What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

So Do Saints Win or 49ers WIN next week? (1 Viewer)

jacobo_moses

jacobo_moses

Footballguy
I'm curious as to what people think on the Saints and 49ers game? I mean its a true battle of a top notch Defense vs a top 3 NFL Offense. Should be quite the battle!!

So who do you think wins the battle?

49ers

or

Saints

:shrug:

 
Last edited by a moderator:
As a 49er fan, I like the teams chances. Detroit's defense dropped 3 int's & was basically robbed on the fumble recovery that the ref blew the whistle on as Detroit was heading for a TD. Saints will at times turn the ball over & the 49ers just need to capitalize when given the chance. If anyone can match up with Sproles & Graham, the 49ers can with Willis & Bowman. Is Moore expected to play? He could be a problem also. Saints away from home, traveling to west coast, on a slow field can be beat. Hopefully Harbaugh remembers that first preseason game when the Saints blitzed the heck out of his unprepared team & has been planning some payback for awhile.

 
To be honest, I was more worried about the Saints losing to Detroit than losing to SF next week. I'm sure I'll end up eating crow, but here's my reasoning.

Yes, the Saints are far better at home. But even on the road, they're going to score pts. Maybe not 40+ pts, but I can't see them being held under 20. I don't know if SF is going to be able to score enough to keep up with them. Detroit had a much better chance of putting up serious points. I think SF is the better team between them and Detroit for sure, but against the Saints, I think they match up better against SF.

Will be interesting to see which wins out: elite offense or elite defense.

 
The Saints haven't been held below 20 all year, while the 49ers have scored 20 or less seven times (almost half their games).

Most take note of the strength of the 49ers rush defense, but their pass defense is impressive as well. They're tied for the most turnovers created - in fact, the top four teams takeaways are the Pack, 49ers, Pats and Lions. I like their chances at disrupting Brees rhythm, and they match up with the Saints playmakers better than most.

I think this is going to come down to some key 3rd and short situations where Chris Ivory will be a big factor. When the 49ers have the ball, I just don't see them taking enough shots to keep pace. Alex Smith is a guy who can manage T.O.P. and field position and not turn the ball over - but when pressed, I don't think he has the ability to make big plays when they are behind. Crabtree and Davis are more than adequate, but in no way comparable to Colston and Graham et al.

Saints 27, 49ers 16

 
'mcd said:
As a 49er fan, I like the teams chances. Detroit's defense dropped 3 int's & was basically robbed on the fumble recovery that the ref blew the whistle on as Detroit was heading for a TD. Saints will at times turn the ball over & the 49ers just need to capitalize when given the chance. If anyone can match up with Sproles & Graham, the 49ers can with Willis & Bowman. Is Moore expected to play? He could be a problem also. Saints away from home, traveling to west coast, on a slow field can be beat. Hopefully Harbaugh remembers that first preseason game when the Saints blitzed the heck out of his unprepared team & has been planning some payback for awhile.
Click to expand...
I can see it going this way for sure. The 49ers MUST convert in the red zone which is something they have not done well all season. No way they beat the Saints settling for FGs but if they can somehow turn a few of those FGs into TDs that's thier shot to win. Looking forward to a good game.
 
Saints win something like 23-13. I think the Niners are a much better team than the Lions but the Saints defense matches up well with the Niners offense.

 
I like SF here too. Lots of time to prepare for the Saints defense, which is extremely vulnerable way from home. That West Coast offense was clicking the night they moved up and down the field on Pittsburgh, and I really think SF gets into the end zone a few more times, instead of kicking those 20 yard chip shots.

I think they have just enough defense to win this.

24 - 21 49ers

 
I just don't think that SF can keep up with the Saints in scoring. SF has a solid defense, but that will only be able to keep the Saints down for so long. Unless SF can find ways to score they won't hang in this game long I don't think. I am also sure 99% of people wrote this same thing about Denver so who the hell knows!

