9ergirl, agree the OL needs a stellar game. GR needs to call WR and RB screens at the most opportune times during the game. If he doesn’t (expected by saints D), they get blown up and other plays get stifled.
Can’t wait…getting irritable already! lol
9erGirl/Rockstar – Can you please breakdown those 32 Niner points? FG’s, TD’s or safeties? :-)
Brees has 14 ints and 24 sacks for 2011 with a new center and right guard. In the last 9 games, however, Brees has thrown 4 ints and was sacked 6 times. While the O-line struggled early with new personnel, you are incorrect to state they have struggled to protect Brees all season long. Clearly, the Saints O-line has gotten its act together and are performing at an incredibly high level. Not to mention they are 6th in the NFL rushing the football.
correction, new Right Tackle Zack Streif (not guard). Also note, they are on their second center and that Streif was hurt for several games early in the season.
Tom…not sure where you’re going with that – I was talking about the Niners’ O-line, not the Saints’.
Crab…did I say “32″? LOL – broke your prediction rule, didn’t I :-). How about I modify it slightly and go with Niners 34, Saints 17. 4 TD’s, 2 FG’s.
You gotta be on Dope with that prediction…The saints scored more than 17 in there worst game. The ave
And how much dope among other drugs are running around in NO?
Whew!! You must be smoking some good stuff over there!!!
Saints 33 9ers 17
I would check your stash! You’re about to get edjumicated!
49ers-35, Saints 16
9erGirl/Rockstar – Thanks for the score modification! 4 more days!
@whodat… “they broke 17 in their worst game”
Help me out here, I forget. Was there worst game against the number 1 ranked Defense in the League?
Man I am gonna love watchin the game knowing Saints fans are gonna be pulling their paper sacks out of retirement after this game.
How will the Niners defend that play where Jimmy Graham lines up wide and it’s a two step quick slant? That’s a dangerous staple of both the Saints and the Packers.
I’d guess Chris Culliver matches up with Graham when he splits out wide.
they have to mix the coverage and drop a D line in the window and potentially pick an INT
Bumping at the line on those plays wouldn’t hurt.
Graham lines up wide to the right. Ahmad Brooks can jump in the way of that screen or use Aldon on that side to get his albatross wing span to deflect some of those passes.
Rodgers is lickin his chops cause he smells a pick or two in that situation be ready for the 9er D to play a hybrid Zone in that situation. Gonna man up and drop into coverage with Goldson playing Brees ugly a55 pump fake and droppin the hammer on the guy who is targeted by it. Wait an see. Goldson knows this guy and what he can do. I don’t have a single doubt in my mind that he’ll not be biting on the pump fake.
Bigger key is can the secondary not give up big yardage.
The first team defense shut down Drew when we played them during preseason. Their points came against our backups.
Grant, any word on the health of Williams, Ginn and Justin Smith? I’m sure they’ll all play but at what percent?
They say they’re fine and good to go.
Thanks Grant.
This game will probably show whether Goldson comes back next year or not. He will be the make-or-break for the secondary.
EXCELLENT point….at least until next week if we move on!
Thanks Grant. Now can you state if you think they will beat the Saints, or will we have to wait for your picks?
Picks will come early this week.
Is there also any chance Walker plays beyond the Saints game?
Grant, who do you think is the X-Factor for the Niners against the Saints?
Frank Gore. He can take the pressure off Alex Smith and keep Drew Brees off the field.
And also Vernon Davis. If the offense is going to score touchdowns, I’m betting Vernon Davis catches most if not all of them.
You have no faith in Ted Ginn? The man Cris Collinsworth called the “Key to the Season”?
I have had more fun than should be legal giving Cris crap for that.
Grant,
do you think Gore is healthy? Am I crazy or have they been extremely tight to the vest when discussing Gore’s health?
I think Gore will be close to 100 percent healthy by Saturday, yes.
I have zero faith in Ted Ginn, please just let him play special teams, he is a horrific receiver. The Niners need to hold the Saints to 21 points and we need to score 1 TD and 5 field goals to win.
Saints run defense has shut down Michael turner, Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson (when he was supposedly hot), and Legarret Blount in the second half of the 2011 season. Detroit ran the ball less than 40 yards as a team last Saturday.
@Tom
Our D shut down what…37 teams in a row with all sorts of awesome RB’s (under 100 yards rushing by 1 RB in a game) holding them under 100 until late this year. That is like 2.5 years worth of games.
You get a kick out of your little baby accomplishment though. That’s cool.
I agree. Thanks Grant.
Brian de La Puente? The name sounds familiar — a Niners practice-squad player from a few years ago under Nolan, I think.
Yes, and he went to Cal.
Nice catch Mood.
He directed some great movies too.
@Stan
That would be Brian De Palma who you thinking about. lol
i agree with this all..
Grant,
I agree with your logic and I too think the Niners can win this game.
I think the sole reason why Detroit lost to New Orleans was because of their poor tackling. I saw copious times where multiple players hit the running backs and receivers well before the first down marker but did not wrap them up as this led to huge gains.
I think the key to winning is by the offense creating long sustainable drives capped with scores, resulting in a rested and strengthened D and no mistakes on Special teams.
Doc
Doc
I don’t think you can ignore the pocket size DB had. Nobody within 3 yards of most of the game
And the dropped passes/Int’s/dropped Int’s/crappy throws from MS don’t help.
I agree with you, although for the amount of poor tackling that took place directly led to multiple drives that could have been stopped. Quite a few times I say Spivey hit the runner in the back filed or well before the first down marker and that was just it a hit with no wrap or take down. If they had tackled the game could have been easily won.
Whu is this good for the Niner D? Because they tackle.
@doc
I wrote a post during that game asking if the Lions knew they could use their arms to tackle. lol
I agree fully!! Had the Lions defense had an opportunity and let the Saints easily win this game
I’ve been reading what other posters haven stated regarding the game with N.O. especially as it relates to their defense and the blitzing expected from GWilliams. The 9ers need counter the pass rush with RB and WR screens to KH and KW – our two quickest players in those positions.
Graham has height advantage over PW. Play Grahams arms over the ball – PW needs to time grabbing Grahams arms pulling them down to ensure he doesn’t catch the ball and not try to jump to bat the ball.
Can’t wait!!
*have stated*
Two weeks to prepare, two weeks to rest and get healthy. These guys will be ready to play. I can’t freakin’ wait.
Hofe – I like your KH/KW screens idea but I’m not clear on what you’re saying about Willis pulling Graham’s arms down. I hope you’re not saying let Graham catch the ball and then pull his arms down as he’s bringing the ball to his chest. That’s not a successful way to defend a pass. You’re better off playing the ball than trying to pull on Graham’s arms. Maybe I misunderstood you?
I can’t wait until Saturday Hofe! Already ordered Sierra Nevada keg for Niner party at my house. Are you going to the game Hofe or staying home with lots of vino?
Hey Crab,
No just saying go for the arms (timing) when he’s reaching for the high pass. That’s how a shorter man defends a taller receiver (TE).
Hofe – Got it…thanks.
My goodness… the Donkeys are leading the Steelers. The Steelers settled for 2 FGs in the red zone and it’s biting them in the butt now.
One thing that scares me about the Saints is the playcalling capability of their head coach Sean Payton. He was exceptional in Dallas as their OC and he knows when to take chances downfield, and when to slow the pace on offense. I hope our coaches are ready.
I agree with you Michael Crabtree.
Twins?
http://foxboroblog.com/slanchreport/images/stories/paytonoswald.jpg
LMAO! That is actually pretty funny. They really do look alike.
BigP – I can’t stand Payton’s sun visor!
Besides female golfers, who wears those anymore?
Crab15,
http://www.fancydressball.co.uk/big_images1/80s-poker-visor-green-31706.jpg
BigP – That’s hilarious!
You’re right Crabs, we need a big game from you. Check your bank account Crabs, you have someone impersonating you! He’s also on Deons jock too!
23J – Thanks for the troll alert.
23J – I initiated that Drty 49 rookie the other day (Grant’s More Whitner post)…..don’t know if you saw that one?
Gotta watch Prime Time. The man with 6 screen names!
I missed it bro. I’ll take a look at it now.
You are are right SP is a very smart coach and this is going to be a tough game. We must stop the run to put pressure on the Saints offense.
Other stats pertinent to the game:
Drew Brees: 9 TDs 6 Ints outside on the road this season
Saints points per game outside on the road: 25.8
Total yards per game outside on the road: 463
So it looks like the Saints move the ball on the road but because of turnovers or problems in the red zone they score fewer touchdowns than they do in the friendly confines of the Superdome.
The 49ers pass defense is ranked 16th in the league in yards allowed but their passer rating against is 73.6 which is 5th in the league.
So the 49ers will probably be outgained by the Saints but should force turnovers which could decide the game in their favor.
The Saints also allow 5 yards per carry so expect a big day from Frank Gore.
Only if Frank break a few. His being rested was a requirement..the hip must really flare up. He cant be the human battering ram like Singletary made him.
My only concern is Tarrell Brown in coverage. I know our defense can apply pressure, but I see Brees attacking his side of the field all day with deep passes. Brown is the weakest link in our secondary. He’s like Clements who sucks in press coverage and gets beat on double moves
Let’s hope he gets help from Goldson and a solid pass rush.
i agree
@clip
What game has he stunk in?
I think he has improved more than anybody on the team this year..more so than AS even.
What have you been watching all year? He has only been beaten by perfect throws virtually all year. Eric Davis, a former corner has praised him many times this season as well as CR.
How is he more a liability than DG who gave up the 3 big pass plays against AZ?
I disagree with you Terrel Brown is having the best season of his career! He should be fine covering whomever they send his way.
- 40 tackles , 36 solo
- 4 INTs more than any other season
- 15 pass defense more than any other season
GO NINERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
@chicago
The refs really screwed TB this year.
The Baltimore Int which was called PI, and that PI in the endzone last week.
Yep. Brown’s been excellent.
The Broncos are pounding the Steelers.
Skip Bayless is going to have to consult a physician for having an erection lasting longer than 4 hours.
Lol!!!
lol…..wow.
I just cant believe it Steelers lose to the Denver Broncos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that was funnny i will tune in
I believe we can beat the Saints with this gameplan also, but wouldnt it be easier just to break Brees ankle like we did Clemens, I mean Im all for sportsmanship but not in this game, I would tell my team that our chance to win goes up 100% with Brees out the game….Get er done…By any means necceassary. Late hits, Dive at his Knees, A vicious helmet to helmet concussion driven hit( and as a team split the fine up 52 ways its nothing), just kill Brees and win.
Hey,I thought it was funny..fwitw.
Real Nice… So you don’t think you can win unless you “Kill Brees”? Real nice team and fans you got there in San Fran. Would like to see your best from your team and win or lose – won’t wish injury on any of the opposing team. Real funny Stan. East Bay – you sir are a sad football fan.
@mike
Are you familiar with Bill Romonowski? He played for the Niners and Raiders.
He said on TV for the Niners to take out NO’s players.
I hate the guy. If you ever played for the Niners, you pretty much have immunity with me. But not Romo. Guy is a jerk.
Grant, Can you please pass that assainate Brees message to the Defense.
Goldson please crack Colston and break his sternum we win. Oh yeah same thing goes for Sproles, one nice ass clock cleaner should do it for mighty mouse
EastBay,
You sure you’re not a Raiders fan? This is the kind of approach I’d expect from them. Sure, lots of opponents have been injured going against the Niners this season, but only in the context of clean plays. Champions play by the rules, and respect their opponents, while doing their best to beat the crap out of them…but again, within the rules. To paraphrase Harbaugh, it’s “Cruelty with Class”. It’s the way men of honor win.
If you’re in the “Just win, baby” mentality, there’s a team on the other side of the Bay just made for you. No coincidence they’re the least respected, most penalized team in the game. For some fans, it doesn’t matter. Niner fans are used to a higher standard.
Sounds more like a Buddy Ryan fan to me.
Thanks Rusty, RESPECT for you – Good luck to your team Saturday.
Geaux Saints!!!
Boy,the home field calls are atrocious in the playoffs. Another 49er break.
We just can’t rely on stunts though. Fangio has to blitz more than usual, especially up the middle in the face of Brees so he can step up in the pocket. Have to throw off the timing of that offesne. We can just just sit back like we normally do in quarters while Fangio rushes four. The way the Saints chip edge rushers, we need to show more exotic looks and we’ll have to press more. If you sit back in a zone, hoping to get pressure, Brees will just step up as their OTs push our rushers up the field and he will carve up our secondary. We will have to make Brees uncomfortable and that means we’ll have to disquise coverages and be creative with how and where we bring pressure. Zero gap blitzes, even a CB blitz to Brees blindside once or twice like we did Romo earlier in the year. Can’t just rely on the front four this game. Gotta pull out all the bells and whistles.
Bee – you is totally keerect here. This game is no time to play it safe. No guts – no glory.
Kendall Hunter also needs to step up when his number is called. If he and Frank Gore can execute, then it’s advantage Niners.
Please I need all of you 49er fans Help defending myself on the Saints fan Homepage http://www.nola.com/saints/app/343123/breaking-news—–saints-just-realize-they-lost-to-the-rams—.html I noted 5 reasons “Why we can Defeat the Saints” …Go to this webpage and help defend the niners !!
@ Jay,
Who really cares, if we whip their ass, you can give them all of the smack you want in less then a week.
It’s hard to talk smack to Saints fans with the QB we have. Can’t do it, won’t do it!!! I want winners!! Lol
Jordy with all do respect for your opinion you are starting to really bug me man with your Anti Smith comments! For just one game can you cheer for your teams QB to have the best game of his life! GO NINERS
Jordy,
I’m sure you’ll find several people willing to listen to you on that aforeseaid saints page. Go for it. I’m sick of hearing it over here.
Jordo still quoting the *worst* HC the 9ers ever had! Sad.
That quote is hilarious, went to a sporting good store yesterday and they are selling the REV shirt that quote for $ 6.00, it was originally $26 and they have a ton of them.
