The New Orleans Saints have a chance to win a game that league critics viewed as unwinnable before the season started. The 49ers head into Sunday’s matchup without top contributors Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk. Jauan Jennings will be a game-time decision. What looked like a daunting slate to start the season for New Orleans may now turn into their best chance to build momentum as they develop their young core of contributors. A win this Sunday, followed by another in Seattle in Week 3, could go a long way for a team desperately seeking to find its identity. Here’s our 49ers versus Saints preview, scouting report, and score prediction for Week 2.
San Francisco 49ers Scouting Report
Record: 1-0
Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan
Quarterback: Mac Jones
The 49ers are coming off a tough Week 1 road victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Their performance against Seattle was not pretty, but they got the job done late in the fourth quarter. With 1:44 left in the game, Purdy connected with tight end Jake Tonges on a game-sealing touchdown pass to go up 17-13 over Seattle. The 49ers left Lumen Field with a win, but the victory came with a steep price.
George Kittle could not return to the game because he suffered a hamstring injury in the first half. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings missed action as well after injuring his shoulder. The biggest loss among the players mentioned was quarterback Brock Purdy. According to multiple reports, Purdy will miss at least two to five weeks to recover from turf toe and an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. Stepping in the place of Purdy will be former 2021 first-round selection Mac Jones. Jones started his career with the New England Patriots and had a recent stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
League insiders have stated that it was Jones that Coach Shanahan had highly coveted in the 2021 draft before they had pivoted to selecting Trey Lance. The Shanahan/Jones combo will not be a long-term partnership, but it’s an opportunity for Jones to showcase his skills and become a starter elsewhere. What’s intriguing about the current 49ers team is that, despite the significant roster turnover and recent injuries, they are still a formidable team to defeat.
Their defense is good enough to carry them during the current period of not having their top playmakers. Last week against the Seahawks, the Niners’ defense only allowed three points in the first half and forced a game-changing fumble in the fourth quarter. On offense, Jones will rely on star tailback Christian McCaffrey to help rattle a Saints defense that had an impressive outing against the Cardinals last week.
If Jennings is not healthy enough to play this Sunday, expect the offense to shift its focus toward making Rickey Pearsall the top passing option. I expect defensive coordinator Robert Saula to follow the same game plan as Jonathan Gannon had last week when facing New Orleans. The Arizona defense removed Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave’s downfield capabilities, reducing the Saints’ passing attack to operate within the 20s.
Key Matchups to Watch
Christian McCaffrey vs. Saints Front Seven
With Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk sidelined, the 49ers’ offense will lean heavily on McCaffrey. He remains one of the most dangerous all-purpose backs in the NFL, capable of tilting a game with chunk plays on the ground and through the air. The Saints’ run defense, anchored by Davon Godchaux and Demario Davis, must prevent him from dictating the tempo. If McCaffrey consistently finds space, it will take pressure off Mac Jones and open up the 49ers’ limited passing game.
Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed vs. 49ers Secondary
Arizona showed the blueprint in Week 1 by neutralizing New Orleans’ vertical threats. Now, the 49ers will try to repeat that strategy with corners Renardo Green and Deommodore Lenoir. If Olave and Shaheed are bottled up again, the Saints’ passing attack risks being reduced to underneath throws. How effectively Rattler connects with these two will determine if New Orleans can stretch San Francisco’s defense.
Saints Offensive Line vs. 49ers Pass Rush
Protecting Spencer Rattler is priority number one. Even without its full complement of stars, San Francisco’s front can generate pressure with Nick Bosa and a deep rotation. With Kelvin Banks Jr. stepping into a big role and Erik McCoy anchoring at center, New Orleans’ line must give Rattler time to operate. If protection breaks down, the rookie quarterback will struggle to move the ball against an aggressive defense.
X-Factors
Mac Jones’ Command of the 49ers Offense
This is Jones’ first start in San Francisco, and all eyes will be on how seamlessly he operates in Kyle Shanahan’s system. His accuracy and decision-making could keep the offense efficient, but San Francisco’s passing game may stall if the Saints rattle him with disguised coverages and early pressure. His ability to “manage” the offense without mistakes could be the difference in a close game.
Alvin Kamara’s Versatility
Kamara looked sharp in Week 1 but was underutilized as a pass-catcher. Kamara must become Spencer Rattler’s safety valve against a defense that excels in clogging passing lanes. Whether on check-downs, angle routes, or screens, his ability to create after the catch could give the Saints the offensive spark they lacked in Arizona.
Turnovers and Field Position
Neither team can afford to squander opportunities with so many injuries altering game plans. A single takeaway could decide the outcome. The Saints’ secondary, now missing Julian Blackmon, will need someone like Justin Reid or Kool-Aid McKinstry to step up with a big play. Conversely, if Rattler throws his first interception of the year, San Francisco’s opportunistic defense will capitalize.
Score Prediction
Even with the 49ers’ injury bug, they are still the favorites to win Sunday’s matchup. The current betting lines have the 49ers winning by three, instead of the initial seven points. I think the outcome will go the other way. The Saints’ advantage of having the home crowd and lessons learned from last week should be enough to get New Orleans its first win.
Prediction: 49ers 14, Saints 17
