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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said there's never been a game he felt was a perfect offensive performance. Not even Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, when the Saints set an NFL record for first downs (40), rushed for their highest total in 23 years (242 yards) and set a franchise record for total yards (625).

But he had to admit, as far as perfect games go: "Rarely do you get that close."

Against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, the Saints likely will need another big offensive performance against a defense coach Sean Payton dubbed the best he's seen all season.

"This is a very good defensive front," Payton said. "They are physical. They have guys on the back end that are exceptional in coverage. The corners do a great job within their team."

The 49ers' defense has been top five for several years. And they haven't gotten any worse, Brees said with a smile.

"As good as they've ever been," he said. "Just an expectation level every time you play these guys, they're extremely disciplined, very talented, a lot of great players."

The 49ers are ranked No. 6 in total defense, No. 9 in passing defense and No. 11 in rushing defense. And they've mostly been doing it without outside linebacker Aldon Smith, the 2012 NFC Defensive Player of the Year, who left the team in late September to seek substance abuse treatment and just returned last week.

Smith, with 4.5 sacks, is still second on the team in that category despite missing several games. He's been successful getting to Brees in both meetings, hitting him six times and generating 2.5 sacks.

Saints linebacker Parys Haralson, who was traded from the 49ers earlier in the season, recalled the importance of getting pressure on Brees during their games. The 49ers were able to sack Brees nine times and get an addition 14 hits on him.


"He does a great job. This is my first year here watching him in practice, you see why he's actually that good," Haralson said. "Knowing he goes out and the way he prepares, preparation is everything."



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Papa Voodoo

Let's hope he doesn't have to pass up Moon and we can run for at least 100.

QBREES9

Run the ball.

|Mitch|

Going to be tough running against the 9ers...

SmashMouth

Grambeaux will have a great game as a consequence of their focus on the run.

|Mitch|

They're a great all-around defense, they won't have to focus anymore than usual to stop our run-game... It's going to be up to Drew to set-up the run and pass.

Our only hope is that they have to use LB's in coverage far to often and Drew keeps the safeties playing away from the line of scrimmage...

Vrillon82

I think had we had Sean Payton last year, Drew Brees would of knocked off the 49ers instead of throwing 2 pick 6's.

I think this year with the crew back together, 49ers stand no chance in hell.

hagan714

after the way our OL played against a one legged cowgirl defense? the niners are licking their lips and can not wait to get after Drew.