49ers vs. Saints game recap: San Francisco holds off New Orleans, 31-21

The San Francisco defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns, and the 49ers defeated the New Orleans Saints, 31-21, Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

San Francisco (8-2-1) opened the scoring with 7:21 left in the first quarter, when quarterback Colin Kaepernick scampered seven yards for a touchdown. The Saints (5-6) answered at the 1:45 mark with a six-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to tight end David Thomas. Brees gave New Orleans a 14-7 lead with a 10-yard pass to Marques Colston midway through the second quarter, but he threw an interception that was returned by Ahmad Brooks for a score 22 seconds before halftime .

San Francisco took control in the third quarter, as Kaepernick passed to Frank Gore for a six-yard TD a little under three minutes into the second half. Just 47 seconds later, Brees threw another interception, and Donte Whitner returned it 42 yards to end zone to put the Niners up by 14 points.

Brees connected with Jed Collins for a two-yard touchdown pass with 7:19 left in the third quarter, but that was all the Saints could muster. San Francisco's David Akers kicked a 27-yard field goal with 7:50 remaining in the game to provide the final margin.

The 49ers are unbeaten in their last five games -- San Francisco tied the St. Louis Rams two weeks ago. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Saints.

Saints running back Mark Ingram gained just 27 yards on 10 carries. San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis was targeted only once, and he finished without a catch.