49ers schedule 2022: 5 best defenses San Francisco will face
By Peter Panacy
49ers schedule 2022: Toughest defense No. 2, New Orleans Saints
Yes, it’s another matchup against the New Orleans Saints after getting a two-year break. This time, however, the 49ers schedule won’t include a road trip to the Big Easy. That seemed to be an annual tradition.
It’s anyone’s guess how New Orleans will fare on offense this season, and it’s still trying to navigate the tumult under center in the wake of quarterback Drew Brees’ retirement after 2020.
Forget about all that, though.
The Saints owned an elite defense last season that ranked fourth in scoring (335 points allowed) and tied for third best in terms of yards per play (5.1). Opposing quarterbacks facing off against New Orleans managed a mere 81.7 passer rating, too, which ranked fourth lowest in the league.
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Simply put, and regardless of their own offensive woes, the Saints were more than adept at preventing opponents from finding the end zone.
This might prove difficult for quarterback Trey Lance, particularly with veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu returning to Louisiana and joining an already solid New Orleans secondary.
If there is an advantage to the Niners, aside from it being a home game, the Saints still aren’t expected to be overly potent on offense this season.