Chicago,
Sorry bro. I’ll keep you posted and let you know by game time. It’s tough. I just don’t believe. No disrespect to you or anyone else here. I just don’t believe.
Augusin,
If you’re tired of it. Get off the blog and stay off. It’s not gonna change until I decide to change it. Hope that helps you out.
Jordy, I believe you said you are going to the game? Why? You are a disgrace to the followers and to the faithful. What a waste!
Hofer,
Cmon man. You sound like my opinions getting the best of you. If we win this game with Smith, not another negative word about him during the playoffs Hofer.
With that being said, “We’re a QB away from a playoff win!”
Jordo, as usual you give yourself far too much credit for your mediocre comments. lol I’m a 9er fan and feel sorry for those that are so negative given the fact that the expectations this year were so low from both the analyst and the fan base. Contract on the way…
@23 Jordan, who gives a pimple on a pig’s ass, what Hoffer thinks about AS. The guy has a man crush on AS, that is fine but as fans we can be critical about our QB as much as we can. If this was New York or Chicaho, this would not be even a topic.
Neal, I’ve read your comments on LC’s blog…I don’t really care what you think. Jordo and I have known each other for a few years here, no need for your Johnny-come-lately snippets.
and when u don’t believe a fairy dies somewhere…..holds true in the real world as well
My cup o tea……Thats what I do. Im there and may bring a posse……………POSSE UP!!! LOL
I went to their website…ha, they act like rookies. After 5 SB’s (I) this team has nothing to say to them. Forget the words, let’s get it done on the field. Period!
MD,
Now even Tebow passed for 300 yards….. :p
Bay, yeah and the Steelers never looked so bad on D. Like I said earlier, if I believed in conspiracy theories, I’d think that the Steelers rolled over. How wide open were those receivers??!
Hofer,
Conspiracy theories?? Now I know why you’re an Alex Smith supporter. I’m not mad at you anymore!
Bay,
My disappointment in Smith comes from primarily one element of hi game. He does not threaten the entire football field. His inaccuracy and lack of confidence won’t allow him to do what Tebow just did. I don’t hate the man. I just don’t understand his game.
In the famous words of John Elway. I just need to see Alex Smith “Let it Go!”
Jordo, I’m an JH supporter and his QB is AS – simple as that!
@Bay……… If Tebow can do it. Smith can do it… I hope.
@Hoff….. I hope your not serious about Pitts Defense laying down.
those bronco rcvrs where damn wide open…..pitts secondary was horrendous
It’s called Yards After Catch. Tebow only completed a grand total of… wait for it… ten passes, his receivers gave him some love. Must be nice.
Dude made plays and the Broncos advanced, that’s all that really matters.
Hofer,
Royal was not wide open on his td catch. Tebow made 10 great throws. He averaged 31.6 yards a completion. Alex smith Han never done that. He never will . He doesn’t even look that far down the field. A 20 yard crossing pattern??? Never. Threaten the entire football field. Smith can’t do it. I hate that.
Hoffer, I will state my opinions and don’t give a rat ass that I am not in your little clickly group, your the one that came after me which you have done a few times. Sorry I am not going to join your Alex Smith Man crush fan group.
Neil you are not alone. There are many 49er fans in this room that would like to see an upgrade at the QB position.
Hofer generally doesn’t attack. However many of the other supporters do attack. And when you respond, they ate very good at making it look like you started the fight.
Hang around though. The list of excuses that are used to stick up for #11 are pretty comical.
Even as a non supporter I will say we need to support the whole team this week. Let’s thoroughly enjoy the game and critique after.
WHO’S GOT IT BETTER THAN US????
What’s a clickly group?
I don’t know Adam.
good piece, Grant.
any given sunday…our D, on Candlestick grass…we have some all-world players on D, and great coaches. its going to be a great matchup, and i’m cautiously optimistic.
Good points Grant, if we can hold them to 21 points we have a chance.
You’re correct Grant. These are all the same reasons that everybody was mentioning on this blog several weeks ago. I really think that if we stay focused and play our game, we can win the super bowl. We have the most complete team in the league and, despite the end of the Rams game, we’re trending upwards.
You can vote for the rookie of the year , below is the link please support Aldon Smith by voting for him. Go Niners
http://www.nfl.com/voting/rookies/2011/YEAR/0?module=HP11_content_stream_voting_pepsi
Apologies for going off-topic but can someone help me find my jaw? It fell on the floor at some point during that Denver game. I haven’t found it yet.
TY – Amongst all the typical bickering…that comment made me laugh out loud :-)
Speical Teams are going to play a huge roll in this game getting field position giving the 9ers a shorter field to drive. If the 9ers play error free ball meaning No Turn Overs and NOT letting the Saints Receivers get Behind the Defenders we have a good chance of winning this Game.
Field position will be entirely dependant on the D getting stops. Touchbacks to the 20, we do not want. The saints didn’t punt once against the lions. We’ll need them to punt several times, for sure.
i did post a blog message i picked
“denver in an upset on a wing and a prayer”
and it literally was
The 49er should have signed TO,OJ,and even Duane Thomas…only those anti christs can beat Tebow..
Really…is it religion or the NFL??!
He’s joking. geesh.
I’m not!
All 3 of you need to cool it.
??
@hof
We have one stupid fight on this blog (AS), no need to even entertain the idea of starting anything about 1 thing which has caused so many fights thru-out history.
Just let Stan say what he wants (as long as he isn’t hating on another blogger/Niners). Pat him on the head and leave at that.
DS, who anointed you site moderator. Mind you business.
She’s being politically correct now that Primtime was exposed.
Crying game? Nah, she’s just different.
Big P,
It hasn’t managed to mention anything about the guy with 6 screen names. He hasn’t used the oneniner screen name in a while either. Funny.
Bring on dem saints! Excited all year I wanted payback for preseason and now we have the chance to do it! I hope our team is ready! And we play lights out! To bad its not a night game cause the lights would prob go out haha jk xD
That is why the NFL scheduled this game at 1:30pm.
we need to get to brees early and often/every one knows the 49ers have to control the clock even the aints are thinkin that way on defense,key element a big early play to a clear davis n score ,get momentum early ,and control the clock from that point on ,keep it close ,defense stop sproles in backfeild ,and corners dont give up big plays in 2nd half give it 110 the whole game,get pass the aints and i think we can go all the way,protect alex
Can you imagine if David Acres gets hurt before the Saints game, their goes 90 % of our offense.
Neal, what was the 9ers record? Are you really a 9ers fan or are you with Stan, an across the bay fan?
Oh I see 67, I can’t be a Niner fan and also be critical, also my quote was more of humor, but it looks like you don’t have a sense of humor. No I am not a Raider fan, and go to about 3 Niner games a year. Also I have two friends that are season ticket holders for years and they are critical of AS.
Neal, you can be whatever you want to be. Just don’t agree and if you can’t take criticism, don’t dish it out! Your friends must know more than JH!
First off Neal the spelling is Akers. Secondly you never, ever give someone the kiss of death.
Andrew, lol…I really like you!
@neal
After dealing with 23J and bay for a few years, give him a break on this one. Ok?
@ Hoffer, we are talking about fans opinions and you thinking I am a Raider’s fan because I said David Acres is 90% of the offense and I am critical of AS, so you have to join your Jim Jones cult and say AS is a wonderful QB and leave it like that. Then you say that my season ticket holder fans know less the JH, stick with the topic man, are we talking about fans opinions or JH. Also I was wondering do you prefer cherry or grape kool aid?
It’s Akers, Heal.
Neal.
Neal,
It’s hard to believe that Smith can do something he has never done before. I don’t know Smithers (Hofer) for their belief in Alex. I just tell them I’m not buying it. I’m not convinced. JH has done a masterful job of saving Smiths career. Hofer believes Smith deserves a 2-3 year deal at 11mil $ per. I just don’t see Smith as a Super Bowl QB. If he manages to play well enough to beat the Saints, I’d be very surprised, based on what I’ve seen of Smith. It’s playoff time. His conservative, non threatening play will not win this game. Anything is possible. Tebow just beat the Steelers! We will know in one week.
I believe that Smith biggest problem is between his ears, and I don’t have any confidence that he can compete with Brees or Rodgers both QB’s are twice as good as he is. I am not going to join Hoffer Alex Smith man crush fan club. According to MM at Comcast, rumor has it a 8 mill over two to three years, he is not going to make more somewhere else, so why give him 11 mill, divide that 11 mill to the defense and special teams.
@ crabs, just wondering how exactly u initiated me?
Dirty 49 – Just a little ritual for new bloggers that get off to a bad start IMO.
It’s usually all in fun. You did come in here name dropping. Remember, you’re still wearing a pledge pin. :-)
Here’s what I posted a few days ago after you insulted 23J (called him an idiot twice).
Drty 49 – Welcome to the jungle. You sure you wanna do this?
Not the most classy move as a new poster, attacking a regular long-time contributor with name calling?
You remind me of that new neighbor that moves in on your street and he throws a noisy, raging, out of control keg party the FIRST night of occupancy! You know, it’s so high-schoolish that the cops come and break it up. Then your doorbell rings and it’s the cops. They ask you, “do you know the person that’s drunk, crapped his pants and is passed-out in the bush in front of your home?”
In the morning, you check your front yard and there’s trash, broken beer bottles and “stenchy” urine stains in your driveway!
Like 23J said, hopefully you’ll talk more (intelligent)football than the childish insults.
Welcome though Niner brotha. ;-)
@Crab15
I believe 23J opened it up on Drty.
I know he went after a new guy 23Jackson right off the bat after several of us warned him about being confused for being 23J.
DS – Whatever…hopefully Dirty will stay clean.
DS, mind your business. You weren’t being addressed.
Crabs,
You were correct. Drty was trying to get in the party dressed like prime time. As a matter of fact, he ,ay have been prime time. These guys don’t get it.
@Crab
“…hopefully Dirty will stay clean.”
Yes. Hopefully the vet 23J will lead by example.
Teams that win early playoff rounds tend to be flat the following week. The Saints have to travel cross country and meet a rested opponent. Through 16 games Nobody has walked over us, don’t think it’s going to happen now. I believe the 49ers have this Chi that is overwhelming. But, I’m just a die hard fan what do I know.
Andrew from R… – Last year Green Bay won wild card game @Philly then destroyed #1 seed Atlanta (48-21) the next week on the road.
@Crab15
I believe the record of both #1 seeds making it to the Super Bowl has been pathetic the last decade. I think it only happened like once or twice in 10 years.
No way Tebow can play let alone win in the NFL. Thats what they said. Now the same people are saying the 49ers can’t win against the Saints. Drew Brees this and that. Reminds me of ’84 when they said the exact same thing about Dan Marino.
oh that teebow … he is riding the wave …. what a great football story…..AS wish he could tap into that “IT” factor teebow has ….i wish he could too
JG,
It’s just the belief in himself that Tebow. He doesn’t let the doubters affect him in the least. smith has confidence issues. Sing said it, Jimmy Raye said it, Jerry Rice said it, Merton Hanks said it. JH has been perfect for Smith. He has told Smith and us all year that he believes in Smith. Smith has actually played with a bit more confidence this year. But does the head coach have to nurse his ego like that for his entire career. At what point does he take the horse by the reins?
Whatever Coach Harbaugh is doing with Smith its working and no one can deny that. If that means nursing his ego, sure, whatever it takes to get him to continue to play at a high level because make no mistake, he has played at a high level this year. You dont win 13 games by being a mirage on offense.
Howard,
You call it a high level.I call it an efficient level. Look at the top QBs in the league. They are playing at a high level. Smith has been carefull and efficient, not high. He’s a game manager Howard. They don’t play at a high level. They look both ways twice before crossing the street! Lol.
Oh please…if Smith had put up a stretch of stinkers the way Tebow did the previous 3 weeks, you guys would have lost your minds. Tebow is a guy who makes a few plays a game and if if his defense can keep him in it, they have a chance to win.
Guess why the dolphins lost the SB to the Niners, they were one-dimensional, Marino to the two marks was their only trick. Offensively the niners are much more balanced than Detroit. Niner D will not miss those tackles.
Brees>>>>Marino. …ps. I’ve been a Marino fan since childhood.
Home field advantage should be a huge reason for victory. Their receivers wont be running on carpet, they will be running on wet grass. Even if its not raining the field at Candlestick is not for speedsters.
Some good points Grant and I do think the Niners will be the Saints next week. Thanks to NFL Rewind I’ve been able to watch a few Saints games on the road outside, and as I figured, this is not the same team you saw last night in the dome. First and foremost, they feed off the home crowd which is not a factor on the road. Secondly, their up tempo speed offense doesn’t function as well in another teams stadium due to the crowd noise. I noticed many times the Saints having to call TO’s due to not being able to get the play out to everybody.
In last nights game, the Saints had a great night running the ball, but it was because Detroit was playing a two deep zone for most of the first half. This helps slow down the passing game a bit, but it leaves you vulnerable to the run. The Lions had the right idea though and went away from it and it cost them. If you flood the deep zones you take away a lot of what the Saints like to do which are crossing patterns and sluggos. These are the big plays the Saints beat teams with. If you are patient and force them to check down a few times, they get impatient and start taking more chances. Last night Brees threw 4 picks – not one of them was caught – but they were there to be had. He gives you an opportunity to take the ball away and the Niners have to capitalize on it.
Defensively, they love to blitz, but the Lions picked up most of them last night and Stafford had time to get the ball out. The Niners Oline has struggled with blitzing on the road, but not at home. I expect us to do a good job picking them up this week. Their defense really isn’t a strong unit, in fact I think we played much stronger ones a number of times this season. The key to the game will be controlling the ball and catching the passes that Brees will throw to our defenders, which he will.
This idea that we have to come out passing and beat them in a shootout is ridiculous. You can’t outscore this team. You need to cut down their possessions and take advantage of your opportunities.
I watched the game they played against the Titans and the Titans did a nice job of getting some push up the middle which throws Brees off his game. The Titans were at the 5 yard line with a 1st and goal with a few seconds left and couldn’t put it in otherwise the Saints would’ve lost their 4th game of the season.
