The New Orleans Saints will host the San Francisco 49ers in a Week 10 meeting that could end up being an eventual playoff matchup. The Saints sit atop the NFC South at 4-4 after winning three of their past four games. It's an impressive turnaround after coming off a 1-3 start to the year that had some questioning if New Orleans was a legitimate playoff team.
49ers vs. Saints 2014 picks and predictions: Party in New Orleans
The New Orleans Saints are favored at home when the San Francisco 49ers come to town riding a two-game losing streak.
Wesley Hitt
Ironically, that's the case now with 4-4 San Francisco, which has lost two straight following its 4-2 start to the year. The 49ers are coming off a heartbreaking 13-10 loss to the St. Louis Rams that saw Colin Kaepernick fumble at the goal-line with just seconds left in the game in what should have been an easy conversion and 49ers win.
The 49ers will be looking to get that bad taste out of their mouth this week in New Orleans, where the Saints won against San Francisco in the 2013 regular season, 23-20. Both teams made it to the postseason as Wild Card teams last year, and they both hope to get back to the playoffs again this year.
This game will likely be decided on the ground, as New Orleans boasts the No. 7 rushing offense, but it will be going against San Francisco’s No. 5 run defense. New Orleans ranks No. 10 in run defense, while the 49ers come in ranked No. 11 in rushing offense.
Needless to say, both of these teams like running the ball, but they both also excel at stopping the run. Mark Ingram will be toting the rock for the Saints, as he's rushed for 431 yards on 88 carries in just five games this year. As for San Francisco, Frank Gore continues to carry the load with 472 yards on 116 carries.
As for what the experts have to say of this contest, the CBS crew went with New Orleans, 7-1, while Pete Prisco is picking the home team, 28-27, offering up this reasoning:
The 49ers are reeling, and in need of a victory in the worst way. The Saints are coming off an impressive road victory at Carolina, and will have 10 days off before this one. The Saints are also really dynamic on offense at home. The 49ers will keep it close, but the Saints will pull it out late.
The SB Nation staff mostly agreed, with all but one expert going with the Saints:
| Week 10 | Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | PFT Commenter | Matt Ufford | OddsShark Computer |
| SF vs NO | NO | NO | NO | SF | NO | NO | NO | NO |
See More:
