| San Francisco (1-0) at New Orleans (0-1) |
| Game Details: Sunday, September 14, 1 p.m EST |
| Location: New Orleans, LA |
| Where to Watch: Fox |
The NFL’s Week 2 slate brings us an intriguing matchup as the San Francisco 49ers travel to the Big Easy to face the New Orleans Saints.
San Francisco enters this contest with a 1-0 record after grinding out a victory against Seattle, but the win came at a steep price. The 49ers managed just 3.1 yards per carry from Christian McCaffrey despite his 22 attempts, while kicking woes and costly injuries plagued their effort. Meanwhile, the Saints suffered a disappointing 0-1 start following their loss to Arizona, with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler struggling at times but with a few flashes of hope late in the game.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Franciso | -3 (-110) | Over 40.5 | -162 |
| New Orleans | +3 (-110) | Under 40.5 | +136 |
** Odds Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| San Fransisco | Team Stats | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Points Per Game | 13 |
| 265 | Passing Yards Per Game | 208 |
| 119 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 107 |
| 13 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 20 |
| 146 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 130 |
| 84 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 146 |
Key Details
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ championship window remains open, but it is closing as injuries are already testing their depth. Brock Purdy is out with toe and shoulder injuries that cast uncertainty over the team’s offensive identity, potentially forcing backup Mac Jones into action against a desperate Saints defense.
George Kittle’s placement on the 49ers’ injured reserve list with a hamstring injury represents perhaps the most devastating blow to Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme.  The tight end is a good blocker for the run game in addition to his pass-catching talents. Jauan Jennings and Jordan Watkins both carry questionable tags, further thinning an already depleted receiving corps that desperately needs healthy bodies to step up.
New Orleans Saints
Spencer Rattler‘s debut performance highlighted the expected struggles but went beyond just his mistakes. The offensive line’s protection schemes broke down repeatedly, and the receiving corps failed to create separation when opportunities presented themselves.
The running game managed just modest production, with fans asking questions about whether Alvin Kamara can shoulder the offensive load while his quarterback develops confidence and timing with his receivers.
Prediction
If you watched the last five minutes of the Saints game last week, Rattler showed he might stand a chance to keep the QB1 spot. This game is on the East Coast, and the 49ers are without their QB and TE. The Saints will cover.
