The New Orleans Saints (1-0) aim to secure their second straight preseason victory when they take on the San Francisco 49ers (0-1) in Week 2 of NFL preseason action this Sunday night. The matchup will unfold at Levi’s Stadium, kicking off at 8 PM ET.
The Saints recently edged out the Arizona Cardinals 16-14 as 2.5-point favorites. Meanwhile, the 49ers faced a narrow 17-13 defeat against the Tennessee Titans as 5.5-point underdogs.
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Saints Seek to Break Playoff Streak
The New Orleans Saints were once a staple in the playoffs during Drew Brees’ era, but they have encountered challenges since his retirement after the 2020 season, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year. As Dennis Allen enters his third season as head coach, the pressure mounts for a postseason appearance to secure his future with the team.
Last season, the Saints ranked in the top 10 for scoring, bolstered by the league’s 11th-best passing offense. Core players such as Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, and Chris Olave return, with additional depth added through former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Stanley Morgan and former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr.
In a significant move, backup quarterback Jameis Winston was replaced by Nathan Peterman, who signed a one-year contract during the offseason. The Saints’ starters had limited playtime in their first preseason game, leaving their availability for this matchup uncertain.
Second-year quarterback Jake Haener demonstrated promise in the initial game, completing 69 percent of his passes for 107 yards. Rookie Spencer Rattler also contributed with a 53 percent completion rate, throwing for 70 yards and a rushing touchdown, leading the team on a crucial 12-play, 56-yard drive that resulted in a game-winning field goal.
Defensively, the Saints excelled last season, allowing only 19.2 points per game. Their first preseason game showcased this strength, as they limited the Cardinals to just 14 points. Key offseason acquisitions like former Ohio State standout Chase Young and linebacker Willie Gay, formerly with the Kansas City Chiefs, aim to enhance the pass rush.
With their active offseason, the Saints are optimistic about returning to playoff contention.
Injuries: Rashid Shaheed, Pete Werner, Stanley Morgan Jr., and Mason Tipton are questionable for the upcoming game.
49ers Set Sights on Championship Glory
The San Francisco 49ers reached the Super Bowl last season but fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs, losing in overtime for the second time. With many key players returning, they are eager to make another run for the championship.
Last season, the 49ers boasted the second-best offensive performance in the league, highlighted by quarterback Brock Purdy and a dynamic running game featuring Christian McCaffrey. Although they didn’t make significant changes offensively, they invested their first-round draft pick in receiver Ricky Pearsall from Florida.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who has led the team in receiving yards for the past two seasons, expressed a desire for a trade during the offseason, creating uncertainty about his future with the team. Additionally, All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams is currently holding out for a new contract.
The 49ers opted not to field their starters in their initial preseason game, managing only 13 points against the Titans. Head coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned the intention to give most starters a few series in this upcoming game.
Newcomer Joshua Dobbs, who played for Arizona and Minnesota last season, completed 70 percent of his passes for 146 yards and one interception in his debut for the 49ers. Brandon Allen added to the effort, completing 54 percent of his passes for 98 yards.
Defensively, the 49ers were among the league’s elite, allowing just 17.5 points per game last season. They faced some losses in their defensive line, including Chase Young, Arik Armstead, and Randy Gregory, but have brought in Leonard Floyd, Maliek Collins, and Yetur Gross-Matos to fill those gaps.
They also signed linebacker De’Vondre Campbell to provide support for Dre Greenlaw, who is currently recovering from a torn Achilles. The defense managed to hold their own in the first game, giving up only 17 points, a performance they must replicate to secure a win.
Injuries: Ambry Thomas, Ricky Pearsall, and Elijah Mitchell are questionable for this matchup.
Smart Bets for Saints vs. 49ers Showdown
The 49ers struggled offensively in their initial game, failing to find a rhythm in the passing game and averaging just 3.5 yards per play on the ground. With multiple injuries affecting their running back position and McCaffrey ruled out for the entire preseason, the burden falls on Dobbs and Allen, who may face challenges against a strong New Orleans defense that limited Arizona’s quarterbacks to under 200 yards.
The Saints, while also not excelling offensively in their first game, saw promise in Haener’s performance. Their commitment to the running game made them more difficult to defend. Although the 49ers defended well against the run, their secondary struggled against Tennessee, allowing 66 percent completion and 198 passing yards. Expect the Saints to exploit this weakness and secure a victory. It may be wise to back New Orleans to cover the spread.
