Saints At 49Ers Discussion Thread

[Wacko4Zacko]

[center][b][color=#daa520]New Orleans Saints [/color]at [color=#ff0000]San Francisco 49ers[/color][/b][/center][left][color=#000000]So I assume we are all rooting for the other Harbaugh?[/color][/left][left]Well just found out for tomorrow that the NO/San Fran game is supposed to be 47 degrees with wind and a chilly breeze rolling off the good ole bay! Believe me I have been to candlestick park before in December and it was cold enough and I am a Baltimore guy. So I personally can't imagine how cold it is in January with added breeze because I am serious that bay makes things colder. Best Run defense should stop Saints run game, but now Saints passing game and Drew Brees himself may have difficulty now.

Last year in playoffs, Seahawks proposed how to beat Saints...run the ball, Marshawn Lynch exposed that defense. Saints now have to do same but this time it is in San Francisco and Niners fans are definitely gonna be loud, you better believe it seeing a sit is home playoff game. Drew Brees and outside cold weather just don't mesh well despite his last name being Brees.

A 100% healthy Frank Gore is going to have a field day on Saints D which will be trouble for Saints because that means that is more Brees on sidelines and less time Saints offense is on field. That is the key keeping Brees and that offense off the field as much as possible. [/left][left]I think chances of for Niners just got better[/left]

[PuRock]

Ofcourse. Let the 49ers knock off a powerhouse. I'm pulling for them. We know we can beat them. One less team to worry about.

[Wacko4Zacko]

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/13/peter-king-gregg-williams-expected-to-join-fisher/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/13/peter-king-gregg-williams-expected-to-join-fisher/[/url]

Rumor has it that Gregg Williams is expected to leave saints and join Jeff Fisher staff with rams. Does this possibly cause any reason of distraction? Granted game is tomorrow, so I do not know how much or if any distraction can really be caused within 24 hours, but I guess we never really will know.

[T3hRaven]

The only thing keeping me from saying the 49ers have no chance of being the Saints is that Seahawks game last year. The 49ers defense is overrated, it doesn't take much to have a good defense when you play in the NFC West. Really, the Saints should destroy the 49ers, but after dropping the ball in the playoffs last year I just don't trust them.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1326496277' post='946184']
The only thing keeping me from saying the 49ers have no chance of being the Saints is that Seahawks game last year. The 49ers defense is overrated, it doesn't take much to have a good defense when you play in the NFC West. Really, the Saints should destroy the 49ers, but after dropping the ball in the playoffs last year I just don't trust them.
[/quote]

They didn't allow a single rushing TD until week 16, when Cap'n Skittles Lynch scored for his 11th(?) straight game. Doesn't matter which division you play in, that's impressive.

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1326496479' post='946187']
They didn't allow a single rushing TD until week 16, when Cap'n Skittles Lynch scored for his 11th(?) straight game. Doesn't matter which division you play in, that's impressive.
[/quote]

Good thing the Saints don't need to run the ball to score, and that secondary is pretty porous.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1326496551' post='946189']

Good thing the Saints don't need to run the ball to score, and that secondary is pretty porous.
[/quote]
I wouldn't call them porous. I doubt they are able to last against Brees and Co. in a shoot out, but not many secondaries are. However, Carlos Rogers was a strong candidate for FA acquisition of the year, and the rest of their CBs have played fairly well in 2011. This is how their 3 starting CBs have fared thus far:

Carlos Rogers was targeted 106 times, allowing 58 receptions, with a 52.8% completion percentage. He allowed 3 TDs and nabbed 6 INTs. All combine to equal a QB rating of 61.9.

Tarrell Brown was targeted 78 times, allowing 42 receptions, with a 53.8% completion percentage. He also allowed 3 TDs and nabbed 4 INTs. All combine to equal a QB rating of 70.8.

Chris Culliver was targeted 53 times, allowing 30 receptions, with a 56.6% completion percentage. He allowed 2 TDs and nabbed 1 INT. All combine to equal a QB rating of 76.0.

Not the most well-known names, but those are some pretty solid numbers. Now if anything, their Safeties can be exposed in coverage. Dashon Goldson is a little overrated, in my opinion, and wasn't worthy of the Pro-Bowl nod. While Donte Whitner was a good addition, he's much better in the box than he is at covering ground. And with Drew Brees behind Center, all of those numbers fly out of the window. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Jimmy Graham have a good day working the middle, same with Marques Colston.

[Wacko4Zacko]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1326496479' post='946187']

They didn't allow a single rushing TD until week 16, when Cap'n Skittles Lynch scored for his 11th(?) straight game. Doesn't matter which division you play in, that's impressive.
[/quote]

Thomas, Ivory, Sproles. 3 headed monster against the 49ers D. I think the Niners can win this battle, however when Sproles is sue din passing game then I am iffy.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

The only way I see the Niners winning is if they can impose their tone and physicality on the Saints early and dominate the TOP. Gore and Hunter need to be churning out the yards. If they can't do that then they lose. Their defense is good but the Niners are not one of the few teams capable of keeping up with the Saints in a shoot out.

