Saints on grass

[Jikkle]

If all goes well for the 49ers that's about what we can hope for. I don't see the Saints, with that offense, scoring less than 27 points and I don't see the 49ers, with their offense, scoring more than 24.

You're focusing too much on Saint's the dome team.

They are giving the illusion they are "peaking" because they haven't played outside a dome since Dec 11th and their past 3 games have been at home.

And let me say that I'm not suggesting that we're going to hold them to 10 or even that we'll win the game.

But the Saint's will be outside and on the road for the 1st time in a while playing against a defense that's the best in the league, has a weeks rest, and an edge in preparation. I'd be shocked if they roll over us like everyone is predicting and I believe the score is going to surprise people in the end.

 

[deep9er]

You're focusing too much on Saint's the dome team.

They are giving the illusion they are "peaking" because they haven't played outside a dome since Dec 11th and their past 3 games have been at home.

And let me say that I'm not suggesting that we're going to hold them to 10 or even that we'll win the game.

But the Saint's will be outside and on the road for the 1st time in a while playing against a defense that's the best in the league, has a weeks rest, and an edge in preparation. I'd be shocked if they roll over us like everyone is predicting and I believe the score is going to surprise people in the end.

i agree, somebody is focusing too hard on the Saints......at home.

they'll move downfield and get their yards, but won't run up the score UNLESS, we turn it over? Detroit held them down in the 1st half, so i see similar in SF except Saints don't explode in the 2nd.

the 49ers have to play well first and if so, have a fair chance of winning.

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

You're focusing too much on Saint's the dome team.

They are giving the illusion they are "peaking" because they haven't played outside a dome since Dec 11th and their past 3 games have been at home.

And let me say that I'm not suggesting that we're going to hold them to 10 or even that we'll win the game.

But the Saint's will be outside and on the road for the 1st time in a while playing against a defense that's the best in the league, has a weeks rest, and an edge in preparation. I'd be shocked if they roll over us like everyone is predicting and I believe the score is going to surprise people in the end.

I guess you are right. If the Broncos can win then anything can happen. The huge disparity in talent and all the playoff experience is going to be tough for the 49ers to overcome though. I'm not expecting anything so I am very relaxed for this game.

 

[tzill]

You're focusing too much on Saint's the dome team.

They are giving the illusion they are "peaking" because they haven't played outside a dome since Dec 11th and their past 3 games have been at home.

And let me say that I'm not suggesting that we're going to hold them to 10 or even that we'll win the game.

But the Saint's will be outside and on the road for the 1st time in a while playing against a defense that's the best in the league, has a weeks rest, and an edge in preparation. I'd be shocked if they roll over us like everyone is predicting and I believe the score is going to surprise people in the end.

He's a fucking CONCERN TROLL. He lives to focus on the negative. Don't expect logic from him, he just posts negative shit to get attention. Ignore him and he'll talk to himself.

 

[Jikkle]

I guess you are right. If the Broncos can win then anything can happen. The huge disparity in talent and all the playoff experience is going to be tough for the 49ers to overcome though. I'm not expecting anything so I am very relaxed for this game.

There isn't a huge disparity in talent.

They have it more on the offensive side, we obviously have it more on the defensive side. I mean we're tied for first in that amount of players sent to the Pro Bowl and not sure on this one but I also believe we had the most All-Pros too.

Typically when a high powered offense plays a great defense they meet somewhere in the middle in terms of scoring.

So I'm going to call my shot and say 20-17 49ers win.

Harbaugh and staff have shown they excel in preparation and scheming so they aren't going to waste that extra time they are getting with the bye.

Saint's aren't great at stopping the run and the bye week has afforded Gore the ability to rest, heal up, and have some fresher legs going into the game. So I believe the run game will be successful and we'll be effectively shorten the game.

Defensively I expect us to be in Nickel and employ the same defensive strategy as we did against the Lions. Take a hit on run defense but maximize pass coverage and pass rush.

And let's not forget our good buddy Andy Lee who will make sure to pin them nice and deep and force them to good long lengths of the field to score.

If we go brain dead and lax like we did against the Cardinals than we'll lose no question. But we have everything we need to do to win the game and it all comes down to if we stay sharp and execute for the entire game.

 

[Flyingiguana]

18-17 niners win.

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

There isn't a huge disparity in talent.

They have it more on the offensive side, we obviously have it more on the defensive side. I mean we're tied for first in that amount of players sent to the Pro Bowl and not sure on this one but I also believe we had the most All-Pros too.

Typically when a high powered offense plays a great defense they meet somewhere in the middle in terms of scoring.

So I'm going to call my shot and say 20-17 49ers win.

Harbaugh and staff have shown they excel in preparation and scheming so they aren't going to waste that extra time they are getting with the bye.

Saint's aren't great at stopping the run and the bye week has afforded Gore the ability to rest, heal up, and have some fresher legs going into the game. So I believe the run game will be successful and we'll be effectively shorten the game.

Defensively I expect us to be in Nickel and employ the same defensive strategy as we did against the Lions. Take a hit on run defense but maximize pass coverage and pass rush.

And let's not forget our good buddy Andy Lee who will make sure to pin them nice and deep and force them to good long lengths of the field to score.

If we go brain dead and lax like we did against the Cardinals than we'll lose no question. But we have everything we need to do to win the game and it all comes down to if we stay sharp and execute for the entire game.

Wouldn't that be something? I would not be surprised at a 27-21 Saints win or a 42 to 20 Saints win. I'd be completely shocked at a Niner win though. But, as I said, If the Broncos can win then the 49ers can win.

