The Saints and the 49ers looked to be heading into the shootout at halftime, but the defense held San Francisco to three points in the second half to get to .500 for the first time since last season.
San Francisco stopped the Saints on their opening drive forcing them to punt. After that, they were able to get the opening points with a 49 yard field goal went through the uprights by Phil Dawson.
This would be the only lead for them the entire game as the Saints responded with a march down the field that ended with Tim Hightower sliding through the defense for the touchdown.
On the next 49ers possession, Kaepernick threw an interception to Robertson which gave the Saints the ball near the redzone. Drew Brees would find Michael Thomas only five plays later with a short pass into the endzone.
San Francisco tried to turn things around, but failed to convert a 4th and 1 at the Saints 24. New Orleans would then make another march down the field that ended with Mark Ingram catching a short pass from Brees to make it 21-3.
It seemed like the Saints were beginning to run away with this one, but right on cue Vonn Bell tried to deflect a pass instead of covering Harris who would it take it to the house to cut the lead to 11 points. The Saints would respond only one offensive play later with a career long run for Ingram when he put on the jets and went 75 yards. It was also the second longest in franchise history behind Deuce Mcallister who went for 76 yards in 2003.
The first half ended fast and furious with another field goal from Dawson, followed by forcing the Saints to a three and out and connecting with the tight end McDonald for a 65 yard touchdown to make it an eight point game. As time expired in the first half, Will Lutz made it 11 points once again with a 26 yard field goal.
The Saints continued to get turnovers in the second half after a fumble near the goal line. Nothing would come of it as they would go three and out. The Niners would then get their only points in the second half with a 46-yarder from Dawson.
The Saints would put the game out of reach with an incredible catch from Michael Thomas in the endzone that bounced off a player’s back and into his hands to make it 38-23. Lutz would add to the lead with a 41-yarder with eight minutes left in the ball game.
The Saints (4-4) will return to the Superdome next week to host the defending Super Bowl champs the Denver Broncos (6-2) with kickoff set for noon.
-Clint Domingue