I like the Niners chances in this game a great deal. The Saints will be tough, but the hype outweighs the substance outdoors on the road. I think the Niners win a close one. Something like 24-21.
Rocket,
Nice breakdown. Turnovers, line play and special teams. If the 49ers can win those facets of the game, they should cruise to victory.
I expect Saturday’s game to be tough and terrific. I bet NO will get some big plays. However, I don’t get all the hoopla about SF having trouble getting 35 or so points. After all, they’ve averaged 28 a game at the Stick against much tougher D’s than NO’s.
And given that SF has allowed only 11 points per game at home, let’s not assume that the Saints will be able to turn the game into a track meet.
stats are stats and they come as an after fact…..this is a game of match ups…..as the week progresses i will review these match ups in my head…. at the moment I am most concerned with the OL and the averageness of the niners WR…..i liked what denver did with moving teebow around on designed rollouts, it was highly effective ……and those damn WR and TE were just wide open…..
Yeah, don’t think TT had to worry about throwing his receivers open. Where the hell was the Steeler D? No pass rush and the DB coverage was weak at best!
@hof
I already told you.
TP of the Steelers is “the guy”.
How many times did you see somebody not named TP make a play?
He didn’t make enough plays today (and why was he near the LOS on the first OT play?). Pitt lost. Simple as that.
Hofer,
Steelers lost because they were not healthy. Ryan Clark, the brains of their defense couldn’t play. He has sickle cell, can’t play in that climate. He would’ve been the player back there on those deep balls Tebow was throwing. Keisel got hurt during the game as well as Casey Hampton. Clark plays free safety in that defense.
Troy is not the only player that makes plays in that defense. It’s obvious that DS shares that AS crush with Troy. James Harrison makes plays, Clark makes plays and their other outside lineman makes plays as well Ike Taylor had the worst game of his life. Tebow throws a great deep ball. Kinda wish Smith had that trait.
Why is it if you support a QB that has had a lot of crap thrown his way that it’s a man-crush? Following this logic, that means Harbaugh has a crush on Smith too. If supporting a team-first QB that the coach supports as well is a man-crush, then so be it. If you can’t support him, then you really aren’t a Niners fan, NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY.
I think this was sent to me, opinions are like assholes everyone has one.snooze
And if one hangs around the Cohn Zohn long enough, one will grow another. and make one a bigger a*h*.
Midwest, well said!
@Midwest: right on bro! Folks need to decide if they’re getting on board or not, because the train is leaving the station, heading east enroute to Indianapolis! Either get on now, or let us all know now who’s with the team and who’s not. There’s no room on this team for non-believers.
@AlbertS: Hilarious!
Let’s faced the facts, has Alex Smith won one game this year?. No the winners are David Akers, special teams and a great defense, and the Niners need to score one touch down and 5 or 6 field goalws to win, ofcourse it will be helpful if they can keep the Saints at 21 points or less.
@neal
Detroit. On the road against the darlings of the NFL who were undefeated. 4th down perfect pass. Had it not been thrown exactly where/when it was, the Niners lose.
Also, I don’t think JM has 20+ comeback wins if you don’t include the FG’s to win it at the end.
And both JM had JR to help. SY had the grestest player ever during his entire Niner career. Might have helped him just a smidge, don’t you agree?
Neal,
alex Smith played a part in the wins. He was the smallest factor in that but he played a part. He did something pretty incredible. He limited his turnovers. However, you cannot ignore that he is dead last in 3rd down conversions, dead last in passing yardage for full time starters and dead last in TD’s for a full time starter.
I for one am not an Alex fan, but I think that this week especially and throughout the playoffs, we need to support the guy. Lets talk about next year and reflect on this year after the playoffs are done.
I’m going to the game this week and I am going with a very positive vibe. I do however believe that this game will rest on our defensive front four. Aldon Smith, grow up young man. BEAST MODE KID….
@ BAF Well said, that is another way of putting it
@Neal,
Come on man did you NOT see the Detroit game, Philly game (comeback doesn’t happen if Alex doesn’t have a PERFECT 3rd qrt), Giants game, Steelers game, Seatle game (week 16)….Alex contributed as much as any other player. It’s a team game and he did his job, and when we needed him to go above the call, he stepped up delivered. It’s one thing to be critical of bad play, but it’s another to just hate a guy and him out for now reason. He’s one of the guys that’s lead this team to the 2nd best record in the league.
Of course he’s near the bottom in passing yards and TDs, we’ve passed the ball nearly half as much as the league leaders. At the same time our rushing game ranks way higher than the high powered passing teams. 3rd down (just like red zone) was a team thing, that has been trending upward. The problem wasn’t all on the passing game, we couldn’t pick up 3rd-&-1 running the ball. They’re many factors that contributed to those lower ranking stats, but it wasn’t because we’re playing losing football (Alex included). We’be got great balance in a lopsided league, and that’s why we’re winning and that’s why Alex is playing so well.
To me you you say your a fan you should root for your team not say well we can’t win with smith as QB hell I don’t even care for him I wish he played better but he is the QB and I hope he wins. To me he has played well enough and we can win I don’t understand how some can say they want us to win but yet say next alex smith can’t win a playoff game. There for your rooting agaisnt your own team? Haha we have some great fans haha smh
Not an opinion. A fact. Alex is part of the team and also part of the reason they are in the playoffs. If you aren’t supporting him, then how can you say you’re supporting the team? You want the team to win, yet you want Smith to fail. You only have one choice, not both. Do you want them to beat the Saints with Smith as the QB, or do you want them to lose with Smith as the QB?
I don’t want Smith to fail. I just don’t have blind faith that he will succeed. If he succeeds, it would surprise me. If he fails, it wont. So I will be at the game and rooting for my team. I just don’t see the QB leading us to the win. I’m also waiting my guy to contact me about our bet. He seems to have gotten lost.
Eagles, Lions, Giants. There games in which Smith was a key factor. In the Giants game he did not have a running game to support him.
I never thought I would say this, but thank you Bayareafanatic. Although I think the dropped passes were part of the equation. No slippery hands this week Vernon Davis.
If not Willis, Whitner will keep Graham under control. The key to the niner offense will be Crabtree and VD, as the Saints are looking to stop Frank Gore(and hunter). until Saints prove they can run against the niner base defense with 3 linemen and 4 LBs, the saints will be one dimensional and easy to defend. Aldon Smith will be key. Niner special team will win the field position battle. All I am asking is for the ground crew to water the grass extra good, so that it is muddy and soft.
Just remember, the Saints have #6 running offense. That can’t be taken for granted.
Brees/Payton is the closest I’ve seen to the Walsh offense. This is how those 49ers played the passing game (Walsh threw the ball less as he had top running backs from 1983 onward as Seifert did to until 1995).
You beat the great passer as the 49ers did with Marino in SB19. 1) You sack and hit him a LOT. You cannot give him time to pass as Detroit did. And 2) your offense has to have a KILLER day. That means the OL and Gore and especially Alex have career days, GREAT games. As consistent as Montana was in his career, he still almost always saved his absolute best for the big games and that’s what we need to see from Alex. Whatever HIS ceiling is, we need to see it on Saturday (and if we win then, then the game following as well).
If the stars align, the Niners will win this game big-time. Not even close. Just imagine how many people will have to readjust their thinking caps if the Niners win 30-13.
Fine. I’m over the top. Everyone thinks I’m crazy. And maybe I am. But there’s a little crazy in Harbaugh and the Niners in this game, too.
The Saints, who I have a ton of respect for, open the game with a drive that ends in their only touchdown of the day.
Brees gets knocked around, with five sacks on the day by Justin Smith, Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis. He feels it. It hurts. And it knocks him out of his tempo in the second quarter.
The Niners block a field goal attempt, have three picks and pull a new offensive play out of the hat that results in one of their three touchdowns. The Niners are aggressive in this game. Do or die.
A guy can dream, right? Am I ever looking forward to this game.
Toby – I like it.
Pass the Kool-Aid! I’m in!
I’m thinking picks are the best way to win this game. They have All-Pro guards and tackle on the OL, so Brees won’t get knocked around too much. They will need to force him to make bad or forced throws into coverage.
Here’s a fun fact for you, regarding the “Grass Effect”. 3 of the 4 receivers for New Orleans not only play all season on field turf, but they also come from colleges that played on field turf. Lance Moore was the only exception (LSU). Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like our field is kryptonite, but if you draft guys to play on field turf, you’re gonna have to wonder what happens when they’re not….
KW explodes for over 1 fitty……………..Book it
The 49ers will beat the Saints by placing Drew Brees flat on his back with sacks and interceptions. The more times they apply pressure and knocking him off his feet the more he will look ordinary. It will look similar to when we placed Ben Roethisberger on flat on his back a few weeks ago.
Agree. The best hope is to keep Brees uncomfortable. Problem is his line is All-pro. Their loss to the Rams happened when their right tackle position was down to 3rd string and Chris Long had a field day. Will need to penetrate that line to get Brees before he does his damage.
Booking it on KW, Niners. Aldon and Justin Smith combine for five sacks. And they won’t have to get blitz-happy either.
That was to you Ninermd, not Niners. The new Skype is just as bad as the old one.
Here’s my dream scenario:
Niners win the coin toss, take the ball first. Work their way down the field with short passes and runs for a 9 minute drive ending in a 3 yard Gore run for a TD. Saints get the ball at the 20, make a couple of first dons, stall and punt the Niners back to the 10. The Niners then go on another 8 minute drive ending in a Smith to Davis TD. The Saints then go on a six minute drive for a TD. the Niners end the half with a FG to take a 17-7 lead into half time.
Harbaugh pulls a surprise onside kick to start the second half. The Niners get the ball at the 50, and score on just two plays on a Smith to Crabtree TD. 24-7.
Now the saints bag the running game and start throwing on every down. The Niners turn Aldon and Justin loose and Brees is soon running for his life. The Niners get four sacks and two picks the rest of the way. One of the picks is returned for a TD. Kendell Hunter scores the final TD to put the game away deep into the 4th quarter. Final score: Niners 38 Saints 13.
Stat Lines: Smith 16 of 24, 210 Yards, 2 TD, O Int. Gore: 112 Yards 1 TD, Hunter 65 yards 1 TD, Crabtree 7/65 1 TD, Davis, 6 /60 1 TD.
@ rick they were 7-9…..and All is a Raider fan.
Off to the wrong start. If the Niners win the toss, guarantee you that they will defer. They have all season long. They want the ball 1st in the second half.
Read this story by Mr Eric Branch
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/01/08/tom-waddle-jim-harbaugh-and-the-missing-rolex/
This is one reason I love JH as a coach, he is truly a players coach. GO NINERS
My observations about the Saints on offense, they are strong up the middle with Nicks and Evans. Brees seems to have a clear throwing lane over center. Everything is pushed to the sides giving him that pathway. We have the best lineman in the NFL in Justin Smith, I’m sure he’ll collapse the pocket. And we have the two best inside backers in the game in Bowman and Patrick. I look for Patrick to have a defining game, a hall fame of game.
The Saints have two of the best guards in the league, so it’s not a given that one guy will collapse the pocket. Also, Willis has been invisible in the three games he has played against the Saints and that was against a running back (Reggie Bush) who wasn’t as good in this offense as Darren Sproles is.
I believe Willis broke Bush’s leg last year….if I remember…..our LB’s are beasts!!
He was injured on a punt return last year in that game.
“Frank Gore as an elite level running back.
His stats for the season? 1,200 yards with 4.3 yards per carry and 8 touchdowns. Not bad, but not exactly elite is it?
Frank Gore had 5 games with 100 yards rushing or more — all five were in a row from weeks 4 through 9 meaning Gore hasn’t topped the century mark since November 6th.
Just for some perspective that was the day AFTER the first LSU-Alabama game and Gore won’t have a chance to top it until AFTER the second LSU-Alabama game takes place.
Gore hasn’t topped 88 yards rushing since November 6th.
The teams who surrendered 100 yards or more to Gore? Philadelphia, Tampa, Detroit, Cleveland, and Washington ..
Tampa is the 32nd rush defense.
Cleveland is the 30th rush defense.
Detroit is the 23rd rush defense.
Washington is the 18th rush defense.
Philadelphia is the 16th rush defense.
All in the bottom half of the league..
The Saints have the 12th best rush defense.
Further analysis of Gore’s 5 good games.
His yards per carry average against those bad rush defenses when he went over 100 yards were 8.5, 6.3, 9.4, 4.3 and 5.6 yards per carry.
Those are very good.
The other 11 games Gore’s yards per rush averages were 2.7, 2.4, 2.5, 3.7, 2.8, 3.5, 7.2, 3.6, 3.6, and 1.3 in the finale against Seattle.
That lone 7.2 yards per carry game was 10 carries for 72 yards against St. Louis the NFL’s 31st worst rush defense. “
Tampa is the 32nd rush defense.
Cleveland is the 30th rush defense.
Detroit is the 23rd rush defense.
Washington is the 18th rush defense.
Philadelphia is the 16th rush defense.
Are they stats from the end of the year or at the time we played them? I remember Detroit being undefeated and Tampa also, I think…they might have had one loss.
My point is I think we played against these teams and added to these stats, so they were actually higher ranked at the time. Plus, if these stats are end of the year, don’t forget injuries that affect teams also.
They are the end of the year statistics but that’s not the main point. Gore has done absolutely nothing over the past 3 months and the 49ers haven’t exactly been playing top defenses over that span, certainly nothing that an “elite” running back couldn’t do better against.
@big niner
At the time, many of the haters on this site targeted that Tampa game as one that will prove if AS is any good because Tampa was a pre-season favorite and was a winning team before playing us, and shut us out last year in SF.
Niners scored 48 points. Then of course they ignored that game and just moved it onto the next big game to the next and the circle just continued.
Also note big niner that the Niners played a lot of teams who were doing quite well until we played them. After playing us, they collapsed. So, their losses and rankings fell accordingly. The final rankings as you pointed out are not the rankings they were when the Niners played them. Of course, that will be lost in time, and the STATS guys who use FACTS will look this stuff up and laugh at anybody who disagrees with them.