 
'Widbil83 said:
I just don't think that SF can keep up with the Saints in scoring. SF has a solid defense, but that will only be able to keep the Saints down for so long. Unless SF can find ways to score they won't hang in this game long I don't think. I am also sure 99% of people wrote this same thing about Denver so who the hell knows!
Click to expand...
Saints averaging roughly 23ppg on Grass in 4 games this year, and that was @Jax, @TB, @Carolina, @Tennessee.
 
'Ballstein said:
saints lose on grass and away.
Click to expand...
Saints have the best road record in the NFL over the last 3 seasons. The whole idea that the Saints can't win on the road is a complete fallacy.
 
Last edited:
Last year the Saints were a tired and injured team heading into the playoffs but this year they are healthy and focused. Smith isn't a good enough QB to win this game and the Saints have too many weapons to cover.

We all know (although fans of the Giants and 49ers will try to convince themselves otherwise) it is going to be the Saints Vs Packers in NFC conference game and that will be an excellent game. :popcorn:

 
'gradin123 said:
Last year the Saints were a tired and injured team heading into the playoffs but this year they are healthy and focused. Smith isn't a good enough QB to win this game and the Saints have too many weapons to cover.We all know (although fans of the Giants and 49ers will try to convince themselves otherwise) it is going to be the Saints Vs Packers in NFC conference game and that will be an excellent game. :popcorn:
Click to expand...
Packers lose to the Giants next week.. Saints go to the Super Bowl 2 weeks later..
 
'BobbyLayne said:
The Saints haven't been held below 20 all year, while the 49ers have scored 20 or less seven times (almost half their games).

Most take note of the strength of the 49ers rush defense, but their pass defense is impressive as well. They're tied for the most turnovers created - in fact, the top four teams takeaways are the Pack, 49ers, Pats and Lions. I like their chances at disrupting Brees rhythm, and they match up with the Saints playmakers better than most.

I think this is going to come down to some key 3rd and short situations where Chris Ivory will be a big factor. When the 49ers have the ball, I just don't see them taking enough shots to keep pace. Alex Smith is a guy who can manage T.O.P. and field position and not turn the ball over - but when pressed, I don't think he has the ability to make big plays when they are behind. Crabtree and Davis are more than adequate, but in no way comparable to Colston and Graham et al.

Saints 27, 49ers 16
Click to expand...
Their pass D is right about middle of the pack. Looks like they do well with INTs, but when I looked at their schedule I noticed that against good QBs they do give up yardage. I didn't dive into everything, but on NFL.com they show passing leaders on the schedule and Eli had 311 @ SF, a horrible/gimpy Roethlisberger had 330 @ SF, Romo had 345 @SF, Stafford had 293 @DET and Vick had 416 @PHI. The rest of the teams they played were meh to bad passing teams.Given the yardage success and the fact that the Saints are a better passing team than all of the above and clicking on all cylinders right now, I don't think SF wins. I think SF won't have enough firepower to keep it close enough to win the game. I would say NO doesn't put up gigantic numbers, but still wins 28-17.

 
'Carolina Hustler said:
'gradin123 said:
Last year the Saints were a tired and injured team heading into the playoffs but this year they are healthy and focused. Smith isn't a good enough QB to win this game and the Saints have too many weapons to cover.We all know (although fans of the Giants and 49ers will try to convince themselves otherwise) it is going to be the Saints Vs Packers in NFC conference game and that will be an excellent game. :popcorn:
Click to expand...
Packers lose to the Giants next week.. Saints go to the Super Bowl 2 weeks later..
Click to expand...
I would love to see that happen. In a FF playoff pool and I am heaviest NO, so I would love to see them beat SF and play the Giants at home to get to the SB.
 
