5 Reasons the 49ers will beat the Saints
 

5.) Motivation
The last time the San Francisco 49ers played the New Orleans Saints they left the Mercedes-Benz Superdome feeling cheated and robbed. With 3:12, left on the clock and a 20-17 lead, Ahmad Brooks delivered what seemed like a game clinching sack fumble only to have it nullified by a questionable Unnecessary Roughness penalty. Many 49ers were visibly disturbed by the call and that perceived robbery could translate into some real motivation on the field this Sunday.

4.) NFC West Desperation
Currently the San Francisco 49ers are third in the NFC West and are only one game above being dead last. The 49ers have already equaled last year’s loss total and more importantly appear to be on the outside looking in for the NFC Playoff Picture. The 49ers trail the Cardinals by 3 games and have a losing record within the division; it seems their only shot at the playoffs will be a wildcard berth. A loss this Sunday will be a fourth NFC loss and the 49ers playoff hopes cannot afford that.

3.)Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers
The San Francisco 49ers defense ranks 10th, in the NFL, in forcing turnovers with 13 turnovers forced this season (9 INTs & 4 Fum.). The New Orleans Saints offense ranks 7th, in the league, in giveaways, a statistic that could play a pivotal role in who wins this game. In the last 3 meetings, between these two teams, the 49ers have forced the Saints into 10 turnovers not including last years reversed sack fumble. If the giving Saints hand the 49ers defense the ball, as history suggest, Sunday’s outcome will heavily favor the road team.

2.)Rushing Defense
The New Orleans Saints success this season has been tied to the running game. The Saints average more carries (30.8 vs. 22.3 in losses) and more yards (136.5 vs 122.5 in losses). Lucky for the 49ers, their rushing defense has been one of the more stout units in the NFL. This season, through 8 games, the 49ers are allowing a 5th best 85.6 yards per game on the ground. The stingy 49ers have only surrendered 5 scores on the ground. If the 49ers plan to halt the resurgent Saints the rushing defense may be the key.

1.) 3 Game Slide
For most NFL teams, in the playoff hunt, losing two games in a row can be a death sentence, but for this bunch it may be a God send. Under Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have never lost three consecutive games. In fact in three games following a second straight loss, the team is giving up only 12.7 points while scoring 29.3. Since Harbaugh arrived, the 49ers have been a resilient and tough minded team. If the 49ers are able to keep that laser focus this Sunday against the Saints, chances are they will avoid the dreaded three game slide yet again.

Stay tuned for Five Reasons the Saints will beat the 49ers.

5 Reasons the San Francisco 49ers will beat the New Orleans Saints - Crescent City Kings

Re: 5 Reasons the 49ers will beat the Saints
 

The thing about it is, if Harbaugh is on the rocks....this is not the first time that Sean Payton has cemented an opposing coach's departure, or been the prime architect of a coaching implosion for the other team. Remember the time before Mike Smith, when the Falcons fired their coach immediately right after playing the Saints? This could be the final straw that breaks the camel's back, and Payton's been that straw before, a number of times.

Re: 5 Reasons the 49ers will beat the Saints
 

We need to keep Kaep in the pocket passing. And KeenKenan has to take away Boldin. Their team is 5 deep at receiver. If Brees had them he'd have 40 td's right now.

Re: 5 Reasons the 49ers will beat the Saints
 

Saints at home in prime-time is a sure bet in Vegas.
Saints at home anytime is a good bet.

49ers may look bad but they will put up a fight, they always do.
They even stole defeat from the clutches of victory last week.

Let's just say I feel the Saints and 49ers are two teams heading in different directions. The Saints picked up real momentum two weeks ago and carry that momentum into this game.

The 49ers have been fishy all year. Riddled with injuries and suspensions, their only hope for a comeback is after all the suspended players start to return.

Unfortunately for the 49ers, their players return from suspension NEXT week, so a 4-5 record is likely for them AND I believe they'll start to recover at that record when their players return next week and maybe sneak into the playoffs.

Re: 5 Reasons the 49ers will beat the Saints
 

You think the home game winning streak is going to come to an end at some point, with the 49ers having drop 2 straight, I dunno how this game will play out, I dont like it, thats for sure if it tells you something.

Re: 5 Reasons the 49ers will beat the Saints
 

5 reasons the 49ers don't win sunday

5) Colin gets completely frustrated with the excessive crowd noise only a few stadiums are capable of on key downs
He rushes things and makes bad choices.
The Superdome has not been friendly to him

4) rushing game? Gore has been limited
defenses can stop the run and make SF one dimensional
then it just becomes containing Colin in the pocket

last year the Saints held him to like 60 yards on 13 carries (that included one big run)

3) Saints defense on the passing game
Vernon Davis or Bolden \ Keenan Lewis shut down corner
White and Bush are showing good improvement
49ers offensive line has been terrible this year

2) 49 D still missing some key components - they are still tough
Armstead (who wasn't there yet last year) will be a good plus in containing them

1) 49ers are losing momentum and pointing fingers
Saints are gaining momentum and confidence

Re: 5 Reasons the 49ers will beat the Saints
 

+1.

Re: 5 Reasons the 49ers will beat the Saints
 

Must have been a 49er fan that put this list together.

5) You would have to be a completely blind homer to think the 49ers lost last year on one questionable call. They were dominated in just about every facet of the game. The Saints out gained the 49ers 387 yards to 196, almost 2 to 1. The only reason the 49ers were in the game was the fact the Saints turned the ball over 3 times.

4) The fact that they're barely in 3rd in the division isn't a reason they'll win, it's an indication they're not very good.

3) Turnovers can be used as a reason for every single game played in the NFL. It's ironic that the writer used turnovers after Kaperdude choked the game away when he put the ball on the carpet in the closing seconds of the game last week. I didn't see the game, did he kiss his biceps after he lost the ball?

2) They may be 5th in rushing yards allowed but they're 10th in yards allowed per attempt. That's a much better indicator of how good a run defense is. 10th is good but nothing special and not much to hang your hat on, for instance Tampa Bay is better at 8th.

1) The fact the 49ers have not lost 3 in a row under Harbaugh is merely a statistical anomaly. The 49ers were better in the last three seasons than they are now. It means absolutely diddly squat about the game being played in New Orleans this Sunday. If anything, it could also be a motivator to the Saints players to be the team that does it to them first and can crush their playoff hopes.

Just 2 cents from a Saints fan.

Re: 5 Reasons the 49ers will beat the Saints
 

IMO, the 40-whiners realized they weren't going to win that game last year as long as Brees was playing, so they decided to 'sweep the leg'.

I am not saying it was Harbaugh or another coach or just the players themselves, but I will always feel that the clothes line was a deliberate act to get Brees out of the game.

Re: 5 Reasons the 49ers will beat the Saints
 

If we don't play sloppy like we did last year then this game will be a blowout. The only reason we won is because of unethical moves by the 9ers. ex. Kaepernick running out of bounds on 3rd down, horse-collar on Sproles. With the loudness of the dome there is no way we lose, Saints 35-10