[hawkprey]

I think I want the Saints to win this one. I used to like when teams suddenly made a big turnaround after years of failure, but the fans ruined it for me. Jets fans, 9ers fans, Houston fans, Lions fans... fans getting pretty arrogant. Also, it'd be nice to be the only defense in a world of offenses next week if we, NE and NO win.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1326500779' post='946257']
I think I want the Saints to win this one. I used to like when teams suddenly made a big turnaround after years of failure, but the fans ruined it for me. [b]Jets fans, 9ers fans, Houston fans,[/b] [b]Lions fans[/b]... fans getting pretty arrogant. Also, it'd be nice to be the only defense in a world of offenses next week if we, NE and NO win.
[/quote]

Yeah, it's annoying.

Jets fans - Haha, you're team is a joke. You're where you should be, in the "completely irrelevant" category.

9ers fans - ONE good season for the first time in a decade? Well done. You still have Alex Smith...sooooo....

Houson fans - One playoff win and you're acting like a dynasty that has won multiple Super Bowls. When you've won more than one playoff game and made the post-season more than once you can MAYBE start jawing a little.

Lions fans - Trollolol. How quickly you forget 0-16. The only real defining features of you're team is it's dirtiness and the fact that you've had the worst record EVER in the HISTORY of the NFL.

[Bltravens]

Depends if Aldon Smith can get to Brees, and how well Harbaugh schemed the run attack on the Saints. Vernon Davis is a matchup nightmare for anyone on that defense except for Jenkins. Finding ways to get him away from Jenkins and being creative in getting the ball to him will go a huge way. I'd love to see the 49ers win simply because I hate spread offenses, and I'm not the biggest fan of Sean Peyton. Seems arrogant among all arrogance.

Someone needs to remind him his offense scored 0 points in the Super Bowl against us in 2000, so I can see that crap eating grin go away.

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

niners take it

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1326504985' post='946304']

Yeah, it's annoying.

Jets fans - Haha, you're team is a joke. You're where you should be, in the "completely irrelevant" category.

9ers fans - ONE good season for the first time in a decade? Well done. You still have Alex Smith...sooooo....

Houson fans - One playoff win and you're acting like a dynasty that has won multiple Super Bowls. When you've won more than one playoff game and made the post-season more than once you can MAYBE start jawing a little.

Lions fans - Trollolol. How quickly you forget 0-16. The only real defining features of you're team is it's dirtiness and the fact that you've had the worst record EVER in the HISTORY of the NFL.
[/quote]

I'm with all of this. You're the man, Clutch.

[Wacko4Zacko]

Aldon and Justin Smith will be keys to getting pressure with Navarro Bowman up the middle. But do not forget Patrick Willis, if he gets his chance he will layout somebody on the field.

[ninpiggy]

I'm thinking the win is going to go to the Saints.

[JO_75]

I'm picking the Saints because I don't think the 49ers have a good enough secondary to stop Brees. I think if they don't get any pressure, they are going to be done. It would be cool to see the 49ers to win to have a shot at a Super Harbaugh Bowl but I think Drew Brees gets close to another playoff passing record.

[Wacko4Zacko]

Sleeper X-factor is 49ers special teams, they have Ted Ginn who will be as the return specialist for them. Dont be surprised if Ginn can get that offense some good field position and even if Ginn may score a TD.

[MsMarvel73]

I will happily cheer for that Other Harbaugh and that Other #52 this afternoon.

[hawkprey]

Might as well get a prediction in to make it interesting. 38-34 Saints victory. Gore has 2 TDs, Smith breaks 250 yards. Sproles with a bad day (against the best run D? I think so), but Gresham and Mecham make up for it.

[cursona pirate]

I think Saints win in the last minute and Alex Smith fails a comeback.

[Gordo52]

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Im going with the 49ers to win this one 34-27.
I orginally thought Saints but I got a gut feeling.
Plus Alex Smith is a BEAST at home. Idk how well he will be in the playoffs but we'll see.
I think Gore controls the clock and the 49ers D shows up big and stops Brees.
The 9ers will make them one dimensional and force Brees to throw while their pass rush forces bad throws.
I think Brees will have around 340 yards 2 tds 2 ints and Smith will have 250 yards 3 tds 0 ints

[JO_75]

Half Hour away from game time. This is going to be the most interesting games of the weekend. High power offense vs a Stingy Defense. I think the 49ers can have a chance to win as long as they get the pass rush on Brees but if not look out.

[CapoRocky]

Round two of the playoffs is usually where the contenders take care of the wannabees. The sure losers will be the Texans and the Broncos. The 49ers and the NYG have a good chance to cover the spread if not win their games. The picks are in.

[JO_75]

Getting close.... I wonder if the whole Gregg Williams possibly joining Fisher in St. Louis will be a distraction and the Saints defense won't be as good as it could be if there was no distraction.

[Y2J]

Hey it's Tony lol

[PuRock]

Don't know how I would feel if we had to play first. I kinda prefer having two games go before us.

[JO_75]

49ers win coin toss but chose to defer so Saints get ball first.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Y2J' timestamp='1326576909' post='946902']
Hey it's Tony lol
[/quote]

He's making sure to show off his big fat Super Bowl ring too.

[MsMarvel73]

I still adore Goose!


And did anyone else wince at Huey Lewis's slightly flat notes? Or was that just me?