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NEW ORLEANS — With five wins in their previous six games, the resurgent New Orleans Saints were feeling like they were on the cusp of doing some big things going into their final six-game stretch of the season.

Things certainly set up nicely early Sunday when three teams that were just one game ahead of the Saints in the NFC wild-card race all lost before their game with the San Francisco 49ers even began.

It looked even better when Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson intercepted 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick just 38 seconds before halftime to give his offense a chance to extend a 14-7 lead.

But at that point it all began to unravel for the Saints when they gave up three touchdowns — two by the 49ers’ defense — in less than four minutes of clock time that led to a 31-21 loss in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

But just like that, the Saints (5-6) wasted the opportunity and remained one game out of the final playoff spot with a quick turnaround coming this week against the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome on Thursday night.

“We had to win,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. “It’s all right there in front of us.”

Read more: Hard-hitting 49ers defeat Saints, 31-21 | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

73Saint

I'm still in agony over this one

Rugby Saint II

I'll hold onto this for awhile.

Marlboro Man

Officials Turn Blind Eye and Allow Cheap Shotting 49ers Free Reign in Game Between Teams in the Dome.

What the headline should have read.

onebyone

Just thinking about this game makes me feel like I got punched stone cold in the face.

I haven't felt this horribly about the game since... the last time we played these guys. Ugh.

joker-saint

Is it still possible to make it to the playoffs? If the Saints win all of their divisional games including the one againast the Falcons they would be 5-1 in their division. Doesn't this make them the division champs, even if Atlanta goes 14-2?

joker-saint

With that in mind try to imagine a rematch of Saints and Niners in Sanfrancisco. If that happens, and that is a VERY big IF......It is a good thing they lost on Sunday. Losing to the Niners gave them fuel for the fire if they meet again in the playoffs.

AlaskaSaints

It's all a blur. I recorded it but can't bring myself to watch it. Seriously.

Alaska

jeanpierre

No, it is best record...

Our only chance is a wild card as ATL only needs one more win and a TB loss to clinch the division; and our chances took a major hit with a conference loss yesterday...