Previewing Each Game on the San Francisco 49ers 2016 Schedule
By Peter Panacy
Week 9 versus New Orleans Saints
Sunday, November 6 at 4:05 p.m. ET
The New Orleans Saints are nothing like the team they used to be, and who could forget the last time quarterback Drew Brees and Co. visited the 49ers in the Bay Area?
Yeah, this particular game won’t have anything like the playoff atmosphere that surrounded Candlestick Park a few years ago.
Like the 49ers, New Orleans is in a bit of a rebuilding mode. But any team with Brees under center is still dangerous, and the Saints still managed to finish with the eighth-best offense a year ago.
That said, New Orleans boasted the league’s worst defense in 2015 — even worse than the Niners — with a whopping 476 points allowed. For a questionable-yet-developing 49ers offense, this could be exactly what head coach Chip Kelly wants.
Why the 49ers Win
New Orleans first-round draft pick Sheldon Rankins should help reinforce the Saints defensive line, but this team is still going to be susceptible to large chunks of yards through the air and on the ground.
San Francisco goes with an attack, attack, attack methodology, and we’ll likely see the true implementation of Kelly’s scheme against a New Orleans team unable to combat what the 49ers offense will try to do.
If you’re one of the few fantasy football owners, who have Niners players on your team, this might be the week to start them.
The 49ers defense does enough to ensure Brees and Northern California native wide receiver, Brandin Cooks, don’t match the Niners offensive prowess.
Why the 49ers Lose
The Saints score the final touchdown of the game. Remember the back-and-forth bout in the playoffs back in 2012?
Well, this contest could be much of the same, but far less pretty.
Brees is as effective a quarterback there is at succeeding in a shootout and, until proven otherwise, his age hasn’t emerged as a factor just yet.
If New Orleans sticks with the 49ers offense blow for blow, the Saints can come away with a win.
Next: Week 10 at Arizona Cardinals