pumpkindriver

The one thing thats rarely talked about is whether or not the 9ers O line can protect Smith. I don't think they can, and while it was a preseason game, we did sack him a bunch of times. As good as their D is, their O is anemic and we should hold them to around 20-23 points at the most. The way our O has been playing I don't see their D holding us to under 30.
Saints-31
Niners-23

saintfan

If we have success slowing their run game, and I mean slowing - we don't necessarily have to stop it altogether - then Smith is in for a very long day.

iceshack149

Gore's a great RB but here's how some of the better RB's have played against the Saints recently.

Michael Turner 11 for 39yds

Jacquizz Rodgers 1 for -1yds

Chris Johnson 11 for 23yds

Adrian Peterson 10 for 60yds

Toby Gerhart 2 for 12yds

Stats found on Official Site of the New Orleans Saints

This game doesn't scare me. Good for Alex Smith being the game manager of the year but this is the divisional round of the playoffs. He is an average QB going against the best QB in the league.

joker-saint

I like your guess pumpkindriver. I did an analysis of the two team stats and this is what I came up with:

Saints Offense

Average 334. 2 passing
Average 132.9 rushing

Niners Defense

Average 230.9 passing
Average 77.2 rushing

Final statistic:

Saints get 282.55 passing and 105.5 rushing = 387.60 yards
Average field position on kickoff is on the 20 yard line so that would give the Saints 4.85 scoring opportunity's which equals 4 TDs and 3 FGs 37points.
387.60 divided by 80 equals 4.84

On the Niners side

Niners offense

Average 183.1 passing
Average 127.8 rushing

Saints defense

Average 259.8 passing
Average 108.6 rushing

Final statistic:
Niners get 221.45 passing and 118.2 rushing = 339.65 yards
Average field position on kickoff is on the 20 yard line so that would give the Niners 4.24 scoring opportunity's which equals 4 TDs and 1 FG 31points.
339.65 divided by 80 equals 4.24

Final score:

Saints 37
Niners 31