New Orleans Saints (13-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

Candlestick Park

Kickoff: Saturday, January 14 at 1:30 PM PST

TV: FOX

Weather: Sunny (53°F)

Game day is upon us 49ers Faithful.  Today the 49ers will remind the Saints and the NFL world of the deep and successful tradition of this franchise.  We have waited eight seasons for the 49ers to return to the playoffs.  It has been a while since the 49ers have played a win or go home game, so we can expect a loud and hostile crowd at Candlestick Park.  Here are five things to watch for in the Saints vs. 49ers game:

Go 49ers!

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The 49ers had a long road getting back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.  I still cannot believe that they are playing against the Saints tomorrow in the playoffs.  It’s not that I did not believe in the team but we have all been burned by the 49ers in the past and how this would be the season the team turns it around, only to be disappointed.  It’s funny that most NFL experts did not give the 49ers a chance to turn it around this season, and neither did I, because of the lockout.  Instead of finishing with a non-winning record for the ninth straight season, the 49ers reclaimed the NFC West title and earned the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a 13-3 record.  Along the way the 49ers went 5-1 against division rivals, beat the so-called Dream Team, resurgent Lions, G-men and the Steel Curtain.   Who Dat Nation is next to go down!

Here is a look back at the 49ers road to the No. 2 seed in the NFC :

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New Orleans Saints (13-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

Candlestick Park

Kickoff: Saturday, January 14 at 1:30 PM PST

TV: FOX

The Line (as of 1/12/12): Saints favored by 3 points

Series Record:  49ers lead the series 45-24-2.  Saints have won six straight games against the 49ers.  The last win by the 49ers over the Saints was in 2001.

Last regular season meeting: September 10, 2010, Saints won 25-22.  Game was at Candlestick Park on Monday Night Football.

Compelling stats:

Saints are 0-4 on the road in the playoffs in franchise history.

The Saints were eliminated by the 7-9 Seahawks from the playoffs last season.  The game was played on the road in Seattle.

The 49ers were last in the playoffs in 2002 and the only remaining player on the roster from the team is long snapper Brian Jennings.

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