Saints vs 49ers
By: Jake Rajala
It is always a blood-bath when the Saints meet the 49ers. Ever since Vernon Davis scored a touchdown against the Saints in the playoffs with little time left, the Saints have had a chip on their shoulder since then. The Saints will be leaning on Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough at QB. Of course, the 49ers are moving forward with the recently signed QB Brock Purdy!
The 49ers need Christian McCaffrey to have a big day. He was Offensive Player of The Year in 2023. CMAC will be going up against a Saints defense that was 30th in rushing yards per game allowed. Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan aren’t the gifted defenders they once were.
Tyler Shough/ Spencer Rattler have different tools. Shough showed that he can run a pro style offense in college. Spencer Rattler proved in camp that he can be in command of the offense and know where each weapon’s job is.
These QBs will face off against none other than Brock Purdy. Purdy had a modest 82.4 PFF grade last season. This was solid given that CMAC was injured and Deebo Samuel looked like a shell of his once self.
Purdy will be facing off against a Saints defense that ranked 30th in passing yards allowed last season. To make matters worse, the Saints let Paulson Adebo leave (after trading Marshon Lattimore in the middle of last season).
The 49ers are 3-2 against the Saints over their past five match-ups. After the Saints were shut out in their first meeting, It has been quite high scoring. So, I expect nothing else than fireworks to go off.
I’m not sure if this game will be a battle for the first seed, but each team needs to have momentum early in the season. As noted, the Saints defense is blatantly not good. So, the Saints defense has to pull out some creative blitzes.
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