 

[deep9er]

I guess you are right. If the Broncos can win then anything can happen. The huge disparity in talent and all the playoff experience is going to be tough for the 49ers to overcome though. I'm not expecting anything so I am very relaxed for this game.

this is almost the way i'll approach it too, cause no matter what happens i'm already happy for this season. i'm saying 'almost' cause do give us a fair chance of winning, close to 50/50.

wait.........ok, will be 'ranting' a little if we "give it away". otherwise if the Saints are better that day, they'll earn it.

 

[deep9er]

18-17 niners win.

think the Saints will be in the twenties, something like two TD's and four FG's for 26 points? so the question will be if the 49ers can score enough touchdowns vice field goals?

their defense isn't stout so we'll move downfield enough times on offense.

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

this is almost the way i'll approach it too, cause no matter what happens i'm already happy for this season. i'm saying 'almost' cause do give us a fair chance of winning, close to 50/50.

wait.........ok, will be 'ranting' a little if we "give it away". otherwise if the Saints are better that day, they'll earn it.

I hope they don't just give it away but the season has been great and if the better team wins I can't get upset. I think it is just the 49ers' bad luck that they are running into the hottest team in the league for their first playoff game. The Niners did everything possible to get the best advantage they could in the playoffs; that they got unlucky enough to catch the Saints first is just the way the chips fell.

 

[Flyingiguana]

think the Saints will be in the twenties, something like two TD's and four FG's for 26 points? so the question will be if the 49ers can score enough touchdowns vice field goals?

their defense isn't stout so we'll move downfield enough times on offense.

i think the saints will go for it and get stuffed instead of those field goals. my super computer has already factored in those drives

 

[EKmane]

I hope they don't just give it away but the season has been great and if the better team wins I can't get upset. I think it is just the 49ers' bad luck that they are running into the hottest team in the league for their first playoff game. The Niners did everything possible to get the best advantage they could in the playoffs; that they got unlucky enough to catch the Saints first is just the way the chips fell.

That hot team is O.K. That hot team might not be playing next week if the Lions hold onto at least two of those picks. You see, the thing about Brees is that he'll give you some chances to beat him, you just have to take advantage of it, in Lions case hold onto the picks. We won't drop those picks, plus we'll bring more pressure. The Saints also aren't that good against the pass and will be looking at film of the preseason. You know they are going to try their hand with the blitz. Harbaugh and Roman know this and will be getting the ball out of Smith's hand in under 2 seconds. Our biggest thing will be to hold onto the passes. If we can do that then we'll basically be playing keep away from a great offense. We are capable of executing this plan and sending the Saints marching back to N.O. with a loss. The playaction pass will be our bestfriend that day.

 

[Flyingiguana]

playaction pass still scares me. especially with how aggressive the saints are blitzing. by the time smith turns around there will be someone in his face. so unless we can get the saints to back off we should go more shotgun instead of trying to playaction.

 

[EKmane]

playaction pass still scares me. especially with how aggressive the saints are blitzing. by the time smith turns around there will be someone in his face. so unless we can get the saints to back off we should go more shotgun instead of trying to playaction.

Your thinking playaction roll out, I'm not talking about that. We are going to need the playaction though. The shotgun is good for 3rd downs and everything, just not on regular running downs. We need to keep them off balance.
Your right about the roll outs though, I'd stay away from those with them blitzing Saints.

 

[h-hour]

45-35 San Fran! All points off Akers fg's!!!

 

[Flyingiguana]

Your thinking playaction roll out, I'm not talking about that. We are going to need the playaction though. The shotgun is good for 3rd downs and everything, just not on regular running downs. We need to keep them off balance.
Your right about the roll outs though, I'd stay away from those with them blitzing Saints.

nope i'm not thinking that. the saints will overload one side and someone will come free. if it seems like they're gonna come after smith we shouldn't play action.

 

[MHSL82]

think the Saints will be in the twenties, something like two TD's and four FG's for 26 points? so the question will be if the 49ers can score enough touchdowns vice field goals?

their defense isn't stout so we'll move downfield enough times on offense.

How about they score two TDs and four FGs and we score four TDs and two FGs. Deal?

 

[MHSL82]

I hope they don't just give it away but the season has been great and if the better team wins I can't get upset. I think it is just the 49ers' bad luck that they are running into the hottest team in the league for their first playoff game. The Niners did everything possible to get the best advantage they could in the playoffs; that they got unlucky enough to catch the Saints first is just the way the chips fell.

Especially if the better team is the Niners.

 

[bigpb72]

Brees is going to shred the 49ers secondary. This is a secondary that was only 5th in the NFL in holding opposing QBs to a 73.6 passer rating. They only ranked 2nd in the NFL with 23 interceptions. And their pass rush, they barely ranked 7th with 42 sacks.

As for Smith, he has to contend with a defense that ranked 19th in sacks and 28 in interceptions. When you think of Smith, who had the least amount of interceptions in the NFL with 5, having to throw against a defense that intercepted 9 passes all year, it's down right scary

 

[EKmane]

nope i'm not thinking that. the saints will overload one side and someone will come free. if it seems like they're gonna come after smith we shouldn't play action.

Play action doesn't take as long as your picturing. I think we need it (of course not every play) to keep the effect of a power running team. The shotgun takes away our running illusion. We have to keep them on their heels. We are going to have to run, play action, then play action to run. Throw in tons of drop back passes, while reserving the shotguns for absolute passing downs. Their blitz isn't as scary as your making it out to be, there is no way we should abandon our power sets. If we go to a majority shotgun plan then we're putting it all in Smith's hands and I doubt if we're ready to go Smith vs Brees.
49ers Training Camp - Alex Smith pass to Bryan Gilmore - YouTube
If the line can't give him 2 seconds then we will probably just have to go shotgun (one dimensional) it'll be a long day.