Both of you are focusing on the wrong part of those stats.
@Jordan
“…and the 49ers haven’t exactly been playing top defenses over that span…”
You actually had something until this.
The Niners played the two best Defenses of the regular season not named SF. Pitt and Baltimore.
They also played Seattle and AZ who were top 10 D the last half of the season. That makes 5 top defenses the last part of the season.
Where/what should I focus on to make you happier?
“…and the 49ers haven’t exactly been playing top defenses…”
How about this: We’ll show you what the #1 Defense looks like.
Jordan,
You came with factual info. I like that, and nobody here can honestly say Gore has been running well the past few weeks because he’s looked slow and injured. However, he’s had some time to rest up, and we have this other guy Kendall Hunter who is pretty good also.
One thing about the Saints you neglected to mention is that they allow an average of 5 yards a carry. They are ranked 12th soley due to the fact that teams haven’t been able to stick with the run against them because they’ve gotten behind. What you will see this weekend is a lot of rushing attempts no matter what the circumstance is. They will not get away from the running game unless they are down by 3 TD’s at some point in the second half. They stick with it and pass off of it.
Different avatar…Jordan double??
Gotta love the stat whores! Don’t know if you ever played football. But obviously you don’t know this…. It’s about will in football. Who’s going to impose their will on the other team. The saints score quickly. The 49ers are methodical. If the saints dictate the flow they will blow the 49ers out. If the 49ers dictate the game and they keep that high powered offense on the sidelines and wear down the clock and win the game even with fg’s and a td or two. This is why they are 13-3…
You can compute all the stats you want. If stats meant anything stanford would have got wiped out by ok state. Those are the same two type of teams playing this sat. You fantasy guys kill me. The only facts that matter are these
1 we have a better defense
2 you have a better offense
3 your team stinks on the road outdoors
4 we are at home and it’s outdoors.
Again….. Who’s will, will be stronger?
That’s nice, but…..it takes more than will. It takes talent. Otherwise, you’d be seeing me out there! Saints give up 5.0 yds/carry. Their Run D is less than average. They don’t give up a lot of yards on the ground cuz they score so much on offence, other teams have to abandon the run (that also inflates their ypc I admit).
I expect them to do what just about every other team does, overload against the run, and blitz.
MD, regarding your phrase about stats, if that is what you believe then why did you state in an earlier comment that KW will have 150 receiving yds against N.O.??!
MD, btw I think KW could have a big game as well!
The Saints are 12th best rush defense, but they are a top 5 rush defense the last half of the year. Probably in part to teams trying to catch up with the pass, but I’m just saying. Franklin and Ellis are loads up the middle.
@Jmcneill1961
Is that rank yards/game or yards/carry?
Seattle was 9th in total defense but 15th against the run, which is average. Arizona was 18th in total defense and 21st against the run, which is bad. So, the 49ers played the top two defenses, one average, and one in the bottom half of the league in every statistic. Those are 4 games where only two are really good reasons for Gore not playing well. What happened in the other games not played against Baltimore and Pittsburgh?
@Jordan
Seattle in Seattle is not the same team out of Seattle.
If you are a NO fan, you should know that. Add Baltimore to the list as well of teams who found that out.
And, you are still using the whole season stats. Not the recent stats the teams (Seattle and Arizona had at the start of the season).
Keep in mind that Seattle and AZ had like only 3 wins a piece between the two of them at the midpoint of the season. They finished the season near 500. So, they got a lot better. Their stats are middle of the road prove that. They were near bottom the first half of the season and near top rank in the last half of the season.
You said last half of the season. You take out Balt/Pit and that is only 6 games left.
Like all the rest of the NFL, the Niners played divisional games for much of the last half of the year. By that time, Seattle and AZ were no longer pathetic (AZ got rid of Kolb the loser who some experts on this site wanted in place of AS and Seattle…we played them in Seattle). So that is 3 more games for a total of 5/8 games.
Add to that that the Niners were the first team in the NFL to win the division, and they started saving their vets (FG in particular) for the playoffs. FG in particular did not have a lot of rushes the last half of the season. Part of that is to save him for the playoffs after they secured a spot, and part of it is to help him recover from injury.
They also played Washington on the road (east coast team which they beat) and they were actually pretty good on D this year. Then they played NY Giants who were the greatest team ever for beating the Pats. NY came here and lost. Then they shut out AZ at home (Niners D is even better at home), and on a short week and screw job by the refs/NFL, the Niners went across country on Thanksgiving and lost a close game to Baltimore. Then they came home and won the division.
“3. A big part of the Saints’ improvement on offense comes from their ability to run the ball this year. They will not be able to do this against the Niners. They will be a one-dimensional passing team like they were last year against Seattle in the playoffs.”
The first part that of this that made me chuckle is the Saints’ improvement on offense. Since 2006, the Saints have been the number 1 offense 4 times, with their lowest ranking being 6. This isn’t a one-year wonder offense and it is not solely because of the run that they are ranked 1st, although that does help. The second thing I laughed at was that all of a sudden he assumes that the Saints will simply not run on the 49ers. With two of the best guards in the league, the Saints are certainly capable of running on any team, which they have showed this year. Lastly, the reason that they were one-dimensional last year is because every other running back on the team was injured and one of the two healthy running backs (Reggie Bush) got hurt and didn’t play for the rest of the game. It is certainly possible that the running backs will get hurt during the game but coming into the game, the Saints are much healthier than they were last year so the 49ers won’t be able to count on the Saints only throwing the ball (even though if they did that, the 49ers would still be facing the best one-dimensional passing game in the league).
@Jordan
The Niners have had the best rush defense in the entire history of the NFL. They went until the end of the season to give up their first rush TD. The second best rush D had already allowed at least 6 rush TD’s.
You guys also have not faced the best DL in the league in Justin Smith. He can do everything but toot his own horn. He is backed up by the two best LB’s in the NFL (Willis and Bowman). Our Back up LB Grant is way better than anything you have in NO.
Our D won’t make the stupid mistakes that Detroit did. Take away those mistakes and add the dropped Int’s and that game is different. The Niners will make the other team play their game. Just as they did to Pitt.
Drew will also not try to force passes against a team that he knows will likely catch an interception thrown right to them. The Saints haven’t faced the 49ers defense but they have a faced the Texans and put 40 up on them and this was before Mario Williams had surgery. I really hope that you’re not trying to compare the Steelers, with a quarterback who could barely walk and an offense that is nowhere near as good, to the Saints, who run the ball much better than the Steelers and are better passing.
@Jordan
The Texans!!
They are pathetic. Losing to the Raiders at home. Enough said. I saw enough of the Texans to know that if you think that the Niners are about as good as the Texans on D, then you are in trouble. Also, where was that game played against the Texans.
And if DB does not throw it, he has to hold it. And that means he is going to meet JS/Aldon Smith (nearly beat “The Freaks” sack record)/Willis/Bowman up front and in person.
That pocket DB had against Detroit, won’t happen here. Know how DB fumbled the ball the one time Detroit pressure him…that is what the Niners do to everybody. They did it to BR of Pitt. JS/AS and McDonald picked up DB and threw him down, causing a fumble. DB will not be able to handle that for very long. The Niners will crush DB.
It is normal for the Niners to get 2 TO a game and not give one up.
That right there pretty much results in any team winning games. Rankings aside.
And if NO was all that much better than Pitt, why did they only have 1 more win than Pitt? They played a much weaker schedule (who else in their division is worth anything)?
The Texans have one of the best defense in the league along with a great offense when everyone is healthy, which they were when the Saints played them. The Saints offense has been better than everyone else’s over the past 5 years and the Steelers with an injured quarterback are nowhere near as good as the Saints on offense.
I am quite happy you think the Texans D is equal to the Niners D.
Hopefully your coach thinks so as well. And, I see you failed to mention that they played the Texans at home. I am sure that was just a slip-up on your part and not because you knew I made a point.
Also look at the Texans schedule.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Houston_Texans_season
Which awesome offense or team did they play and beat this year? Pitt stank at the start of the year, and they had Atalanta at home. I am sure it was just another slip-up.
@Jordan
Run the ball all game and check out what the score is at the end of the game.
And if NO was so good running the ball, why can’t they just do it all day? DB gets anxious, and your HC does not know who to attack in a balanced way.
I love your enthusiasm! Run, run , run the ball up the gut against the Niners all day long. We’ll do the same to you and see what the final score is.
I never said anything about running the ball all day, that is the exact opposite of the Saints offense. The Saints are the most balanced team in the league and have an offense that the 49ers haven’t gone against all year.
What does, “And if NO was so good running the ball, why can’t they just do it all day? DB gets anxious, and your HC does not know who to attack in a balanced way.” mean? That gibberish makes absolutely no sense.
LOl. “our coach doesn’t know how to attack in a balanced way.” if you only knew. Try actually watching this team before moronic comments like that.
NO is not the most balanced offense in the league.
The Niners are. They actually have ended a number of games where the total yards from pass and rush are the same.
The Niners faced Philly when Philly was all that. And beat them. They faced Baltimore in Baltimore and held them to about half the points they normally score. And that was on a short schedule and some really piss-poor ref calls.
“And if NO was so good running the ball, why can’t they just do it all day?”
This part means that if a team can run the ball all day, like you claim they can, why don’t they? Rushing the ball is still the best way to control the clock and prevent TO’s and destroy the morale of the opponent. If you can do it, there is no reason to pass. Not many teams can do it though. NO included.
“DB gets anxious,”
That means that DB wanted to throw the ball, and threw a number of poor balls after NO ran the ball. Balls which should have been Int.
“and your HC does not know who to attack in a balanced way.””
That means your HC is a jerk. He has a huge ego who wants to show off all the time. He is the opposite of JH. That stupid reasoning of him blitzing in the first game because JH did not follow his rule in the pre-season…that is going to come back and haunt them now. It also means that NO is a pass-happy team. They throw it 50 times a game (or near to it) every week. How many times (or yards) do they get per game?
To be balanced, you need to rush and pass about evenly. It keeps the other team wondering what is going to happen. The Niners of the past were very balanced team. Even though the media makes it seem as if they were not. According to the media, it was JM throwing the ball all the time. But it wasn’t. Check out JM’s numbers (especially attempts per game) and you will have a different conclusion from the EXPERTS.
@ninermd you should probably read before calling anyone’s statements “moronic”. That was a quote from a 49ers fan talking about Sean Payton.
@other guy
The Saints don’t run all the time because they can pass better than any team in the league. Once they start getting big leads, that is when their drives have more running than passing. Lol at you still whining about a preseason game. The Saints were working on their defense just like the 49ers tried (and failed) to work on their myriad of problems. Also, Sean Payton doesn’t call the defense, that is Gregg Williams. Also, lol at Jim Harbaugh not being an asshole. That guy made his living in college running up the score on teams that weren’t made up of professional athletes. If he was able to run up the score in the NFL, he would. but he won’t because the 49ers offense is pathetic. Lastly, you should probably watch the Saints play before talking about “running up the score”. A vast majority of the Saints points come in the first 3 quarters and once they get a big lead, they run out the clock. The Atlanta game was one rare time where they kept passing once the game was out of hand. If you watched the Lions game, the Saints had the ball on the 5 at the end and could’ve gotten 50 points easily but kneeled and didn’t even attempt a field goal on 4th down.
The Saints are number 6 in the league in rushing, 1st in passing, and 1st overall. They are the most balanced team in the league. They both run and pass equally well and are better on offense than every other team in the league.
Jordan….. That would make them the most balanced OFFENSIVE team. And my apologies for thinking you said that about harbaugh.
@Jordan
You have been communicating with me all morning, so you might want to remember my name.
“Lol at you still whining about a preseason game. The Saints were working on their defense just like the 49ers tried (and failed) to work on their myriad of problems. ”
I’m not whining. Quite the contrary. I am happy your ego coach did that. This Niner team has been ignored all year, and have used this to their advantage. What Sean Peyton did was provide material for the Niners. A good HC should never do that. They should never provide the opposition any more reason to want to beat your butt than the fact that they want to win.
You are kind of right about the myriad of problems statement though. lol
Which means what? That a team with a better seeding than you has a lot more room to improve in the future. You seem to imply that your team is as good as it will get this whole time. Guess what is going to happen when the Niners do improve on top of a#2 seed. Go on. I know you want too.
And Sean hired the defensive coordinator, no? So he is responsible. And if he does not have anything to add/discuss on that half of the game, then maybe he is a little over rated.
You like those rankings now don’t you?
You need to listen well now. Every single year there is a #1 team in every category. The Niners rush D did something historic. No team in the modern era came close to doing what they did. And going back to the leather helmet era, nobody did anything like what the Niner D did.
“That guy made his living in college running up the score on teams that weren’t made up of professional athletes”
You like talking yourself into a corner don’t you? JH took over a football program that won 1 game. In 4 years he developed the best QB in college in at least a decade and a college program which was considered top 10 in the nation. And that particular team he ran the score up on was USC. USC has been a team for the last decade or so who was composed of basically all NFL players. If any college in football could play against any NFL team, it would be USC. And JH kicked them from here to high heaven.
What big time game did NO win on the road this year? I am sure there are plenty. You start.
Jordan,
The Saints are hardly the most balanced team in the league. Does that mean they had 5000 yards rushing too. They will NOT run the football against the Niners. They will have to throw to win and you will see that very soon.
You should be speaking about how weak your defensive secondary is. Your run defense is actually better than your pass defense. JH should come out exploiting your weak secondary. He probably won’t but he should. If Smith wants a new deal. Here is his chance to get it. Throw early and often on the saints and get Brees to start forcing passes. He will throw picks in this game. I expect 2. You will not run the football on this Niner team.
Jordan,
The Saints offense is not the same on the road, and definitely not the same on the road, outdoors, on grass. They lost 3 games this year all on the road, two on grass, and almost lost to the Titans, also on grass. I like the fact you don’t just spout off without numbers, but the Saints team you are raving about plays under the dome in NO. The team we will see this weekend in SF are the Saints that average more than 2 TD’s less away from the dome.
