49ers: 5 biggest concerns stemming from epic win vs. Saints

5 biggest concerns stemming from 49ers epic win vs. Saints

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints is defended by Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers during a NFL game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

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Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

No. 5: What If the 49ers Pass Rush Doesn’t Get Home?

The 49ers have to feel a little better about not having to face a mobile quarterback until Week 17 when they visit Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.

But a relatively immobile quarterback, Drew Brees, was still able to carve up San Francisco’s defense to the tune of 349 yards, five touchdowns and an average of 8.5 yards per pass. Entering the game, Brees was getting rid of the ball within 2.53 seconds, according to NextGen Stats, which is second among qualifiers only to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (2.46). This is a prime way Brees is able to offset a good pass rush.

And that worked well enough against San Francisco.

The Niners failed to sack Brees during the game, hitting him only three times. There was a moment when the 49ers appeared to sack Brees, only to see it negated by a defensive penalty against San Francisco.

Two weeks ago, the Niners were able to thwart Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to great effect. Not so against Brees, who used the opportunity to take advantage of the 49ers secondary.

Speaking of the defensive backfield…