After the Saints’ domination of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week combined with the Niners being depleted on offense, we were expecting a lopsided affair. It was close for a bit but the Saints finally pulled away in the second half and won 27-13.
First Quarter
The 49ers started on their own 35 and after a few plays, it was apparent that they couldn’t run the ball. Nick Mullens mixed it up with some short passes and drove the Niners down the field. He hit Brandon Aiyuk for a four-yard score and struck first. SF 7-0.
After each team had a chance at scoring, the ball came back to the Niners. They capitalized on a big pass to Ross Dwelley and a penalty on David Onyemata to get into field goal range in New Orleans territory. The Saints defense would hold and Robbie Gould kicked a 32-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.
Second Quarter
Deonte Harris returned the kickoff 75 yards to get the Saints excellent field position at the SF 25. After a six-yard loss on the ground by Alvin Kamara and a couple of incompletions, Wil Lutz hit a 49-yard field goal to cut the lead to 10-3.
A muffed punt put the Saints back in Niners territory after a few failed drives. An ugly few plays ensued but ultimately wound up with a Kamara two-yard run off the left side in for the score. The game was tied 10-10.
The Niners used a few shorter passes to get into Saints territory. The drive would eventually stall when the Saints stuffed a run on 4th-and-1. The first of Drew Brees’ passes to Kamara went for eight yards but then the running back exploded for a 34-yard gain. After a couple of fumble debacles, Brees finally hits Kamara for a TD. Saints 17-10.
Third Quarter
Jameis Winston started the second half at quarterback surprisingly. After an 11-yard pass, the Saints couldn’t manage another first down. On the ensuing drive, Mullens drove the Niners down to the Saints 33. Malcolm Jenkins came up with a key interception and set the New Orleans offense up at their own 33-yard line.
The third quarter ended after a few punts and the Saints with the ball.
Fourth Quarter
With Winston at quarterback, the Saints marched down the field spreading the ball around. They got stopped at the San Fran five-yard line and settled for a field goal to make the game 20-10 Saints. The next Niners drive ended in a punt after C.J. Beathard took over for Mullens.
The next punt was muffed and the Saints took over and scored in a few plays with Kamara running it in. Saints 27-10.
Mullens drove the Niners down the field to settle for a field goal to make the score 27-13 New Orleans.
Just when it looked like the Saints were going to drive down and put the finishing touch on the game, they fumbled.
The Niners drove down the field with a couple of big plays to Jordan Reed and Aiyuk. Shortly after that Patrick Robinson picked off Mullens and got the ball back for the Saints sealing the victory.
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
