New Orleans (4-7) will be in search of back-to-back wins against NFC West foes as they will head out west to take on the San Francisco 49ers (6-4). The Saints offense was able to get back on track against the Rams last Sunday as Andy Dalton was able to find his receivers in the endzone three times. New Orleans will have to repeat that performance against a scrappy San Francisco team.
New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers Game Information:
Current Records: New Orleans Saints (4-7) @ San Francisco 49ers (6-4)
Date/Time: November 27th @ 3:25 p.m. CT
Where: Levi’s Stadium; Santa Clara, CA.
Where to Watch: FOX (Commentators: Play-By-Play Kevin Burkhardt, Analyst Greg Olsen, Reporter Erin Andrews)
Spread: 49ers (-9.5)
New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers Series History:
San Francisco leads the all-time series against New Orleans, 48-27-2. The last meeting between the two teams came during the 2020 season where the Saints took down the 49ers in the Caesar’s Superdome, 27-13.
Previewing the Saints Heading into Week 12:
The Saints offense was able to flex their muscle against a veteran Los Angeles Rams defense on Sunday. Dalton threw just four incompletions on his way to throwing for 260 passing yards and three touchdown through the air. The black and gold got a boost on offense with the return of Jarvis Landry.
Landry was able to have a successful return back from injury as he hauled in his first touchdown with the Saints. Landry wasn’t the only pass catcher to have a good day against the Rams as Chris Olave continued an impressive rookie campaign and Juwan Johnson added to his touchdown total over the previous five games.
Alvin Kamara and the running game was once again held in check by Aaron Donald and company. Even with the running game continuing to get going, the passing attack was able to lead the Saints to a much-needed win on Sunday afternoon.
New Orleans will look to get back some key players on the defensive side as Marshon Lattimore, Marcus Davenport and Cameron Jordan were all limited participants during Wednesday’s practice. In other news, J.T. Gray, Payton Turner and Pete Werner were absent from yesterday’s practice. It would be beneficial to get back to full strength on defense as they are facing a San Francisco offense that put it on the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night.
Scouting the Saints Opponent: 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are looking to continue their winning ways as they look to stay in the NFC West race with the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers was able to dominate the Cardinals on Monday night from start to finish as they were able to defeat Arizona, 38-10. The offense for the 49ers was able to travel down south in Mexico and they will look to continue that momentum during a short week.
Jimmy Garoppolo had a day through the air as he was able to rack up 228 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns were to George Kittle who was the leading receiver for San Francisco. Kittle won’t be the only weapon that the Saints defense will have to put up with as the other pass catchers are just as talented.
Deebo Samuel is coming off a 57 yard receiving night on Monday and Brandon Aiyuk was able to haul in two touchdowns. New Orleans will see a familiar face coming out of the backfield as Christian McCaffrey got traded to the 49ers at the midseason trade deadline. McCaffrey spent the start of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers and now the Saints will have to gameplan against the star running back. The former Stanford product has shown that he has the playmaking ability on the ground and through the air.
The 49ers defense also had their fair share of success against Arizona as they were able to shut down the Cardinals in the second half. San Francisco has playmakers on all three levels on their defense. Nick Bosa is the leader up front for the defensive line, while Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw man the middle of the defense at the linebacker position.
Charvaius Ward and Talanoa Hufanga have emerged as a star at the safety position. The 49ers have also benefited from the return of Jimmie Ward in the secondary.
Prediction for Saints @ 49ers:
The Saints are underdogs heading into their week 12 matchup against the 49ers. It will be critical for the Saints defense to bring their A game if they want a chance to upset San Francisco. The offense also has to travel and be able to continue an impressive performance against the Rams defense in week 11.
McCaffrey has given the Saints defense trouble as his time with the Carolina Panthers. It will help out the black and gold if Lattimore can return to lock up on Samuel. Samuel also has playmaking capabilities that can confuse an opposing cornerback.
This matchup always comes down to the wire, but given the way the 49ers have been playing on both sides of the ball it’s hard to bet against San Francisco.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints 17, San Francisco 49ers 31