The Saints are favored in this game, and truthfully they should be. They are far more experienced and have the better QB, but if you think you are going to see some of the up and down the field you are used to seeing, you are in for a rude awakening. This will be a close game and one the Niners can win if they play their style effectively.
does anyone think that goodwin can can give any insight into payto and his offensive ideas?he was on their super bowl team.i know the schemes/terminology may have changed,but wondering can he offer anything at all.
I don’t know eastcoast. But he was on TV last night and his wife is pretty.
That is my totally non-football related post for the day.
can’t agree about NO rushing game……they are just as good a rushing team as the niners are and have a prolific passing game…..niners have a stout run defense but brees can easily create situations where his short passes are like long handoffs…..NO rushed for more yards with 60 less attempts (about 4 carries difference in a game) and fewer fumbles overall in the rush game….NO had plenty of 20+ yard rushes although the niners had an equal amount ….niners did have 4 or 5 40+ yd runs but those are kind of like long passes in time management….could say if NO had dialed down their passing game a couple of thousand yards they would have the same balance the niners seemingly exhibit now….so the term balance means little in this comparison and conversation…
i do agree the niners rushing game took a siesta and only just started coming back a bit the last couple of games…..the OL was faltering once again and then regained their footing…..so in my estimation this part of the offense remains suspect going into the post season
although NO doesn’t have a cow bell RB they are very effective at spreading the work round to 4 RB who have between 80 and 120 carries apiece….balance and freshness….
so although many suggest NO isn’t balanced they are still top a top 6 rushing offense which is better than the #8 rank niner rushing offense….4.9 yds/carry vs 4.1 yds/carry……
guess i will hear about the turf vs grass equalizer…..fair enough
so again, it will be a game of matchups…..who beats whom ….
niners better have their long spikes on
as for the passing game NO has 70 plays over 20+ yds and another 11 over 40+ yds as compared to the niners 41 and 6 plays….. and this stat cuts at the weakness that is the niner’s secondary….especially between the 20 yd lines…..
what matchups here are the niners going to be able to win……
for sure the niners are not going to be able to match this on their offensive sided of the ball…….but i refuse to blame it on one person….it is the whole ball of wax that cannot match up to NO……the niners O will have to play like denver’s did yesterday but that was most definitely a miracle game for denver’s offense….
a wing and a prayer….as i called it
and this passing prowess of NO will counter the niner’s great special teams effectiveness even if the ball is downed at the 5 yard line
Wow for the first time I actually agree with Grants post.
Is it Saturday yet? Man… this is gonna be a looooong week.
#1 reason we won’t beat the saints:
Alex Smith
If you are anxious for the 4thKing to come a little early, keep it up.
He’s right, unfortunate but true. I’m a realist. No Kool aid for me. I’ve got 7-up.
#1 reason is brees is not corralled by the defense
#2 reason is the defensive secondary does a poor job of rerouting the NO rcvrs
#3 reason is special teams will be matched by the NO special teams
#4 reason is niners receiving core proves to be just average against a average NO defense….
#5 reason is AS has just his average game
the number #1 defense was eliminated already this postseason…..
via a wing and a prayer….NO offense is tons better than that denver offense….
on the other side of the LOS we have the defense……pitts #1 defense is gone on that wing and a prayer…..
the #4 niners stoutness on defense is pretty much one dimensional…..at least between the 20 yd lines…..so #24 NO defense could easily match the niner’s field goal for field goal….
the teams are about equal on stopping 3rd downs and NO is just as effective as niners are on time of possession…..
on the brightside NO doesn’t cause fumbles as much by a 30-20 margin
it will come down to coaching and schemes…….
as i have pointed out the biggest off season acquisition was this coaching staff…..niners have a team with 11 1st rounders….and if you want to remove AS as a quality 1st rounder and say he is an effective 2nd rounder fine…..just saying overall talent is sort of there…..
although the defense has been ranked highly, there have been many times on QB pressures when they have dissappeared…..this aspect of the niner’s defensive game that needs to take it to the next level…..are the coaches going to step it up and get this to the next level….cause brees is going to need to be harrassed and pummeled for there to be any chance of a niner win…..we haven’t seen many blitzes …..stunts are going to have to be prevelant and the corners are going to need to be in tight press coverage and no 6 yds off the line of scrimmage….
Bayless picks SF,the rest of ESPN’ers pick the Saints.
I can’t stand any of them.
Skip is more right then wrong.
Skip Bayless is a complete tool.
my heart says something
my head says something
defense and OL need to step it up
defense needs to figure out how to put extreme pressure on brees and still cover all his targets…..average pressure just won’t cut it
OL needs to get to the line early on the play clock and goodwin needs to get his calls out there to pick up the blitz’s and AS needs to read the 8 or 9 in the box scenarios and get the ball out to his average performing rcving targets…..
and since candlestick is not an especially loud venue…..the team needed to have a thunderstick give away to only 9r wearing fans
niners needed a megatron type rcvr ….this was the reason detroit had early success….so i don’t see the niners being able to come out put up some quick points and create a buffer….and so what if they do….NO will not panic….
6. Deion Sanders says he likes Alex Smith.
O_O
@Adam
What are your numbers for (6.)?
Are you keeping a tally on something?
Prime time = Deon sanders. Of course he loves Smith. Lol
Grant had five reasons, I gave him a number six. :P
Does Skip Bayless picking the Niners add one, or subtract one from the list for you? lol
Don’t care for Bayless, myself but I don’t watch ESPN much anyway. I’ll watch the NFL Net and CSN for the Niners report but not so much on ESPN other than MNF.
Grant, questions for the 11:00 am presser: What’s the status of Delanie Walker? What’s the plan if he can’t go? Is it safe to assume they’re going to bring someone up? Reuland perhaps?
Answerability scale: 2 (out of 10)
Second would be: With a playoff game coming in a week and with most of your players not having playoff experience, is there anything that you do differently in preparation for the game? Anything you say to the players that might be different than the things you would say during the regular season? Anything at all different bout the run up to Saturday.
Just my 2 cents ;)
Harbaugh just said he’s not ruling out Walker for Saturday.
Grant, thanks for update. What kind of football shape will DW be in?
K. Sorry… I finally had a question or two and got them in late! :P
Bayless picks SF,the rest of ESPN’ers pick the Saints.
Not true. This guy also picks the Niners.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2011/story/_/id/7440145/nfc-divisional-round-playoff-preview
The 49ers are a good team this year with greatly improved play at most positions, but you guys haven’t played anybody like the Saints this year, I know the carninals, rams, and seahawks are tough competition but the 49ers have only played like 4 or 5 teams with a winning record, and lost 2 of them. I wish your team the best of luck though and hope no one gets hurt, you can always say that you lost to the team that won the superbowl.
actually i hope there is some hurtin put on the saints receivers
If I recall correctly, the Saints are 2-1 on the road vs teams with winning records and the Niners are 2-0 at home vs wining teams.
All I’m saying is good luck and hope the 9ers enjoy watching the saints win the superbowl.
Fully understandable take on the game, but…
1. False. That’s not a blocking scheme that the Saints have ever resorted to. It will be a fierce battle up front, but Bushrod isn’t going to get help from Nicks, and they are never going to concede the middle of the line.
2. True.
3. False. You can’t have it both ways and neutralize the running game and the passing game equally. The Saints were one dimensional because they had no running backs at all.
4. True.
5. Mostly false. One of the most overlooked features of the Saints defense is nobody has been able to run inside on them this year at all. Teams had success early in the year with cutback runs, especially reversing field outside. Even that has tightened up. The key to beating the Saints is the short passing game, mixed in with the occasional shot downfield.
You can beat the Saints in the running game by getting outside with sweeps and pitches. I wish we would use Dixon more against the Saints. Their corners don’t even try and tackle, and one of their safeties is a converted cornerback. Dixon could really do some damage this game but his pass protection is just not up to par. Gotta send hunter around the corners.
@JSbish
Your 5th point is way off.
How can you allow nearly 5 yards a carry and be a good rush D?
What. Did they allow like 10 yards a carry the first 8 games and then only 2.5 yards a carry in the last half of the season? From what I saw, Detroit was able to run at them.
Reading this makes me feel more confident – as a Saints fan. While I agree that SF is going to be a good test, you’ve over simplified nearly everything on our offense and said nothing about our defense. Your players and coaches may know better, but you my friend are in for the shock of your sportscasting career.
Let’s see: first you described our center as the weak link in the Oline – De La Puente may not be headed to the pro bowl this year, but he is hardly a weak link. And that seems like the end of your attacks on Brees – that is like bringing a knife to a gun fight and assuming that you can count the gun being a revolver as a blessing. Unless you slam Drew to the ground every time, you’re in for a rude awakening. You have the number one D and you’re good, but: you haven’t played the Saints, except in preseason – you think you’ve got better from the 24-3 routing, but we didn’t sit idly by for 17 weeks either.
As for your points 2&3 – You compare Jimmy Graham to Michael Vick and say your defenders have managed people of Graham’s size easily before. Graham is tall, but Sproles, who you also dismiss, is a mere 5’6 and has the NFL all purpose yardage record. Do you really think size is the differentiator or that grass will zero out the running game completely? Also, you fail to mention Colston, Henderson, Meachem, Moore and Ivory. There are more but these are our likely men – tell me, if we put 3 or 4 on the field can you cover them all? This is an overwhelming force offensive and you will need more than two defenders with winged feet and club arms to tame them.
4- Here is some stretching; the Saints are not always great in the end zone because…. We tend to pass for 30+ yards without holding out for end zone battles. When you can throw from the 50 and score in one or two plays, you don’t worry about these stats. I hope the coaches and players for SF think like you, you’re making it easy.
5- the reason Vegas isn’t giving you better odds is precisely the fact that your entire offensive answer to the Brees machine is… To run the ball all day. While I applaud this tactic for other reasons, you aren’t going to contain Brees enough to simply run. If our run is half as effective as yours and our passing is half as effective as we’ve been, you will lose by 7 points. This is not a strategy for you.
If SF wants to win, the team must not dismiss the force headed for them next Sat. This is a cat 5 hurricane and you need a better plan than the one you’ve outlined. Jeff Duncan was kind in providing some information to you, but despite all he said, he didn’t quite depict Drew well enough.
Drew is a pleasure to watch, unless you’re his opponent. He plays with confidence, and watching him up close is an experience in the way that watching the US Marines take a target is an experience. There is no surrendering, no quitting and no tiring. We will keep coming, wave after wave, until we win or die trying. And that’s what you’re facing.
So get ready San Francisco, this is not the Seattle game.
I see you’ve met Freddy P. Soft.
He’s been a friend of most of the Niner’s opponents this year, lol!
Do you remember when Baltimore won the Super Bowl?
Everybody had this great game plan to beat their D. Then they played them and found out that you can’t just make the game plan. You need to be able to actually do what you want.
The Niners are who they are and got a 13-3 record. This despite many experts prediction of at best 6 wins. Probably like 4 wins. So, guess how much sway Vegas has.
And your defense is a complete joke. Give it up already. How many games did they allow 20 points a game this year. A quick count gives me 8 times. That is half the season.
The Niners gave up 20 or more points only 3 times. And 2 of 3 were in the first month. The Niners are a whole lot better than the Saints in the only ranking that matter: Points and TO. We are fine letting teams getting some yards on us. What game in history was ever won because of yards?
“So get ready San Francisco, this is not the Seattle game.”
By the way…SF beat Seattle in Seattle this year. Your team lost. Thanks for reminding me of that. : )
Wow if the Saints are half as full of themselves as their fans are, the Niners should win this game easily.
Well Mr. Watson, I’m glad you love watching your team, but you aren’t going to see the kind of offense you are used to under the dome. You will see a Saints offense that averages 27 points on the road vs. a Niners team that allows an average of 11 at home. You will see a Saints defense that gives up an average of 25 points a game on the road vs. a Niner offense that scores an average of 28 at home.
Those are numbers that actually mean something because they directly correllate to this game. You can go on all you want about how you blow teams out, but that is a half truth, because the Saints don’t blow teams out on the road, well unless you’re the Vikings under a dome that is. In their 7 other away games, the Saints lost 3, barely scraped by the Panthers and Falcons in 3 point games, and were within 5 yards of losing to Jake Locker and the Titans.
I think you are afraid of the truth which is, the Saints are not a great road team and are very beatable. They definitely have a chance to win this game, but all this crap you’re spewing about how this offense is unstoppable and such, is nothing but fluff because you are describing the team that plays in the dome. Not the one who plays on the road.
>>If SF wants to win, the team must not dismiss the force headed for them next Sat. This is a cat 5 hurricane and you need a better plan than the one you’ve outlined.
You’ve got that backwards. Cat 5 hurricanes are the things that DEMOLISH New Orleans. Much like the Niners Defense. Saints will be writing “send help” on the tops of their helmets before it’s over.
>>this is not the Seattle game.
But you are right about that. The Niners are no 7-9 team. And yes, the Saints DO know about surrendering, quitting and tiring in the playoffs.
@ribico
The Saints are absolute experts when it comes to backpedaling for 30 + yards being scared to try to make a tackle with the game on the line.
And the Niners are 7-1 this year at home.
Seattle last year was 5-3 at home.
Guy scared to have a name is right. Give him props.
Nobody has been able to stop the Saints all year. What makes you think the 9′ers can. You guys barely beat Detroit! We beat ‘em soundly twice!
Good Luck with your senarios!
WE will definitely not drop those 3 picks Brees will be throwing this week. This defense is something you’ve not seen this year. This is not Tampa. This is not the lions. This defense is for real and we will be shutting you clowns down. We will get to Brees. Often.
How exactly did your team lose 3 games if NOBODY stopped them all year long?
Scenarios.
OK, here’s mine: Mr. Brees meet Mr. Smith and the other Mr. Smith. Hi/Low Smith Sandwich is what I call it. Now that’s a Po Boy.
Lets recap, shall we? Romo: broken ribs. Vick: left the game injured. Dalton: helmet went flying. Clemens: still out. Stafford: crushed by Aldon Smith in the endzone for a safety.
You come here, your O-line better bring its A-game.
@Adam
You forgot about BR of Pitt. And Skelton when they were here. And that QB up in Seattle looked foolish. And the Rams guy was crap here.
At home, the Niner D completely dominates other teams.
I believe the Saints lost to the Rams and Bucs, so to say NOBODY has been able to stop them is just stupid.
@who dat,
Look at your road record and get back to me. Teams have been able to stop the Saints on the road quite often actually.
The 49ers only played 5 teams with a winning record this year and lost 1 of the 5 (Baltimore), the other teams that they played with a winning record the: Bengals, Giants, Lions, and hapless Steelers. The Steelers weren’t who we thought they were, the Giants were 9-7 along with the Bengals. Everyone else they played were 8-8 or worst. I understand that they have a good D, but against these teams who wouldn’t. The way that WE are playing I just don’t see the 49ers holding a “Candlestick” to us. HOOTY HOO, Saints win again!!
I think you need to adjust your evaluation process. It does not matter what record the team had after the season. Only when the Niners played them
TB was the darling of last year and came in with a winning record. They came in and we beat them 48-3. They never recovered.
And the Saints didn’t play anywhere near as hard as the Niners. 5 east coast games. The Niners won 4 of them. The Niners were screwed with the schedule makers having to play on Thanksgiving in Baltimore (traveling to east time zone on only 3 days rest. I don’t believe that was ever asked of any team ever before to travel east). Then after playing Pitt on Monday night, they had to play again on Saturday (that is -2 days normal rest) and beat Seattle in Seattle. That is hard thing to do, and most teams go there and find out just how hard.
The Giants were chosen to win the Super Bowl for the next decade after Manning beat Brady the week before. Then they came to SF and lost. They then continued to lose quite a few games until they barely squeaked into the playoffs in Week 16.
Do you require any further education?
you are correct sir, the 49ers only beat one team with a record better than 9-7, you beat the bucs, rams, seachickens, cardinals. That is 7 of your wins this year, you should be proud beating the bottom of the barrel. The Saints, now correct me if I’m wrong, Have the best Offense in NFL history this year, your band of ragamuffins don’t stand a chance.
@guy scared of getting a name
Those division games were a lot tougher than you think.
The division got a whole lot better the 2nd half of the season. The Niners played some tough teams in the first half of the year. Teams who had winning records or were expected to be great. At that point, the rest of the division stank.
But the 2nd half of the season, things were quite different. Both Seattle and AZ started to win a lot of games. Don’t believe me? Check it out yourself. Only the Rams stank year-round.
So, the Niners started off the season with a pretty tough schedule, and then played the division teams when they were winning lots of games. So, the whole year was pretty hard schedule wise. Add the 5 east coast games (that is ridiculous) and the lack of an off season with a new coach/new philosophy and a bunch of bad calls this year, the Niners played a pretty hard schedule. Both AZ and Seattle barely won a game the first half of the season, and finished nearly 8-8. Add to that the Niners only gave them one of those wins, and tell me again how weak those teams were WHEN the Niners played them.
WE contributed to those mediocre records son. Saints lost to the RAMS? Bottom feders in our division. You lost to Tampa. We violated Tampa Bay. If our QB has his big boy shorts on this Saturday, we will beat you by 8 points. If not, you win by a field goal. That’s what it really boils down to.
+1
You guys lost 3 games too! Did you watch our loss to GB? I’d like to see you guys play them that well! You guys haven’t seen an offense like ours!
Very Good!
You can count! Very impressive. : )
So, what seed did the Niners get? And which one did the Saints get? I’ll give you a hint. In this situation you want to have the lower number.
And you reference a week 1 game? Yeah. That means a lot. And I can’t wait to play GB. That is if they win. Besides, I thought you were a NO fan. Why bring up a team who beat you to defend how good you are?
You won’t see that same offense this weekend either. Uyoull get yards but not TDs. Better warm Kasays old leg up or is it Kaney still. Either way, he 50 years old and that leg is weak. You will not get 3 TD’s this weekend. I guarantee you that. Our defense is not having it. We will catch those 3 picks from Brees also. We need our QB to play better than he has all year. If he does, we win.
Hey Mandeville, you said you want to see us play Green Bay? Us Niners Faithful do too! Thanks for your support.
who dat,
I watched you lose to the Rams. I watched you lose to the Bucs. I watched you almost lose to Tennessee.
What’s your point?
Apparently, you don’t play on grass either. I’ve seen games where it looks like you play on mud. When are you guys going to get a real football stadium anyway? Keep dreaming of the days of Montana, Young, and Rice.
@Who dat
Chose not to acknowledge the questions in my last post. I would as well if I liked my team.
We are 7-1 at home. Losing only back in week 2 in OT vs. the good Tony Romo off some freaky off-sides plays and slips. And the Niners are a whole lot better team than they were back then anyway.
And, we are getting a new stadium in a few years. They got the loan, vote and spot already in place. Keep up with the news if you plan on bashing the team.
“Keep dreaming of the days of Montana, Young, and Rice.”
Most of us don’t need to dream it. We saw it. While you guys were the brownbag bugle corps we were winning Superbowls.
Dynasty III on the way to a city near you. ;)
At least we were in the playoffs!
At least the 9ers were in 5 Superbowls – WON THEM ALL!
Oh, when’s the last time you guys got a Super Bowl Ring?
How many did you have before? And were they back-to-back?
Which team was known whose fans came to the stadium with paper bags on their heads?
Please, come up with something better.
Dat………. Dont be foolish. Stick to the present day. You have NO shot in talking history.
Everytime I read 49er’s fans comments I see the same remarks: “they haven’t faced a defense like ours”……. When have the 49ers faced a defense like ours? …………….NOT ONCE THIS YEAR.
Do you guys have a chance to win? Of course, if your defense can manage to keep the game close. If the 49ers fall behind by 10 points, IT’S OVER!!!! You are going to face the best offense in history and you believe your “grass” will win the game???
The Saints have the best O-line in the league. It won’t be easy for the 9ers to generate enough pressure. I am hoping for a good game. However, please don’t rely on “grass” or your good defense against bad offense to win this game.
See you Saturday!!!!!! and WHO DAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What do you make of the fact that the Saints only scored 22 points in Tennessee just one month ago?
@allen maurice
Just to let you know.
The only time this year the Niners fell down by 20 points was against Eagles in Philly. The Eagles are a lot like the Saints. Lots of offensive stars, crappy D.
The Niners won that game. A 10 point deficit at home…not insurmountable.
Come again.
To rely on grass is silly. We rely on the number # 1 defense in football. Your defense is weak. You don’t stop teams, you outscore them. We will not allow you to get in the end zone more than twice. Your team will score 17-23 points this week. Book it. The question will be, will our QB exploit your weak secondary. I’m not crazy about my QB. He’s not Drew Brees. However, our coach has done a great job of game planning this year and with 2 weeks of preparation, your defense will definitely have their hands full.
The grass will be just as slippery for us as it will be for you. The key is that we are at home. All the holding penalties that your team normally gets away with at home, you won’t get those calls on the road at the Stick. We get the homer calls my friend. It’s the way of the NFL. You will turn the ball over. I guarantee it. Brees can’t help it. He throws it and we will catch it.
When have the 9ers faced an offense of this caliber????
I truly believe that experience and hunger from last year’s disappointing loss will be the x-factor. I like what the 9ers are doing but I think the Saints will pull it off.
Not here to talk trash…..just wanna know why you guys are so confident in a defense when you’re going up against the best in the business.
DREW WON’T CRACK……
what will alex do???????
We may not have the best “D” in the league like you guys, but we don’t need the #1 D to beat your offense, frankly your offense is offensive. We don’t have to stop you, you will stop yourselves. There isn’t a Defense in the league that can stop the Saints from scoring, we may turn it over 2 -3 times but its ok b/c alex smith can’t do anything with it. Sorry to end your season, but hey you can say you lost to the champs.
He’ll crack, He’ll crack just like Romo’s ribs.
@allen
The Raiders went to Miami with more big plays than any other team at that point in the season. Miami had the fewest big plays of the season at that point. The Raiders have a horrible defense. Miami has a very good defense.
What happened?
Raiders got stomped on. Miami had a ton of big plays, whopping the Raiders who did not have a single big play until the game was already well in hand.
The point: Big plays happen in large part due to the other team screwing up. The Raiders faced a lot of teams who had screwed up before, and took advantage. The Dolphins played well disciplined defense and all those big plays dried up.
And to prove it more-so… the Dolphins had a ton of big plays. Why? Not because they were suddenly good on offense, but because the Raiders D stinks and leaves guys wide open all the time.
See the Saint-Lion game. How many of those big plays happened with nobody near the WR? That is bad D. Not good offense. For the better part of the first half, the Lion D didn’t let guys run free in the secondary. And…the Saints looked quite average.
In the 2nd half, their defense lost their cool and did not follow their assignments and the Saints blasted them.
The Niners are not the Lions. They will not screw up like they did. The Niners are also a lot more talented on Defense than the Lions. So, they won’t screw up and they are just flat out better players.
Allen,
If you think your offense isnthe best, you’re wrong. The packers offense is the best. Our defense ,without question is the best. We will stop what you do well. We will make sure we will punish your receivers for catching the ball. We will make sure you feel it and trust me, you will feel it.
No, we won’t stop your offense. However, we certainly expect to inflict some pain on Brees and company. Ive had questions about our offense all season but our defense shows up at home and on the road. You will soon see why we have pro bowlers on every level on our defense. We mean business and we take care of business.
Nice research………but you haven’t faced an offense like ours. Sorry for the typo. I meant to say offense earlier.
Do yourself a favor and stop mentioning your defense without mentioning our offense.
“ball control” doesn’t work while playing catch=up.
Hey Allen Maurice, I’ve got a question for you: How have the Saints performed on the road this year? Now tell me how your great offense is going to buck their trend of barely squeaking out wins or losing to bad teams, against the best defense they will have faced this season in their house?
Allen and Who dat – If the people of California were told that a 9.0 Earthquake was guaranteed to hit throughout the state in 7 days, 90% of us would get the hell outa town!
That’s the difference between us.
we’re talking football…..I knew an idiot like yourself would eventually change the subject and talk crap about katrina……..get a life
LMAO. True DAT Crabs
Allen – Unlike the linebackers of most of your opponents, ours have speed and can tackle. Bowman & Willis have rested, fresh legs to smother that smurf Sproles. The D-line will stuff Pierre.
Also, our CB’s and safeties can actually catch the ball.
Our league leading turnover ratio is not luck.
The Niners have more of a complete team than your Saints, we’ll give you the passing “style points” but our defense & special teams will more than makeup the difference.
S.F. 27
N.O. 21
I won’t be at the game but I will look for you on tv, if you’re going Allen?
You won’t be hard to find, wearing a #3 Bobby Herbet jersey with a sun visor on!
Can ANY linebacker cover Sproles or Graham? It hasn’t been done all season and it won’t start Saturday.
When we get the lead we’ll take away that running game and send em packing. WE WILL SCORE……..7′s at that.
Your 3 pointers won’t matter. I hope you guys feel good about dominating the west……
Offense wins Lombardis….
“Can ANY linebacker cover Sproles or Graham? It hasn’t been done all season and it won’t start Saturday.”
Maybe you dont know who Patrick Willis and Navorrow Bowman are, probably the two BEST coverage middle linebackers in the league and they’re are both Niners. Now run along back to your joke of a Saints blog
@allen
You need to learn a thing or two about the Niner team.
We have the best LB core in the league. Our back up could start on your team, and be your best LB by far.
PW is the best. Has been since he arrived. The guy next to him has been called PW many times this year when the announcer can’t make out the number (52 or 53).
Back when that Titan RB was running crazy, he said after the game which they played the Niners that he thought he was about to burst a lot more big runs, only to be caught from behind.
And nobody breaks PW tackles. Many times in his career a RB/WR will catch the ball 9.99 yards when the team needed 10, and PW will make sure that guy does not move forward that 0.01 yard after the catch.
Yea I know willis……reggie bush ate his lunch last year. Can your linebackers cover our TE and RB (sproles) on an island???? Of course not. Wow, I haven’t even mentioned the wr’s yet…..It’s gonna be a long day for that defense of yours. Oh, and not to mention we have the no. 6 running game in the league.
YOU WILL HAVE TO SCORE TO WIN………
WWAD (what will alex do?????)
Just wait till Saturday you tool. Idiots like you that seek other teams blogs just to talk trash always end up looking stupid. Wont see you here after saturday, you’ll be crying and sulking in the loss
WWAD?????????????
Hey adam they’re=they are. no need to place “are” after they’re…….idiot
A saint fan passing out grammar tips. HAHAHA. What’s your saying? Who Dat? Nice grammar
@allen maurice,
What will Alex do? Well probably score at least 28 points which is what they averaged at home this year. Anything else?
>>Well probably score at least 28 points which is what they averaged at home this year.
And that was against better defenses than the Saints could ever hope to field.
“When have the 49ers faced a defense like ours?”
We just beat the Steelers. Arguably the best defense in the AFC. Monday night games are probably on a bit late back there so I can understand not seeing it. That game, we were lights out. ;)
Drew doesn’t have a high ankle sprain……..nice try.
3+3+3+3+3
Threes won’t cut it
@Allen
Who cares about BR.
The Niners blasted thru the offensive line.
And after the game, DB will find out he had parts of his body he didn’t know he had.
And AS threw 5 Ints all season while being pressured a lot more than any other playoff QB.
I saw DB make mistakes (fumble) the one time Detroit got to him. So, DB seems like the cracking kind of guy.
Last I checked, Drew Brees and Big Ben play on offense.
You asked when we’d faced a defense like yours, not an offense.
Steelers were the best AFC defense.
you beat the steelers due to an injured qb throwing up prayers……..lol. it’s funny how you guys take credit for beating a qb fresh off a high ankle sprain…….
@Allen
We scored 20 points against the best D in the AFC at home in a game where everybody said the Nienrs and AS would fall flat.
