49ers vs. Saints: Why 49ers Will Beat the Saints

The San Francisco 49ers play the New Orleans Saints today. With this recent rivalry coming into its own, how will the team respond coming off the bye week?

Since their 2011 divisional round playoff game, a game in which the 49ers upset the visiting Saints 36-32, the teams have played in the regular season every year except 2015. Yes, this is mostly due to their division rankings to end each season. But this is becoming a rivalry. The 49ers and Saints were once a part of the old NFC West. So, it’s kind of a rivalry renewed.

Not too long ago, there was the bad call on linebacker Ahmad Brooks in 2013. If you remember, he had his arm on Saints quarterback Drew Brees‘ neck. That play resulted in a hit-to-the-head penalty, negating the resulting turnover. The 49ers led 20-17 with less than 10 minutes to play. It was a game-changer because the Saints took the lead, never to surrender it. The 49ers lost four games and the NFC West Title to the 13-3 Seattle Seahawks. They lost in Seattle during the NFC Championship that year.

Of course too, there was the dominant comeback-laced performance in 2012’s playoffs and quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s second career start that same year. These games have things heating up. Add in the 2009 and 10 regular season match-ups and you’ve really got something.

The point of all this though, is there are a few reasons the Niners will win today, but here are the top 2.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly watches play during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2- The Niners are coming off their bye week, and while head coach Chip Kelly doesn’t do well off the bye, this team needs to break their rythm of losing.

According to Aaron Kasinitz of Pennlive.com, in 2015 Kelly said the following about the NFL’s bye week.

“Bye weeks take you out of your rhythm,” Kelly said. “I’d rather keep training, to be honest.”

Kelly has a losing record in his career after bye weeks, so you can understand his feelings.

But, this Niner team, losers of six straight games, needs a shake-up. It can do nothing but good for them. Plus, Center Daniel Kilgore was quoted this week as saying “There’s a sense of pissed off” around the team.

It all adds up, to me.

Sep 14, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fans point out their favorite players during warm-ups prior to their NFL football game with the Chicago Bears at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1- The Niners are at home and Drew Brees isn’t great on grass fields.

Yes, the 3-4 New Orleans Saints did just defeat the 4-2-1 Seattle Seahawks by a score of 25-20. Yes the Saints boast the NFL’s No. 2 overall offense vs. the Niners’ 32nd-ranked defense. But these stats may not matter when you look at the Saints recent history and Brees’ history overall.

I’m sure in Week 2 of 2014, myself included, that everyone thought the Saints would win on the road against the Cleveland Browns

Final Score- 26-24 Browns.

Why did this happen? Admittedly, the Saints ended up not being very good. But, home-field aside, would the Browns have beaten Brees and the Saints in the Super Dome?

Probably not, because Brees isn’t as comfortable on grass.