If the Niners can't beat the Saints at home this weekend, their season will be over. At 2-4, San Francisco has little margin left for error, needing to win at least seven of 10 to make the playoffs. The good news is, the combined record of the Niners' next four opponents is 7-20, and they face only three teams that are currently .500 or better the rest of the season. The first winning streak is going to have to start this Sunday at home. Most likely, the 49ers are going to have to beat every team with a record of .500 or below on their schedule just to have a prayer of a shot at January football.
After an 0-4 start and a few bad losses on national television, New Orleans beat Seattle in Week 6, which was huge for all 3 teams. The Saints, because finally it was a win, and the Niners and Seahawks because right now,it is keeping the pathetic NFC "Worst" Division lead within reach for the 49ers. After, New Orleans came home last week and took care of business against Atlanta. In their two wins, the Saints have scored a total of 50 points after putting up just 51 the previous four weeks. Meanwhile, the 49ers are headed in the opposite direction. Losers of four straight, with an offense in disarray and players starting to voice their frustrations, the wheels look as if they're ready to fall off. But a win this week could begin to change everything - it has to.
After sitting Alex Smith against New York last week. Nolan has to put up or shut up with his "face of the franchise". With Trent Dilfer under center, the offense is an anemic, turnover machine. Somehow the offensive line will have to find a way to keep Smith off his back and give him time to find his targets. With Darrell Jackson out, look for Arnaz Battle, Ashlie Leile and Vernon Davis to be doing their best to get open down field. The question is: Will Smith show some leadership, some pocket awareness, and probably most importantly have some time to find them? The O-line has been the most disappointing unit on the team, not opening up any holes for Frank Gore and leaking like a sieve on pass protection. Gore is a question mark because of a bad ankle, and will most likely be a game time decision.Moment of truth time, boys. If the offense can't begin to carry its weight, the defense and special teams can't be expected to pitch shutouts. If the 49ers don't beat the Saints, Atlanta and St Louis in the next four weeks, their season is over, and Mike Nolan's job might be too. I believe the futures of both Nolan and Alex Smith hang in the balance of the next month. Gut Check time. Plain and simple.
Prediction - 49ers give it a better effort on home soil than last week, but Brees looks like the Brees from last year. Close game at halftime gets blown open in second as Niners defense tires and breaks.
Saints 24 - 49ers 13
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