Welcome everyone to the latest Saints preview where I break down every game on the schedule! This week, it’s the New Orleans Saints taking on the San Francisco 49ers.
Last Week: The Niners were off last week, while the Saints had their hands full in the Superdome with the Seattle Seahawks but squeaked out a win by the score of 25-20.
Last Meeting: The last time these two matched up it was in 2014 in the Superdome and the 49ers were able to win in overtime 27-24. The 49ers do hold the overall series lead 46-24-2.
What to Watch For:
Poor Defense vs Improving Defense: The 49ers defense has been less than stellar the last couple of seasons and this year they are currently the third worst team in the league allowing a little over 400 yards a game and their record shows just that, sitting at 1-6. On the other side, the Saints defense may not be shutting down teams, but they have been improving slowly but surely. The defense could be getting a much needed addition in their front seven with Sheldon Rankins expected to play according to Sean Payton and this could give this team even more hope to shut down a lackluster team in the Niners.
Can the Saints Put a Complete Game Together? The Saints have won some games thanks to creating opportunities and catching some big breaks (see: San Diego game). There hasn’t been a truly complete game that the Saints have played and if there’s any game that the Saints can do just that, it’s against San Francisco. This team is a far cry from the NFC Champions they were only four years ago and a complete game could do wonders for the Saints fans after most of the games were incredibly nerve-wracking because of how close the games were.
The Saints Will Win If:
The Saints will win if they can put together a complete game. The Saints have one of the most prolific offenses and are against one of the worst teams in the league who may have already put this season in the proverbial tank. The Saints can’t afford to be stagnant in this game and let a team like San Francisco get back in it.
The 49ers Will Win If:
The 49ers will be able to pull off the miracle if they can perform at the level they used to be able to perform at. I don’t like their odds, but at the end of the day the Saints have had a tendency to not show up in games that they are supposed to win.
-Clint Domingue