NFL Playoffs Schedule: Saints Travel To San Francisco To Play 49ers

by Joel Thorman on Jan 8, 2012 10:00 AM CST

The New Orleans Saints didn't have much of a problem with the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card game, 45-28. They move onto the Divisional round against the NFC's No. 2 seed, San Francisco 49ers. This will be a classic game of a great offense vs. a great defense.

The Saints finished the 2011 season as the No. 2 ranked offense and the 49ers finished the season as the No. 2 ranked defense. No one has slowed down the Saints offense in two months basically so the 49ers may not be expected to pitch a shutout here.

But the 49ers do have the pieces in place to beat the Saints. I'm not saying they will, I'm saying they have a good formula to do it. What you need to beat these offensive powerhouses is a front seven that can get to the quarterback and guys like Justin Smith and Aldon Smith can go do that. The 49ers should keep this competitive and they might even win.

But that's assuming someone can stop the Saints offense and, right now, that looks like a bad assumption.

Right now I'm rolling with the Saints. They're just playing too good right now.

Poll

Saints vs. 49ers - Who ya got?

Saints

640 votes

49ers

267 votes

907 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Saints by far

I don’t see the 9ers as an elite team, much more like the Chiefs last year which will get exposed.

I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee

by BAMFSpecialOps on Jan 8, 2012 10:03 AM CST reply actions

Yeah but they can pressure the QB

That’s something you have to do to beat the Saints. That defense is legit.

Arrowhead Pride
SBNation.com/NFL

by Joel Thorman on Jan 8, 2012 10:05 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think the offense can put enough points to stay with the Saints

like the Lions last night who have a much better offense and a good front 4, they got some pressure but you just can’t cover all of those weapons all game long

I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee

by BAMFSpecialOps on Jan 8, 2012 10:10 AM CST up reply actions

flying to san fran for this game. cant wait.

Pay Brandon Carr/Romeo
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Jan 8, 2012 10:08 AM CST reply actions

jet lag might get the Saints a bit, allowing the Niners to finish the job ...

top of my head yeah, Saints look invincible, but … but … but … I’ll think of a valid reason in a few days and then (probably) roll with the Saints anyway

Twisted Lord of AP Color Commentary (H/T - Loco)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Jan 8, 2012 10:11 AM CST reply actions

Drew will step off the plane awkwardly,

Ensuring a 49ers victory. Just watch.

When you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.

Jamaal above all. #25 ftw.

CHIEFS WILL!

by NJChieffan16 on Jan 8, 2012 10:16 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

indeed, dree brees will step of the plane and have one of the worst game of his career

he’ll only score 4 TDs and 400 yards

by Chiefshero on Jan 8, 2012 10:21 AM CST up reply actions

depends

if the 49ers defense can get to brees all game and the coverage is tight—49ers

if the 49ers defense can’t get to brees, saints,

by Chiefshero on Jan 8, 2012 10:20 AM CST reply actions

49rs

are going to beat the saints, then the packers.

Alex Smith shows the world that he is a new QB and plays as he had this entire season.

49rs defense comes up big, and picks off Brees a couple of times by bringing different looks in their blitz scheme and by their tremendous pass rush with their DEs.

by andrew33 on Jan 8, 2012 10:22 AM CST reply actions