Saints Vs. 49ers 2012: NFC Divisional Round Will Be In San Francisco

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for theSaints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

The clause stipulated that Smith must play at least 70 percent of the snaps during the regular season and play in the playoff game. Smith also earned another bonus in his contract by playing 80 percent of the snaps and received a $1.5 million bonus. Smith’s salary for the 2011 NFL season was originally $4 million, but with triggering the two bonuses it will push his total 2011 money to around $6.5 million.

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for theSaints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

Niners coach Jim Harbaugh knows how important home field is, and what it means to the players. Well, I think it’s an advantage. “They work very hard for it. They earned it. And they get the benefit of that,” Harbaugh said at a Thursday press conference. “So, it’s not to say that teams don’t win on the road in the playoffs, because historically they do. But, I think our team goes into this game confident and bold and with a great amount of respect for the New Orleans Saints team as well. Great amount of respect for who they are, what they do, and what they’re capable of.”

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area, and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

Little wind is expected and the temperature will approach record highs for January.

Earlier this week, David Fucillo of Niners Nation jokingly suggested that maybe the 49ers could leave the sprinklers on overnight to slow down the Saints.

Game Date/Time: Saturday, January 14; 4:30pm ET

Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

The 49ers captured the NFC’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye heading into their first postseason appearance in nine years, thanks to a 13-3 record in the regular season and the franchise’s first NFC West title since 2002.

Date & Time: Saturday, January 14th, 4:30 p.m. ET

Crabtree’s teammates, however, disagree with that label, writes Matthew Barrows of The Sacramento Bee.

Crabtree set a career-high in 2011 with 72 receptions and 874 receiving yards. In 42 career games, the 10th overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft has 175 receptions, 2,240 yards and 12 touchdowns. Unlike most players at his position, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Crabtree has shown a willingness to block.

Related: Pass Rush Is Key To Beating Packers, Saints | Drew Brees “Versus” Alex Smith

Prisco sees the 49ers squeaking out a 27-26 victory over the Saints. Rookie linebacker demonstrates the youth and inexperience of this team, but Prisco doesn’t see that being a factor. Rather, he believes that the 49ers offense will be able to do just enough against the Saints defense to pick up the victory.

What was Bill Romanowski’s answer?

Pain.

It will be interesting to see how the offensive-minded Saints stack up against the insanely tough defense of San Francisco, but the early reports on the opening betting line appear to be in favor of New Orleans. According to Saturday night’s post-game telecast on NBC Bay Area, the opening odds for the Saints-Niners game favor New Orleans to win by 3 points.

Limited Participation: CB Chris Culliver (knee), WR Ted Ginn (ankle), DT Ray McDonald (hamstring), WR Kyle Williams (concussion)

Limited Participation: LB Jonathan Casillas (knee), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)

49ers QB Alex Smith, who is having a solid, relatively mistake-free season, spoke with the media this week about why he’s been able to play better at home this year.

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

Given all the hype around Brees and Rodgers, how in the world can the Giants and 49ers compete? Should they even bother showing up this weekend?

Well, there is one strategy that could help both teams. If Rodgers and Brees are both on their backs, it’s hard to complete passes to even the best of receivers.

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

And yet, here we are and the 49ers are coming off the biggest turnaround of the year, getting ready to host the New Orleans Saints in a playoff game. In light of the expected lockout troubles, how exactly did this come to pass?

Jim Harbaugh has received most of the credit to date, and he is most definitely worthy of praise. He has brought a positive energy to the team that has created an us-against-the-world mentality. Just as important, he compiled a strong coaching staff, primarily bringing along his Stanford football coaching staff, but also making the wise decision to keep several 49ers assistants. This coaching staff has brought teaching skills that are more than just telling players what to do. It has engaged the players to better understand the game plan and schemes being used.