49ers vs. Saints: Key matchups that’ll decide Week 12 outcome

49ers vs. Saints matchup No. 4: Niners pass defense vs. Andy Dalton

Are the Saints engineering the resurgence of veteran quarterback Andy Dalton?

OK, let’s not kid ourselves. At this point in his career, Dalton is a high-quality backup, one who actually beat the Niners in that kind of role back in 2020 when he was with the Dallas Cowboys.

However, despite plenty of injuries and challenges to New Orleans’ offense this season, Dalton now finds himself completing almost 67 percent of his passes for 1,819 yards and 14 touchdowns against seven interceptions, all for a respectable 96.4 passer rating.

And the Saints pass offense is tied for eighth in the NFL with a net average of 6.6 yards per pass play.

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Considering wide receiver Michael Thomas has scantly been a factor this season, that’s impressive enough.

Dalton and the rest of New Orleans’ receiving weapons now square off against a San Francisco defense that enters Week 12 having allowed the seventh-fewest pass yards (2,028) in the league and is averaging just 5.5 yards per attempt, also seventh lowest.

With the 49ers likely wanting to run the ball and grind the Saints down, Dalton’s response is likely to come heavily through the air.

The Niners and Saints kick off on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 4:25 p.m. from Levi’s Stadium.