New Orleans Saints Four Downs: vs San Francisco
 

If the Saints offense can keep 3rd down in the 2-5 yd range it will be huge!

First Down – Saints offense face a tough test

Besides Detroit, this is the stingiest defense this Saints offense will have faced all season. But unlike the game against the Lions, this game will be played in the friendly confides of the Super Dome

The 49ers are giving up 292 yards per game, 206.3 in the passing department and 85.6 in rushing. They rank third and fifth in each of those categories respectively.

Of the eight games New Orleans has played, only two of those teams were in the top 15 of total defense (Minnesota and Detroit). Drew Brees played pretty well against those defenses, but the running game was held in check. Mark Ingram is going to have to find some running room in order for Brees to be successful. That’s the case for most games, but it’s especially important Sunday. The Detroit game was a good example of that.

Second Down – Over working Mark Ingram?

At the start of the season, fans knew this offense was going to lean heavily on Ingram in the rushing department. But in the overtime loss to Atlanta to open the season, the Saints only called 13 rushing plays for him. Against Cleveland, although he got hurt, he only had 11 rushing attempts. In his first game back from injury, he rushed the ball 10 times, but that was expected coming off a four-week hiatus.

Now that he’s back and healthy, Ingram has 54 rushing attempts in the last two games. That has a lot to do with the injuries to Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas, but it still begs the question, is he being overworked?

Ingram said he wanted the ball more after those two games in five nights, and that’s always a good sign. The Saints are going to need him this Sunday.

Third Down – The 49ers offensive line

The offensive line of San Franscico allowed eight sacks on Colin Kaepernick last Sunday against the Rams. To put that into perspective, the Rams have 13 total sacks this season. The 49ers have allowed 27 sacks on Kaepernick, averaging 3.4 a game.

Another interesting stat: Kaepernick is sacked 9.5 percent of the time when he drops back to pass.

The Saints defensive line has stepped it up since the beginning season, getting more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. They’ve forced five more sacks in the last three games than they had in the first five games.

Fourth Down – Matchup to watch:

This week’s matchup to watch is the 49ers’ run game versus the Saints’ defense. I was a little surprised when I saw the stats, but San Francisco is only averaging 119.5 yards per game. Frank Gore averages 59 yards and Kaepernick averages 34.3 yards to lead the team.

The rush defense is the strength of the Saints’ defense, and holding the 49ers running attack will bode well for the Saints’ chances.

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Re: New Orleans Saints Four Downs: vs San Francisco
 

I'm not worried. I keep trying to find a reason to worry -- but I'm still not worried.

If they are able to shut down our run game, then I will worry.

Re: New Orleans Saints Four Downs: vs San Francisco
 

Of course Ingram's fresh. He's waited 2 seasons to get here!