New Orleans Saints: Complete roster breakdown vs. San Francisco 49ers
By Jason Reed
Offense:
Quarterback: Advantage, New Orleans Saints
This is a closer one than some may imagine but Drew Brees has looked a step slower in recent weeks and Jimmy Garoppolo is one of several young, promising quarterbacks.
However, Jimmy G still makes the inexperienced mistakes that any quarterback makes earlier in his career while Brees is still the best in the business in crunch time.
Running back: Advantage, San Francisco 49ers
Some Saint fans may refute this as Alvin Kamara is the most naturally talented back on the field and I would agree with that. The problem is that the Saints do not use Kamara as much as the 49ers use their backs.
The 49ers are a run-first offense and that is evident by the fact that the team ranks second to the Baltimore Ravens in rushing yards per game. The 49ers average over 40 more yards per game on the ground than the Saints, so they have to get the advantage here.
Wide receivers: Advantage, New Orleans Saints
The wide receiver corps is the one thin area of the 49ers’ offense and they addressed it at the trade deadline by adding Emmanuel Sanders. While there is some sneaky talent there, that corps is not good enough to beat out the Saints.
The Saints without Michael Thomas would not be good enough to beat out the 49ers. However, Thomas has been the best receiver in football this season and sways the receivers in favor of the Saints.
Tight end: Advantage, San Francisco 49ers
The Saints are actively trying to get Jared Cook more involved after a sluggish start to the year and George Kittle is one of the most electric tight ends we have ever seen. Do we even need to say more?
However, Kittle is battling injuries and playing through them and was limited in practice on Wednesday. If he doesn’t play, which we have every reason to think that he will play, the advantage swings the other way.
Offensive line: Advantage, New Orleans Saints
Both the Saints and 49ers have solid offensive lines and I thought about giving this in favor of the 49ers because of the Andrus Peat injury and the possibility of Terron Armstead not playing again.
However, the Saints still rank ahead of the 49ers in sacks allowed per game and have even been better the last three weeks while battling injury. Because of that, we cannot pick against New Orleans.