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NO-SF GRADES: DREW BREES EARNS GAME-HIGH GRADE IN SAINTS WIN

49ers overmatched on both sides of the ball in Week 9 loss to the Saints.

Wes Huber | Nov 6 2016

New Orleans Saints 41, San Francisco 49ers 23

Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players from the New Orleans Saints’ 41-23 Week 9 victory over the San Francisco 49ers:

New Orleans Saints

Quarterback grade: Drew Brees, 82.9

Another day at the office for Mr. Brees

Drew Brees left the field in this one as the game’s top player. The 49ers were able to pressure Brees on seven dropbacks, but on the 12 plays on which they utilized a blitz, Brees instantly identified the coverage flaws and averaged 13.8 yards per attempt at an 83.3 completion percentage. Brees proved especially lethal targeting depths of 10 yards or greater, completing 7-of-11 such attempts for 145 yards, including a 32-yard strike to rookie WR Michael Thomas.

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Top offensive grades:

C Max Unger, 82.0

WR Michael Thomas, 81.9

RB Mark Ingram, 78.5

RT Zach Strief, 74.1

RG Jahri Evans, 73.2

Saints win with a balanced, patient offensive attack

When Brees wasn’t distributing completions to 10 different receivers – without a single dropped pass — the offensive line skillfully paved lanes for the backfield to generate 250 rushing yards and a 5.9 per-carry average. While RB Tim Hightower would draw the start and lead the backfield with 23 carries, RB Mark Ingram was the star and ably placed himself firmly back into the offensive game plan. After surrendering a fumble returned for a touchdown in Week 8 against the Seahawks, Ingram exploded to collect 85 percent of his 158 rushing yards on runs between the guards, including a 75-yard touchdown run off of right center. Rookie wideout Michael Thomas from Ohio State also played an integral role in the victory, scoring on a one-yard back-shoulder fade within CB Jimmie Ward’s coverage, and another on a high-pointed 32-yard dart collected over the coverage of Tramaine Brock.

Top defensive grades:

FS Jairus Byrd, 79.2

CB Delvin Breaux, 78.1

ED Cameron Jordan, 77.5

LB Craig Robertson, 76.7

CB Sterling Moore, 75.4

Early blunders nearly surrender lead

The most memorable factor taken from the defensive performance of the Saints came from busted coverages. The New Orleans defense likely gave the impression that 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick had revived his career. Even in the second half when the Saints held their opponent to three points, most of the credit would fall upon the abysmal play by the 49ers’ offense. Saints SS Kenny Vaccaro was torched for 133 receiving yards on seven targets – 70 of which were collected by TE Vance McDonald.

PFF Game-Ball Winner: Drew Brees

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