Now, is NO defense anywhere near as good as the Pit D?
Answer: Not even close
So, if we scored 20 against them at home, how many do you think we can score against your D? Is 40 so unthinkable. We got 48 against your division rivals TB.
And how many times did the Niners give up 40 points this year? How about 30? In fact the Niners never gave up more than 27 points all year. And that was only twice. We kept teams at or under 20 points 13 times!!
lights out twice
Everytime I read 49er’s fans comments I see the same remarks: “they haven’t faced a defense like ours”……. When have the 49ers faced a defense like ours? …………….NOT ONCE THIS YEAR
Ahhh Baltimore. And that was on 3 days rest and an east coast trip. Saints defense doesnt scare anybody. We probably have more turnovers forced in a month than you have all year.
I meant offense…….
We faced Detroit earlier in the year when they were beating up defenses. NYG were rolling when we beat them. Stopping good offenses isnt a problem for us. Your team playing a top tier defense on the road and on grass. IS! Lets see how this goes down. Oh and dont sleep on our offense either. We move the ball well in between the 20′s and with our good ST usually its near the 30-40…. And our redzone Offense has been scoring a little more lately. You and I havent seen nothing yet. This offense is maaaybe half way through this playbook. Watch out now!
Allen,
Fine correction. You don’t have a defense. That secondary can’t tackle. Harper hunts QBs for a reason. It’s because he can’t keep up with tight ends. Hes an old man in a kids game. Gore will smack Harper in the mouth when he blitzes. Your corners don’t tackle. We will be running right at them.
We will be running at your edges. Not up the middle because we gave you guys a pretty good castoff.(Franklin) We replaced him though, with a guy you will see on our short yardage plays at fullback.
what’s funny is you guys are trying to convince yourselves that the 49ers have a shot…..
i know what the saints are capable of doing. the 9ers have NOT seen anything close to what the saints are capable of doing……..the grass won’t save them…….mark my word………the 9ers are one and done.
@allen
Well, your team is the expert at one and done in the playoffs from last year, right?
Allen,
It sounds like you are doing the same thing son. Remember that preseason game earlier this year? We shut Brees down and the reserves came in and scored points against our reserves. The starters are playing this week my friend.
I think this game isngoing to boil down to what our offense can do against your defense. I’m not the biggest supporter of our QB but I do like our running game. Watch for Ginn outside on the reverse. Be very wary of him on special teams as well. We will get 7 from our special teams my friend.
Who needs special teams??? We don’t punt. When we get up by 10 it’s over.
And your offense????? what a joke. Double the TE and it’s over.
You won’t generate any pressure on the QB. Nobody has since week 8.
Trust me…..if the lions couldn’t mount a comeback you guys won’t……
Drew Brees is playing lights out………
Allen & Who dat – Saints were 11-12 point favorites last year vs Seattle in playoffs! Belly laugh!!!!
You lost to the WORST playoff team in the history of the NFL. Belly laugh!!!!
At 7-9, the Seahawks were the FIRST team in league history to make the playoffs with a losing record! Belly laugh!!!!……My ribs hurt now, belly laugh!!!!
7-9!!!!!!!!!!!!
@allen
When you play our D, you better have a good punter and special teams unit. You will be punting a lot more than you have all year.
That is of course if DB does not give up the ball. Niners best D in getting TO’s.
And…the Niners managed to come back against Detroit to beat them in Detroit when they were 5-0. Perfect pass from AS to a TE. Game won. Thanks for bringing up the Lions and comebacks in the same sentence there. lol
allen maurice says:
January 9, 2012 at 2:49 pm
what’s funny is you guys are trying to convince yourselves that the 49ers have a shot…..
i know what the saints are capable of doing. the 9ers have NOT seen anything close to what the saints are capable of doing……..the grass won’t save them…….mark my word………the 9ers are one and done.
**************************************************
I’m pretty sure the Niners are well aware of what the Saints are capable of seeing as though they’ve probably watched Coaches tape of every game they’ve played this year. They’ve also seen that the Saints are not nearly as prolific outside the dome, which you seem to be trying to ignore.
49ers win 28-19
Watch it happen!
38 to 24 9ers win. I will be at the game to watch it happen as i am a season ticket holder section 23. Hope the Giants win and we get teh NFC championship at home..
You guys are so easy to mess with! Here we come to get you!
Settle down there, friend. We’ll see what happens on Saturday.
You all are Colts 2.0 if Brees goes down. The Niners D eats QBs for a late afternoon snack.
I have a good feeling about this game and the 49ers are going to win 38 to 24. First, the Saints lost to two of the worst teams in Football this year on the road at Rams and Bucs. They also barely won on the road at Panthers and Titans (both of which they could have lost). I have not seen the Saints be dominate in any away win besides the Vikings which is not a good team either. I think if the crowd is loud enough it will disrupt the play calling and get the 49ers players fired-up. If the 49ers get 3 or more turnovers they win.
WHO DAT……not da 9ers!
Hey Naturallystupid,
we played two common opponents this year. The Rams and the Bucs. We destroyed both of them, and you lost to both of them. Tell you something?
You actually do not have a team. Lose Drew Brees and you are done. You are nothing without him. Our QB is the weakest part of our team. You have much more to contend with then just our QB.
Aldon Smith is going to destroy your QB. I just hope the injuries are not too bad and that he can heal in time to be our starting QB next year. Buh bye….
Take Brees out and win the game, sounds easy enough. Our D line is going to blow them/him up
One year wonder-bread!
On yer po boy?
What kind of team/city has a chant “Who Dat”? Are you guys encouraging bad grammar or what?
Easy Adam, they are too stupid to know Dat is obsolete technology.
You say cajuns are dummies? Well, I beg to differ. Anybody that would build a city 5 feet below sea level in the middle of a huge hurricane zone and fill it with democrats that can’t swim are, in my book, genius’, lol.
Got that joke the other day, but I am certain you California morons will fail to see the humor in it since your state is made up of mostly demodummiescrats.
@winner2277
And you are such a good representation of the people there.
Did the governor choose you to speak for the Saints?
Don’t even go there. Not a very good joke writer. And who in this thread said dummy or moron? You don’t help disprove such statements by not knowing how to reply to the thread using the words you claim were used.
Your team has no Offense…..Somewhat good D…..Ummm I tink u guys play the rams, hawks and cards twice a year….. 6 games against pop warner team. LMAO @ NFC west. Please “real football” haha!
Somewhat good D? You just lost all possible credibility. Try best defense in the NFL you joke. One of the best run defenses in NFL history and take a look at our TO differential. Defense full of ball hawks. Take yourself back to the blog where they cant speak proper english.
I hear your almost a decade of playoff (plaaaayofffs!!!) constipation has you irrate! Again your team plays in the NFC west ….conference of NO OFFENSE…I would hope that your team was around the top in D……now go to your coffee house and sip on (WHO) DAT!
Didnt you play one team in the NFC west this year? O yea the Rams, how did that turn out? You got SMOKEDDDDD! You criticize our division when your division is trash as well. ATL showed how good they are yesterday and CAR and TB speak for themselves. O and didnt you lose a game to TB and what exactly happened when we played them? Now its time to shut it and move along little boy. NO fans keep saying we havent faced an offense like yours but truth is you havent faced a defense like us.
The next best D against the run gave up something like 20 yards more per game.
Best (or near best) redzone D.
Top 3 in least points given up.
And most importantly, best team at getting the turnover.
What are the Saints rated in these categories?
Where is your team ranked in any offensive category…….I believe nada in the top 15. PLEASE.
8th in rushing. Maybe NO fans don’t know that 8 is in top 15. Very smart. Research before you speak
Yeah.
Look at where the Niners start their drives from (most drives in the NFL inside their opponents territory).
Also, the last 9 redzone trips, 6TD’s.
Getting a lot better. Just when it matters.
And, TO’s determine who wins games. Not yards. This holds true even with your last game.
Niners get TO’s. Rarely give them up. Niners win. Thus 13-3.
DS I believe my team finished with the same record!
Yeah.
And because your team stank against the team trying to suck for Luck, you don’t have home field.
But, at least you can count.
Now, can we progress to the ABC’s of football?
Difference between conference and division?
adam your team lost to the CARDS and excuse me COWBOYS…..and check the ledger senor citizen we have not LOST a GAME since da rams……
AZ 8-8, missed playoffs by one game. STL 2-14, two wins and one vs you. Da is not a word, it is pronounced THE
@Naturally
You have a point. You do know better than us about how if feels losing to the Rams than we do.
Please enlighten us. We had a 8 game winning streak this season. Hardly something to laugh at.
Again you play in the pee wee league conference! Nuff said monfraire!
Boy.
Your football knowledge is impressive.
Both the Niners and the Saints are in the same conference. It is called the NFC.
I’ll help you out naturally slow. We are in different divisions. And what great teams are in the NFC south?
DS- it would be more fun if we had some NO fans that were intelligent to argue with. These guys are clueless
Very good Adam707!
They don’t even know who they lose to and why.
Haha you guys are fuuny…..I guess thats what too much smog will do to you!
Football intelligence…..PLEASE!
Do yo want me to S-P-E-L-L it out for you…sorry but its called NFC WEST division….the P-E-E W-E-E league! Are you :~)
@Naturally brainiac
I was referring to your division.
Yes. I know my team’s division AND conference.
Maybe if I give you the quote again, you will understand it.
“I’ll help you out naturally slow. We are in different divisions. And what great teams are in the NFC south?”
Hence NFC South asking about your division.
After the re-allignment name a team in your division that has made the players twice….I believe none. Now you are right Im not doing a thesis on football history like you Starbucks bums…..while every team in my division has played in a SUPER BOWL. Yeah 9ers were…WERE a machine in the late 80s/ early 90s but guys come on …..FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE! Hawks only team to make it to the bowl over half shhhss…close to decade ago! Research NFC SOUTH wins vs NFC west last decade not even close. 7-9 team from your div.made the plaaaaayoffffs last and we lost to them…OK OK! But where was your team at home watching with a far worse record than 7-9!
I didnt realize TB and CAR were both so good. NFC west vs NFC south this year, 3-1 NFC west. Rams stomp NO, SF stomps TB, AZ beats CAR, ATL beats SEA by 2. For a pee wee division we smoked yours. Sorry for that.
Sure.
AZ made it to Super Bowl XLIII. Then they made the playoffs again the following year. Is that recent enough for you?
Then of course, Seattle beat your behinds last year. And you lost to the Rams this year.
Your team has problems playing the NFC West. Are you sure we are the loser division here, or it it yours?
Research NFC SOUTH wins vs NFC west last decade not even close.
Calculate please Professor!
Now that i served you, you want to bring up the past? Now shut up and move along
Maybe he thinks the Saints are still in the NFC West. :P
Wonder if he knows about the expansion teams? :O
Ok.
Last decade:
1 SB appearance by AZ
1SB appearance by Seattle
1SB appearance by Rams
(go back 11 years and it is another appearance by Rams)
That make 3 Super Bowls in 10 years.
There are 4 divisions.
So, just using simple math, every division should have 2 appearances in 10 years.
NFC west had 3.
I believe the NFC South also had 3.
Same result.
And if you go back 11 years, the NFC West is 4 appearances vs. your 3. Now you are behind.
Get real Professor……of intelligence!
Well. I am a professor and I am intelligent.
So, thank you.
Professor PLEEEEEAAASEEE join me back on the blog Saturday evening after your heart breaking loss….excuse me I have to go study my Rosetta Stone English edition.
Dont keep me waiting Sat. for the tutorial! WHO DAT….WE DAT!
I do need a computer to figure out what you are saying, so I might need to take you up on that.
The rest of the English speaking world does not speak like that.
You trying to say, “mon frere?”
Just checking.
TOUCHE!
Can you spell check that for me le con, la conasse, la chatte!
Check you out, Crawdad! You actually know some schoolyard.
Surprised you spelled it right. Probably looked it up, oui?
Mike Tyson said it best, ” Everybody have a plane before they get punched in the Face, then it all goes out the window .” Da 9ers have never seen a offence like this. Everybody keep talking bout Sporles and Graham , no mention of Colston , Henderson , Meatchium , Thomas , Ivory and Lance Moore
Alls I gots to say to WhoDat, Mandeville, NaturallyNawlins and all ya’ll’s friends at the Audubon Zoo who been aksing fer you, is “…And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my (Niner) brothers”. Get out the Zatarains and dig up your gran mawmaw’s recipe for CrowEtoufee. You gunna be needin it Sunday mawning!
“Gran mawmaw” is redundant.
Poor Poor 9er fans….filled with all of that false hope!
LOL
Can’t wait to stop by Saturday afternoon to see which coaches need to go and how Alex Smith should be run out of town….
Oh yeah….and how poorly the refs officated the game.
WHO DAT!
49rs have played 1 or 2 top 10 rushing teams this season. You held one team to right at 100 yards rushing. The Eagles were 16th against the rush. The Saints are 12th against the rush and 6th in rushing. We aren’t just a passing team. We are probably one of the best screen pass teams in the league.
The Saints are 1st in passing against 49rs 16th passing defense. The Saints played Houston who was 3rd against the pass. Drew Brees was31/44 370 yards.
Also, Alex Smith was the most sacked QB in the league this year. The Saints are 19th in sacks. Roman Harper I believe leads the NFL in SS sacks
Seattle beat us with us having absolutely no running game. Malcolm Jenkins was also out at FS So Jabari Greer had to step in. So yeah, technically Seattle beat us, and no I’m not saying any “what if’s”. But we have a three headed monster coming into town. And like I said earlier, one of the best screens in the league. And you wanna try to hurt brees? We’ll throw Ivory at you for a little headache.
You obviously forgot, or don’t know who we have roaming the middle of the field. You will know his name and number well Sat. afternoon. The question is “which player do the Niners knock out of the game this week?”
Yeah right Tinkerbell…..
You gonna be crying after the 9ers beat down on your saints just like you are gonna be crying tonight after Bama beats down on Lsu, at home no less…… SMH…..
Who cares about college ball. Not an LSU fan but nice try. Not sure why everyone making a big deal of this. We beat you on your home turf last year during regular season. 25-22 and we hardly had a running game. A broken tight end.
