Frank The Rat
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This week we get to play the team we all used to love to hate, almost as much as the Falcons, if not the same. Personally I still think we owe them for years of tormant during the Montana/Young years. I took a closer look at the matchup.
Saints Offense(1st in Total Offense) vs. 49ers Defense(20th in Total Defense)
the key to this game again like many this season is the Saints offense and its ability to hold onto the ball. No turnovers should equal a win for the Saints. The 49ers have the 20th ranked defense in the league. They are ranked 25th in the league in pass defense allowing 221.5 yards per game, 19 touchdowns allowed and 10 interceptions. They are ranked 17th in the league in rush defense allowing 116 yards per game and 12 rushing touchdowns. If the Saints offense plays like they played against the Falcons and doesnot turn the ball over this is very good match up for them. With the expected return of Colston based on the fact Payton said that he could have played against the falcons, but wanted to give him an extra week the Saints offense will be at full strength. The leading candidate for offensive ROY should be able to match up well as both starting corners. Even if they choose to double Colston Horn and Devery will have one on one coverage and can do some damage. Lets also not forget about the Reggie factor and both him and deuce running the ball. We need to get the running game going as well. Time of possesion is key.
Saints Defense(17th ranked in total Defense) vs. 49ers Offense(23rd ranked in Total offense)
The Saints defense has played well in the majority of their wins this season. In 4 of those wins they allowed 14 points or less. The job for the saints defense is to stop Frank Gore and force the 49ers to pass the ball. The 49ers offense is ranked 4th in the league rushing the ball averaging 136.6 yards per game and 8 rushing touchdowns. Passing the ball the 49ers are ranked 27th in the league averaging only 167.5 yards per game with 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. If we can stop Frank Gore, or at least eliminate the big plays and force the 49ers to pass the ball we may finally be able to force some turnovers via interception. The other thing that would help the Saints is if their offense can get another big league like they did against the Falcons. This would force the 49ers to start passing more and could lead to more opportunities for turnovers. We must be able to get pressure on alex smith and force him into some bad decisions. The Saints defense is ranked 6th in the league in pass defense only allowing 183.5 yards per game, but they have allowed 20 passing touchdowns which is 2nd most in the league. The saints defense is ranked 29th againts the run allowing an average of 140 yards per game and has giving up 8 rushing touchdowns. Force the 49ers in to 2nd and long, 3rd and long and keep them to field goals will be the goal at hand.
Bottom line we have to play smart football. If we do that, with what our offense is capable of we can win this game. My prediction is Saints 34, 49ers 17.
Go Saints!!!
Saints Offense(1st in Total Offense) vs. 49ers Defense(20th in Total Defense)
the key to this game again like many this season is the Saints offense and its ability to hold onto the ball. No turnovers should equal a win for the Saints. The 49ers have the 20th ranked defense in the league. They are ranked 25th in the league in pass defense allowing 221.5 yards per game, 19 touchdowns allowed and 10 interceptions. They are ranked 17th in the league in rush defense allowing 116 yards per game and 12 rushing touchdowns. If the Saints offense plays like they played against the Falcons and doesnot turn the ball over this is very good match up for them. With the expected return of Colston based on the fact Payton said that he could have played against the falcons, but wanted to give him an extra week the Saints offense will be at full strength. The leading candidate for offensive ROY should be able to match up well as both starting corners. Even if they choose to double Colston Horn and Devery will have one on one coverage and can do some damage. Lets also not forget about the Reggie factor and both him and deuce running the ball. We need to get the running game going as well. Time of possesion is key.
Saints Defense(17th ranked in total Defense) vs. 49ers Offense(23rd ranked in Total offense)
The Saints defense has played well in the majority of their wins this season. In 4 of those wins they allowed 14 points or less. The job for the saints defense is to stop Frank Gore and force the 49ers to pass the ball. The 49ers offense is ranked 4th in the league rushing the ball averaging 136.6 yards per game and 8 rushing touchdowns. Passing the ball the 49ers are ranked 27th in the league averaging only 167.5 yards per game with 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. If we can stop Frank Gore, or at least eliminate the big plays and force the 49ers to pass the ball we may finally be able to force some turnovers via interception. The other thing that would help the Saints is if their offense can get another big league like they did against the Falcons. This would force the 49ers to start passing more and could lead to more opportunities for turnovers. We must be able to get pressure on alex smith and force him into some bad decisions. The Saints defense is ranked 6th in the league in pass defense only allowing 183.5 yards per game, but they have allowed 20 passing touchdowns which is 2nd most in the league. The saints defense is ranked 29th againts the run allowing an average of 140 yards per game and has giving up 8 rushing touchdowns. Force the 49ers in to 2nd and long, 3rd and long and keep them to field goals will be the goal at hand.
Bottom line we have to play smart football. If we do that, with what our offense is capable of we can win this game. My prediction is Saints 34, 49ers 17.
Go Saints!!!