49ers (10-2) at Saints (10-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, MercedesBenz Superdome, New Orleans TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 3
49ers’ keys to victory: They must find ways to run against an elite, run-stopping Saints defense. New Orleans hasn’t allowed a 100yard rusher in its past 38 games (including the playoffs), but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan likely will present new challenges. He has a well-stocked backfield and expects to get leading rusher RB Matt Breida back for this game. On defense, the 49ers must get their pass rush going against a beatenup Saints offensive line.
Saints’ keys to victory: Stopping the run has to be the Saints’ top priority; doing so forces the 49ers to lean on QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who ranks near the bottom third of the league in pass attempts but sits inside the top 10 in interceptions and fumbles. When the Saints are on offense, look for QB Taysom Hill on option plays in an attempt to mimic the success Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson had against the 49ers.
Matchup to watch: 49ers LB Fred Warner vs. Saints RB Alvin Kamara. Kamara is Hill’s frequent tag-team partner in the Saints’ run-pass option package, and Warner is likely to draw coverage responsibilities whenever No. 41 is on the field. Warner is a smart, athletic rising star, and he can cripple the Saints’ offense if Kamara can’t provide New Orleans a consistent safety valve on passes beyond the line of scrimmage.
Who wins? Defense wins championships, and the Saints are capable of shutting down the 49ers’ running attack and putting Garoppolo into an uncomfortable spot. It won’t be easy, but the Saints win this one in a street fight.
Saints, 22-20
Saints
49ers schedule
W ... at Tampa Bay ... 31-17 W .... at Cincinnati .... 41-17 W ...... Pittsburgh ...... 24-20
BYE
W ........ Cleveland ........ 31-3 W ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 20-7 W .... atWashington .... 9-0 W ........ Carolina ........ 51-13 W ...... atArizona ...... 28-25 L ....... Seattle ....... 27-24 OT W ......... Arizona ......... 36-26 W ........ Green Bay ........ 37-8 L ..... atBaltimore ..... 20-17 Dec. 8 .. at New Orleans .. 1 Dec. 15 ...... Atlanta ...... 4:25 Dec. 21 ... L.A. Rams ... 8:15 Dec. 29 ... at Seattle ... 4:25
Saints schedule
W ........ Houston ........ 30-28 L ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 27-9 W ....... at Seattle ....... 33-27 W .......... Dallas .......... 12-10 W ..... TampaBay ..... 31-24 W...atJacksonville...13-6 W ...... at Chicago ...... 36-25 W .......... Arizona .......... 31-9
BYE
L ........... Atlanta ........... 26-9 W ... at Tampa Bay ... 34-17 W ........ Carolina ........ 34-31 W ...... atAtlanta ...... 26-18 Dec.8 ...SanFrancisco ...1 Dec. 16 . Indianapolis . 8:15 Dec.22 ..atTennessee ..1 Dec. 29 .... at Carolina ..... 1