New Orleans or San Francisco

[J-Mike88]

I'm looking ahead, but we fans and the media can do that. Of course players and coaches shouldn't do it. But I know for a fact they do.

Assuming they stay the #2 (SF) & #3 (NO) seeds, and assuming Brees' Saints beat the #6 seed in New Orleans comfortable, climate-controlled, 72-degrees, windless dome, they will then travel to San Francisco and play in some weather, on grass, against a good defense, with a good running game.

Some would say the Niners are better in all facets of their game than the Seahawks were last year when they beat the Saints. We're all well-aware of 2 things: Brees and that offense are red hot, almost unstoppable, in domes (except in the Rams dome), and they are not as good outdoors.



I guess the Niners having more Pro Bowlers than either the Saints or Packers must mean they are better.....


All that BS aside, who will win?
I think Vegas will have this about a pick em.
I will leave vote open only for 3 days to end before this weekend's games and leave them public so we can factor out all the homer-votes.

[49erNation85]

I would love to say SF would win .But Honestly I doubt Smith can beat the Saints maybe if Brees has a bad day or it is in Sf and outside.

[Raiderz4Life]

Chances are Brees and Co. make it a shoot out....SF has top notch redzone defense but NOLA can strike from anywhere and I don't think San Fran has the fire power to keep up.

[VernonLawson89]

I think the 49ers have a chance at home in a close game, but in NO, no chance for SF.

[WinslowBodden]

2010 Saints are not the same team as the 2011 Saints.

See last week.

[keylime_5]

Niners beat them last year at home when the niners sucked on MNF didn't they? Their defense is legit and the fact that they would be at home is big. That Saints offense won't be the same outside in San Fran in January as it would be in that dome. It would be THE matchup to watch in the playoffs.

[CJSchneider]

If this game happens, which I'm pretty sure it will, I am going to be beside myself.

[soybean]

the 9ers will field goal you to death.

[Ness]

Originally Posted by keylime_5

Niners beat them last year at home when the niners sucked on MNF didn't they? Their defense is legit and the fact that they would be at home is big. That Saints offense won't be the same outside in San Fran in January as it would be in that dome. It would be THE matchup to watch in the playoffs.

No. The 49ers lost game 25-22. Drew Brees marched down the field in the remaining seconds of the game and led the team to a last second field goal. I was pissed about that game because Mike Singletary went nuclear on a news reporter earlier in the week.

Anyways, I sense that it will be a similar game. I'm guessing Saints score around 25 points. Maybe like what we saw against the Cowboys. It will be up to the 49ers to keep pace. I just hope the 49ers defense doesn't keep rushing four defenders all day long. Hopefully Aldon Smith has a good game. The advantage San Francisco might have is that they'll be heavily doubted against New Orleans if they make it to San Francisco. Especially if they blow out their opponent wild card weekend. And the 49ers have played their best football with their backs against the wall.

If the 49ers lose that game, I already know who will be criticized. It will be Alex Smith. All of the "experts" have said all season long that they don't believe the 49ers can go far in the playoffs even with this defense because they can't count on Alex Smith to lead the 49ers to a come from behind victory and/or keep up in a shootout. Unfortunately, they have a point. Until Alex shows he can carry a team, he will never fully be accepted here in San Francisco. That's just the way it is, and quite frankly that's the way it should be.

[SickwithIt1010]

Being out of the dome is going to be a huge advantage for the 9ers if they get home field for this game. I think it would help them a ton just to be playing outside against the Pack as well. This team is built for a grind it out game. If the weather has any type of conditions, it would give them a huge advantage. However, if Brees and that offense is striking like they have been as of late, I cant see the 9ers being able to keep up.

[Ness]

It will be interesting to see how Sproles fares on turf. He was good on turf in San Deigo, so I guess it shouldn't effect him too much. The 49ers aren't that great on the screen in my opinion. Well in years past anyways. But they've been decent this season against it. Having Willis and Bowman are going to be crucial to stopping him. That guy probably worries me the most. That and the 49ers offensive inability to convert third downs. Which leads to giving the ball back to Brees and company.

[CJSchneider]

Originally Posted by Ness

No. The 49ers lost game 25-22. Drew Brees marched down the field in the remaining seconds of the game and led the team to a last second field goal. I was pissed about that game because Mike Singletary went nuclear on a news reporter earlier in the week.

2:56 is where he lies.

[Ness]

God that man was a moron when it came to being an NFL head coach.

[Raiderz4Life]

lmao that's hilarious

[descendency]

The Saints are a different team outdoors. I'll take the 49ers in a low scoring game.

[J-Mike88]

Originally Posted by descendency

The Saints are a different team outdoors. I'll take the 49ers in a low scoring game.

The Saints are not too excited to go to San Fran I can tell you that.

They cannot believe that their (Saints) loss to the Rams is the one that is going to cost them A) a bye and B) a home game vs the Niners.

Ironically, the Niners must win this week at St Louis too, in order to get that #2 seed.

If they can do what the Saints could not, they deserve the 2 seed, the bye, and the home game vs the Saints. If they too lose at the Rams (Steven Jackson), then they deserve to have to play Detroit or Atlanta and then, if they win, go to New Orleans where I think Brees would carve them up like a plastic surgeon on Jaon Rivers' face.

I can't wait!

[J-Mike88]

Originally Posted by WinslowBodden

2010 Saints are not the same team as the 2011 Saints.

Wasn't it the 2011 Saints who lost to the 2011 Rams and 2011 Bucs?

[Ness]

It's really annoying hearing on the radio New Orleans vs. Green Bay. As if it's already decided.

[RaiderNation]

I have the Saints, especially if it's in New Orleans. It will be a very close game if the Saints play at San Francisco in the cold weather.

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by descendency

The Saints are a different team outdoors. I'll take the 49ers in a low scoring game.

Are we? Because performances against Jacksonville and Tennessee contradict that. Heck, even though it was in a losing effort our offense traveled pretty damn well to Green Bay as well minus an early Marques Colston fumble. *shrugs* I think it's an extremely over-exaggerated point and guess it'll keep being brought up until proven otherwise and I'm fine with that.

[J-Mike88]

Originally Posted by J-Mike88

Wasn't it the 2011 Saints who lost to the 2011 Rams and 2011 Bucs?

no explanation for that .... The 2011 Rams and Bucs are horseshit, and you found a way to get 2 L's there..... in 2011.

[Jughead10]

Originally Posted by J-Mike88

no explanation for that .... The 2011 Rams and Bucs are horseshit, and you found a way to get 2 L's there..... in 2011.

They also lost at Seattle in the playoffs last year so of course losing at San Francisco is extremely possible.

[prock]

Saints aren't that good away from home. I would take the 9ers at Candlestick.

[AntoinCD]

Originally Posted by prock

Saints aren't that good away from home. I would take the 9ers at Candlestick.

I agree with this. I'm not sure any team, Packers included, would beat the Saints at home at the minute. However get the Saints out doors and they are very beatable. I think the 49ers would control the clock and win a relatively low scoring game against the Saints

[Brent]

January in SF means rain. I think that would play into the Niners' hands.