Football Gumbo: Here Come the Big Bad 49ers

“But there’s nothing like sampling a little gumbo, a little jambalaya and then diving face-first into a shrimp boil.” - Chris Low, ESPN.com.

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Hello folks and welcome to a tasty mix of news and stories related to the Saints’ upcoming game. Like a good gumbo, it is full of all sorts of awesome ingredients and I will even occasionally add the slightly odd piece of news in the stew. Let’s dive in face-first!

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Crescent City Gumbo

• It is Strength on Strength: The Saints’ passing game about to get tested by strong 49ers pass rush. By John DeShazier at neworleanssaints.com

• Saints and 49ers Face Again in a Big Game: The teams haven’t faced each other since 2016, but most of the latest games have had big implications. By John DeShazier at neworleanssaints.com.

• Quotes From the San Francisco 49ers About the Saints: 49ers players and coaches sound off on the Saints and their upcoming matchup. via neworleanssaints.com.

• Saints’ Defense Will Be Challenged: The San Francisco 49ers boast a strong running game. By John DeShazier at neworleanssaints.com.

• Saints’ Offense Knows It Can Improve: Even at 10-2, the Saints’ offense hasn’t played a complete game yet. By Luke Johnson at nola.com.

• Sheldon Rankins Relishing the Opportunity: The Saints’ defensive tackle coming off and Achilles tear injury last season, wants to have a bigger impact.

• Expect the “Voodoo Dome” to be Loud: With what’s at stakes when the Saints face the 49ers tomorrow, expect the MB Superdome to be lit. By Rod Walker at nola.com.

• Michael Thomas Should be in the MVP Conversation: No receiver has ever won the award, but Thomas is having a season for the ages. By Mike Triplett at ESPN.com.

• How Do They Stack Up? Assessing how the Saints and 49ers match up on the field. By Amie Just at nola.com.

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A Taste From the Other Side

• Five Key Matchups: Matthew Asher from 49ers.com takes a look at five matchup that could determine the outcome of tomorrow’s Saints-49ers game.

• Number One Seed at Stake? The Saints-49ers game could be the one that determines who gets home-field advantage throughout the playoffs in the NFC. by Nick Wagoner at ESPN.com.

• Robbie Gould Not So Automatic in 2019: The 49ers kicker and former Chicago Bear has not had a great season thus far. By Eric Branch at the San Francisco Chronicle.

• Dee Ford Returns to Face Saints: The San Francisco 49ers are getting an important piece of their pass rush in time for tomorrow’s game. By Eric Branch at the San Francisco Chronicle.

• Three Reasons Why the 49ers Will Win Out: Nicholas McGee tells you why the 49ers could run the table to finish the season. via Sports Illustrated.

• Who Ya Got? Jose Luis Sanchez III previews the Saints-49ers matchup and picks a winner. via Sports Illustrated.

• Five To Watch: Maverick Pallack highlights five 49ers players that could have a huge impact on tomorrow’s game. via Sports Illustrated.

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Wait...What?

• The $120,000 Banana: What is a duct-taped banana “art” piece worth to you? via NPR.org.