New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers: Game Preview

MONDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-1)

SERIES

STATS

NOTES

SAINTS:  QB DREW BREES is 4-0 in career vs. SF, completing 100 of 152 (65.8 pct.) for 1,221 yards (305.3 per game) with 10 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 106.8 rating.  Has won 3 in row on MNF, completing 63 of 82 (76.8 pct.) for 1,002 yards (334 per game) with 11 TDs vs. 1 INT for 151.5 rating...RB PIERRE THOMAS has 4 total TDs in past 3 (incl. playoffs).  Had 71 rush yards & rush TD last week.  RB REGGIE BUSH tied club record with 4 TDs (3 rush, 1 rec.) & had 168 scrimmage yards (131 rec., 37 rush) in 12/3/06 game vs. SF.  His 131 rec. yards are most by RB in game in team history...WR MARQUES COLSTON had 8 catches for 85 yards & career-high 3 TDs in his last game vs. SF.  Has TD in 4 in row on MNF (5 TDs).  WR DEVERY HENDERSON had 81-yard reception in last meeting.  WR ROBERT MEACHEM had 2 catches for 99 yards in last meeting, incl. 47-yard TD.  WR LANCE MOORE had 7 catches for 101 yards & 2 TDs in last game vs. SF...CB TRACY PORTER had INT in last meeting.  LB JONATHAN VILMA had INT last week.  DT SEDRICK ELLIShad sack in last meeting...

49ERS:  QB ALEX SMITH is 2-0 in career as starter at home on MNF.  49ers are 8-0 when Smith starts & has rating of 96+...RB FRANK GORE rushed for 167 yards & TD in last game on MNF.  In past 16 at home, Gore has 2,094 scrimmage yards (130.9 per game) & 15 TDs (11 rush, 4 rec.)... TE VERNON DAVIS had 8 catches for 73 yards last week.  Aims for 3rd in row on MNF with TD catch.  In last home game vs. NO, had 6 catches for 71 yards & TD.  Has TD in 3 consecutive home games.  T ANTHONY DAVIS & G MIKE IUPATI became 1st pair of rookie OL to start on Kickoff Weekend for 49ers since 1958...LB PATRICK WILLIS had sack & FF in last MNF game.  DT JUSTIN SMITH has started 140 games in row, longest active streak by DL.  CB NATE CLEMENTS had INT last week.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-1) (Monday, ESPN, 8:30 PM ET)     

The Super Bowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints began their title defense with a 14-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Kickoff Weekend.  The game was a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game and featured the top two scoring teams in 2009. 

"We're not used to 14-9 victories, but we're used to winning," says Saints quarterback DREW BREES, who threw for 237 yards and one touchdown.  "We like the ‘W.'"

With the victory by New Orleans, the defending Super Bowl champion has now won its past 11 season-opening games. 

The Saints will travel to San Francisco for a showdown on Monday night against the 49ers. 

Both quarterbacks have experienced success on Monday nights.  Brees has won three Monday Night Football starts in a row, passing for 11 touchdowns and one interception for a 151.5 passer rating in those three games.  San Francisco's ALEX SMITH is 2-0 in his career as a starter at home on Monday nights. 

The 49ers will look to rebound after opening the season in Seattle with a loss. 

"We can look at the Seattle game for what it is and learn from it, put it behind us and get on with New Orleans," says San Francisco head coach MIKE SINGLETARY.  "I feel we're going to be a very good football team."