'stbugs said:
'Carolina Hustler said:
'gradin123 said:
Last year the Saints were a tired and injured team heading into the playoffs but this year they are healthy and focused. Smith isn't a good enough QB to win this game and the Saints have too many weapons to cover.We all know (although fans of the Giants and 49ers will try to convince themselves otherwise) it is going to be the Saints Vs Packers in NFC conference game and that will be an excellent game. :popcorn:
Click to expand...
Packers lose to the Giants next week.. Saints go to the Super Bowl 2 weeks later..
Click to expand...
I would love to see that happen. In a FF playoff pool and I am heaviest NO, so I would love to see them beat SF and play the Giants at home to get to the SB.
Click to expand...
You're in Charlotte as well! Do I know you?
 
'stbugs said:
'BobbyLayne said:
The Saints haven't been held below 20 all year, while the 49ers have scored 20 or less seven times (almost half their games).

Most take note of the strength of the 49ers rush defense, but their pass defense is impressive as well. They're tied for the most turnovers created - in fact, the top four teams takeaways are the Pack, 49ers, Pats and Lions. I like their chances at disrupting Brees rhythm, and they match up with the Saints playmakers better than most.

I think this is going to come down to some key 3rd and short situations where Chris Ivory will be a big factor. When the 49ers have the ball, I just don't see them taking enough shots to keep pace. Alex Smith is a guy who can manage T.O.P. and field position and not turn the ball over - but when pressed, I don't think he has the ability to make big plays when they are behind. Crabtree and Davis are more than adequate, but in no way comparable to Colston and Graham et al.

Saints 27, 49ers 16
Click to expand...
Their pass D is right about middle of the pack. Looks like they do well with INTs, but when I looked at their schedule I noticed that against good QBs they do give up yardage. I didn't dive into everything, but on NFL.com they show passing leaders on the schedule and Eli had 311 @ SF, a horrible/gimpy Roethlisberger had 330 @ SF, Romo had 345 @SF, Stafford had 293 @DET and Vick had 416 @PHI. The rest of the teams they played were meh to bad passing teams.Given the yardage success and the fact that the Saints are a better passing team than all of the above and clicking on all cylinders right now, I don't think SF wins. I think SF won't have enough firepower to keep it close enough to win the game. I would say NO doesn't put up gigantic numbers, but still wins 28-17.
Click to expand...
Big Ben may have had 330 @ SF, but they only put up 3pts that night :) . Having the one of the best punters in the game, plus a bend but don't break defense helps.With that said, I'm just enjoying the ride and give the 9ers an "any given Sunday" shot at pulling it off.

 
'gradin123 said:
How is the Saints punter?Oh yeah he didnt play last week
Click to expand...
Morestead's actually damned good. Like Lee he's a big part of the defense, not just on punts but by setting an NFL record for kickoff touchbacks this year. And as the Colts know he has a wicked onsides.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
SF has not played the Pats, the Pack or the Saints in the regular season. The closest were the Cowboys, 3 point loss, and the Giants, 7 point win. The Saints have just put up 600+ yards offense two straight games; they have just put up 42+ points in 4 straight games. They just ran for almost as many yards as the Texans in their playoff opener and they have the 6th overall run game. it might surprise some people to learn that SF ranks below them at 8th.

SF has played one - that's ONE - offense with a rushing game ranked that high, Philly, who they beat at home, by just 24-23.

If SF goes up by 10, they can lose.

If the Saints go up by 10 they can't lose.

We know the 9ers can't win this game the way the Packers beat the Saints. Otherwise, the classic book on beating the Saints is the Cowboys with Barber in 2009, the Seahawks with Lynch in 2010, and the Rams with Jackson in 2011: turnovers from the Saints that are turned into points (key, see Lions, who did not convert), special teams play, and heavy duty running. Note that two of those games were on turf, one in the Superdome, so there is no special magic to the grass. Obviously the 9ers with Gore can do all these things.

The 9er penchant for winning by not turning the ball over - a huge advantage game after game this year - is almost neutralized in advance because amazingly the Saints have not been relying on TO's to win this year whatsoever. (And it's scarey to think what would happen if they did get say +5 TOs in a game).

This one is going to be tough I think. But the reality is that, like Stafford, Alex Smith has no playoff experience. None. Hasselbeck played lights out vs the Saints last year, it was the Seahawks' best QB performance all year and Hass has had those games in his time - and he had playoff experience. When has Alex Smith ever had "one of those games"? Never, and he definitely won't have it in the playoffs in his first game ever. Offensively this is a one dimesnional team and Gregg Williams feasts on one dimensional teams.

SF has given up the 7th most sacks in the league this year, right between Minnesota and Jacksonville. The Saints' defense actually has a shot of being the hero in this one.

Historically the Saints have won six straight vs the 9ers. Payton and Brees are 4-0 vs Alex Smith, including a 31-10 win in SF in 2007. Harbaugh of course has never faced the Saints, except for the 24-3 loss in the preseason opener (a game in which a 59 yard FG by Akers was the only thing that prevented a shutout).

And so the 9er defense, their strength: The Lions held the Saints to ZERO points in the 1st quarter, 10 in the first half. That sounds perfect, but they lost giving up 45. I have no idea what the 9ers say at half if they have held the Saints ... go do it again? Right.

Look at the QBs the 9ers have faced since the bye: McCoy, Beck, Eli Manning, Bartel, Flacco (lost), Feeley, Skelton (lost), Not So Big Ben playing on half a leg, Tavaris Jackson (won by 2), and Clemens (won by 7). No, just no.

The 9ers are not coming in strong - here are their last 4 games:

- Lost to Arizona. Three TDs from Skelton.

- The Steeler game - despite ultimately getting 5 TOs the 9ers were tied just 3-3 past the halfway mark of the 3rd. 2 TDs for SF, the 2nd went all of 17 yards.

- They should have lost to Seattle and might have if not for a crucially timed personal foul penalty on Seattle not to mention the QB genius of TJax. Won by 2.

- Has anyone mentioned that Kellen Clemens put up 27 points and 2 TDs on them just 2 weeks ago???

These were games at the end of the year with everything on the line.

The biggest advantage for the 9ers is that they have had 2 weeks to rest and plan for this game. I think their best case scenario is they can start out well even as much as taking something like a 10-0 lead (or 10-3, or 10-7, or 10-10, who knows) and then they run out of ideas and get beat by a comfortable margin, anywhere from 23-10 to 27-17 to 38-17. Historically the best possiblity I can think of is the 2000 Bucs holding the Warner-led Rams to an 11-6 win in 2000 (after the 1999 season).

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Saints are 11-1 in a dome, but only 3-2 outside. They score about 40 points in a dome, but only 25 outside. They are going up against a rested and powerful 49er defense. I'll pick the 49ers in this one.

 
'Fensalk said:
Saints are 11-1 in a dome, but only 3-2 outside. They score about 40 points in a dome, but only 25 outside. They are going up against a rested and powerful 49er defense. I'll pick the 49ers in this one.
Click to expand...
One of those 2 was vs the Pack and they scored 34 and left the game on the Lambeau 1 yard line, no shame there.SF is 2-2 in their last 4 outside. The last 2 being wins vs Pegleg Ben and TJax.I think the better point is the Saints have played only 5 games all year outdoors, just one since mid-October.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
'Fensalk said:
Saints are 11-1 in a dome, but only 3-2 outside. They score about 40 points in a dome, but only 25 outside. They are going up against a rested and powerful 49er defense. I'll pick the 49ers in this one.
Click to expand...
People keep bringing this stat up but do you realize what you are saying, they ONLY score 25 outside? 24-27 points is easily enough to beat the 49ers anyway, and the Saints are better now than they have been all year. Saints win 30-16.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BobbyLayne
**MNF Lions at 49ers** (+3.5, 50.5) 8:15
10 11 12
Replies
550
Views
11K
Neil Beaufort Zod
Neil Beaufort Zod
Joe Bryant
Your List Of QBs Good Enough To Get To And Win A Super Bowl
2
Replies
90
Views
4K
General Malaise
General Malaise
Scoresman
My 2025 NFL Team Offense Rankings
Replies
2
Views
3K
taylormeetstheismann
taylormeetstheismann

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top