Oh and where did Darren Sproles come from again. What type of field is Qualcomm Stadium? Thought so.
What happened in Arizona this year? Just wondering.
Done with all those meaningless points? Hope so because the only one that matters is the Saints on the road vs. the Niners at home, and it looks nothing like this fantasy you are painting on this board. This game is not being played in the Superdome so you can forget about that Arena ball like offense you see there. Much different game will unfold in SF. Sorry to break it to you.
@jerwhite
After you discuss why your team lost to the win-less Rams.
That has more to do with this upcoming game anyway. Saints were on the road when they played the Rams. Saints will be on the road this week. Niners will be at home. Do you know that?
Ohhh. You must be asking about what happened when AZ came here?
We smoked them.
You people are living in a dream world. All of you reading this that legitimately believe in your hearts the 49ers will hold the Saints to 20 points or less, raise your hand. Now, those of you who did, go put money on the game, and bet the 49ers…not confident in that anymore? So, the RAMS can put up 28 points on the 49ers, but they’ll hold the SAINTS to 20???
The only stat that will matter for either team is turnovers. If the 49ers are not +3 or better in the TO ratio or +2 without giving up more than 2 sacks, Saints will win. Period. If 49ers accomplish +3 or +2 with only 2 sacks, 49ers will win. Period.
@Jay
Now, I will try to show you.
If I am going to fast for you, just let me know, ok?
Niners played Rams at home. Niners shut out Rams at home.
Saints will play Niners at home.
How does the Ram-Niner game in St Louis (where we won by the way and you lost) pertain to this game in SF?
You must win a lot of money betting. Period.
The only stat that matters is the SCORE. We will just have to wait for that. Period.
you 49 er fans are in for a rude awakening on saturday. this offense hasn’t been stopped by anybody particularly the last 9 games and you won’t be able to stop them now. the only way to beat the saints is to match them score for score and there is no way your offense will be able to do that. you guys are gonna wish detriot won last week against the saints. the saints are on a mission that only stops with a win in indianapolis in february. talk to me after the game……
Kelli – I heard the same thing from you Saints fans last year before the playoff game in Seattle. Then you got dismantled by the WORST playoff team in NFL History. A Seahawk team with 9 regular season losses! LOL
The Saints are 0-4 in road playoff games. ZERO wins on road in Saints playoff history…..Take DAT!
@kelli
“this offense hasn’t been stopped by anybody..”
So, you are undefeated then?
What good D has your great offense dominated?
You play Pitt?
You play Baltimore?
You play us?
Does your division have anybody who is good in defense?
Chicago stank to start the year.
NY? We beat them as well. We did you a favor in fact. After they lost to us, they went into a tailspin before playing you.
Yeah. You really toppled the best defenses.
I think this game is going to all come down to the 49ers O-Line doing well and not making any dumb mistakes like we made last year against the Saints at home. If you take away two things (the punt fumble on the sideline and the horrible interception at the 20 to Gore) 49ers win. With the playoff sound and the 49er defense better than last year, the only real threat the Saints have is Jimmy Graham since the 49ers will shut down Sproles and Thomas. I still think the final score is 34 to 27 49ers over Saints.
It sounds as if the 2 teams are basically the same. Both teams have gotten better. Both teams are completely different. It’s not even about our defense against their offense. It’s really about our offense against their defense. If our offense is ineffective, we
Can’t win this game. Period!
The niners O has scored on a lot better defenses then what NO has. To say our offense is ineffective is just plain crazy. No they didn’t put up all those Madden type stats, but they moved the ball well enough to be in every game they played this year.
I didn’t realize you guys got waxed by the Seahawks last year. And were you guys in the playoffs at all last year? Hope there’s more than mud for a field on Sunday. Too bad you guys don’t have a real football venue. Saints 31 – 9′ers 20 (and that’s if Gore has a good day)
Here we come to get you!
Happy Birthday this weekend, Grant! Enjoy your burgers!
Thanks, Scott.
Happy Birthday Grant! I hear it’s coming up this Friday. Enjoy your burgers and then a 49′er win!!!
The Key to this game is going to be the 49ers offense. They need to produce more points to stay in this game. There is no way we can win in a game like this with only field goals. This is not the BCS championship game! This is the NFL. haha. Jokes aside, we need to score TD. Our defense will hold the Saints for a good 3 quarters and MAYBE 4 but only if we can run the ball and keep the ball out of Drew’s hands, and score TD’s. We need momentum. And trust me scoring 9 points off of FG’s goes to waste after one TD from Drew Brees. LETS GO NINERS!!!
PREDICTION
49ERS 17 SAINTS 10 *FINGERSCROSS*
Let me show you guys and girls the FACTS. First of all we are going to compare your defense to our offense. You have the #1 defense against the run, but allowed 2 100 plus yard rushers in 2 of your last 3 games and also allowed 3 rushing TD’s in that period. That shows me that a crack in your armor has been established and last time I checked, we have the 6th best rushing attack in the NFL, so I do NOT believe you can shut down our rushing attack. Second of all, you have the 16th best pass defense in the NFL going against the absolute BEST passing offense in NFL history and the best overall offense in NFL history. You allowed a one legged Rothlisberger 360 plus yards passing and are now going against a QB that has only 2 interceptions in playoff games with 18 TD’s that broke the NFL’s all time passing record and numerous others. I personally think he will have his way with your secondary. Now, you do have a very good front 4 on defense, but so did the Lions and if THEY couldn’t keep constant pressure on Brees, how will your defensive front 4 accomplish it. You see, you are going against an offensive line with 3 pro bowlers on it and the other 2 could have made the pro bowl as well. Brees is the LEAST sacked QB in the NFL. Now, if you blitz him, he will really burn you because he is one of the BEST in the NFL when being blitzed. Also, our offense is 4th in the NFL for giving up the ball the least. In other words, only 3 teams have less turnovers than we have in the entire NFL. Special teams should be a wash because we both have great ones. Now, your offense against our defense. You seem to think we don’t have a good defense, but we are 12th in the NFL in points against and in our last 9 games, we may be in the top 3. We allowed only 28 points to a Lions offense under pristine conditions in a DOME. They’re QB is HEADS and TAILS better than Smith can only dream of being and last time I checked, you do NOT have a Calvin Johnson or anyone close to him. We have been very good at stopping great TE’s and as for running backs, we are 9th in the NFL at stopping the run and way better than that over the last 9 games. We stopped Michael Turner, Adrian Peterson, and Chris Johnson to name a few and last time I checked, Gore is NOT considered better than they are. I don’t see your offense being able to put up the points necessary to out duel our offense. Your team is DEFINITELY on the rise and I do like what your head coach as done with them and if by some miracle you ARE able to pull off an upset, I will be rooting for y’all the rest of the way, but just don’t feel your team, even at home, is good enough right now to defeat my Saints. I DO feel like the winner will be the next Super Bowl champions though. Come Saturday, may the BEST team win.
yep those 3 probowlers on the Oline will be the key to this game….no doubt
so the defensive scheme will have to be top notch….
you better tell them cause they don’t know!!!!!!! who dat nation sound off!!!!!!!!!!!!
who dat about to get pooped on DREW tell your man crush you have to become a cheesecrotch fan after you watch drew get man handled
i do think ur running game will be hampered with bowman, brooks, and willis and ur graham although coming on strong will be checked at the OL …..who will win the B gap…..
I really like how you all are bashing the saints..ya know the lions fans did the same thing last week and you see what happened. Please keep making negative comments and bashing the saints…we like it cause that only motivates us. Talk about our defense and how y’all plan on stopping sproles and graham…We love it!!! WE love being the under dogs!!!!!!
saints gonna get pooped on and sent back to the dirty south get ready to be a cheesecrotch fan sorry your man crush drew is going to get nut sacked several times LOL
Who,
Motivates you? What position do you play? You’ll be back to wearing bags on your heads when we knock Breez out in less than 48 hours!!
your man crush DRew is gonna get nut sacked and pooped on and sent back to NO dirty dirty
man look how about we watch the damn game on saturday and then we get on here and trash talk….Each team have it’s pros and cons…so let the best team win and then get at me cause I have some stats for you…..@DS94everXev and every other 9ers fan
who dat about to get pooped on
who dat about to get pooed on lol welcome to the WESTCOAST your dirty cajun
49ers will win the game, I am confident about my 49ers, we done very well till now and we will go for the finals, GO 49ers.
What about Colston?
Well you Aints fans should know all about playoff beatings. The 8-8 Seattle Seahawks beat the crap out of you just a year ago.
And they should know about the NFC West this year. A loss to the powerhouse 2-14 Rams means they are playing at the ‘Stick. On Grass. Outdoors. In front of rabid Niners fans. This year’s “Greatest Show on Turf” is going to meet something unheard of in this videogame league. A crushing defense.
SF 49ers. They is who dat’s going to beat dem aints.
Yeah right Tinkerbell…..
You gonna be crying after the 9ers beat down on your saints just like you are gonna be crying tonight after Bama beats down on Lsu, at home no less…… SMH…..
I quite agree Adam
How did this post get here? What happened to the other posts?
Grant, did you delete Adam’s post?
ok buddy, we’ll see, have a good one
Where is your college team @……watching on the couch. Geaux TIGERS!
Welcome to the vegetation, kids. This is what a REAL football field looks like. We don’t play on the carpet out here.
@ribico
The Rams had not won a game up to that point either having lost their first 6 games.
Crushing defense? Now tell us what offenses you have shut down this year? I can’t wait to hear this.
We do know about beatings had them for over 50 years, but not this weekend my friend, the seachickens beat the crap out of you guys last year too, right? It seems like I remember a 31-6 win for them against you. Reguardless, its a different year, differnent team, it’s not personal, just business. Better luck next year.
And the Seahawks were at home. Saints are horrible on the road losing to two of the worst teams in Football.
Ummmm….7-9
Yes they did….
They accomplished something the 9ers will not.
I guess that makes them better than the 9ers.
Try and remember something before you start with the childish remarks. We were no where NEAR full strength last year when we played that game. Our team is HEADS and TAILS better than that team. This year our RB’s are healthy and our defensive line much improved. I remember your team almost losing to them twice this year, so nothing to hang your hat on there. Hope that is NOT what you are hanging your predictions on.
Same to you. You’ll be back. No worries.
Next carpet game for us?? Indy. And we WILL paint it red!
Oh.
Your team was embarrassed big time in front of a national audience getting shut out 21-0. A prelude to what is going to happen to your ‘Aints team on Sunday.
Thanks for bringing it up.
P.S. Please stop posting here. You don’t know what you are saying or doing. For the sake of the “smart” Saints fans, you should leave. Your posts are not helping.
@whodat70816
“They accomplished something the 9ers will not.”
Lose to St. Louis in St. Louis
Lose to Seattle in their last game in Seattle.
Shall I continue?
What happened? Did we close this blog to Who Dats?
hey y’all finally get back into the swing of winning now y’all wanna talk crap!!!!! really!!!!!
As we know, anyone in the NFL can lose to anyone else on any given day. What counts at this time of year is the overall record and seeding. Yes, 9′ers are seeded higher. Obviously, that’s why we’re visiting you this weekend. However, our records are not the same anymore. We are 14-3 and just waxed the Lions for the second time. I think it will be a closer game. Saints 31 – 9′ers 20
When was we shut out 21 – 0 by anyone?
We were 5-3 this year on the road and 6-2 last year on the road and have won our last 9 games in a row with 4 of them being on the road. Your argument is moot with no merit. You have lost at home to the cowgirls and on the road to the joke cardinals. Wow, is that what you are hanging your predictions on? Very weak.
Yeah.
@Yeah. Got me there.
Last year. So do we use last year’s stuff or not?
And, this year, they played again. 48-3 Niners win.
That is how much better we are this year. Last year you barely won when we were shut out 21-0 by TB. This year we beat TB 48-3. I am sure you were trying to find a point, but ended up just proving our point more.
How good were those teams. And how well did your best unit (offense) do while on the road as opposed to at home?
Ask the same question about us. Our best unit is the defense. How does our defense play at home?
@who
You do know that the bye week results in no games played. Right? That is the whole point of having it.
You keep bringing this up, and it makes no sense. So, if the Niners had to play last week and beat Detroit and went to NO, we could say “Well we have 14 wins now. You only have 13, so now you suck, and we are better.”
No.
@winner2277
Well, now that your bring it up:
We shut out the Rams (the team you lost to this year by the way), and we beat the living snot out of TB scoring 48-3 who also beat you.
We showed the rest of the NFL had to deal with Philly and Detroit. Detroit was 5-0 when we played them in Detroit. They finished 10-6. Know what that means? After we beat them, they had a losing record from that point on. So, you beat a team who was 5-6 in their last 11. Big Whoop. Let’s Party in NO!!
Every single one.
that means the niners have already won a playoff game ….by virtue of getting the 2nd seed and got it over NO because of better conference record….
They must be a road game for y’all early next year if Indy is where you will play your next carpet game as you put it.
Doesn’t mean they won one, just had to play one less. To WIN a playoff game, you would have to had played one, meaning there was a loser in that game. So tell us, who did you beat in that playoff game?
Wow, are you REALLY going to hang your hat on that very weak argument? First of all, when we lost to Tampa, they were 4-1 and if you know anything about divisional games, you could understand that, but tell me, what happened to them the next time we played them? We destroyed them. As for the Rams, everyone has their hiccup game and yours was the cowboys and cardinals and the last game of your regular season almost was one with the RAMS. Now tell me, what was your record over the last nine weeks and how did you win those games? By the way, we spanked the Lions twice and if their offense, being WAY better than yours, couldn’t score no more than 28 in a dome, what makes you think yours will outside of one? Read my post earlier and you can comment on REALITY. Your argument is NOT reality, but if you want to look at the past, then simply look at last year when we beat you, with the same team you have now, in your stadium. with a lesser team than we now sport.
ur interpretation
The Lions offense is 1 dimensional,they have no run game at all and basically all you have to do is stop CJ.