Saints vs. 49ers: Game Recap

This past Sunday, the New Orleans Saints had a prime-time preseason matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, the game did not go the way the Saints wanted.

In the week leading up to the matchup, the two teams were supposed to hold joint practices, but they were cancelled due to the number of injuries for both teams. Especially the 49ers, as they had 26 people on their initial injury report this week. Normally it would be in those practices that the starters would get their reps in, and in turn they wouldn’t see much action in the game itself. However, due to the cancellation, the first team was seen out the gate. This is honestly needed too, after their underwhelming performance last week.

It’s important to note that the defense performed well in the matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Proving that they are still one of the best defenses in the league. It was the offense that was feeling the heat heading into to the game.

After the coin toss, San Francisco would receive the ball first. Doing their job, the defense would have them punting within five plays. 49ers Punter Pressley Harvin III would send all the way back to the Saints 5-yard line, with Cedrick Wilson only able to bring back up to the 17.

Immediately there was a false start on the first play by TE Foster Moreau. On 1st and 15, the play by the offense would be an 8-yard run by Taysom Hill, who was lined up as a halfback. While this is the first time that we’ve seen it in a game, this isn’t the first time that Hill has done that. Throughout the offseason, he’s been expanding his role in the backfield. Unfortunately, that would be the biggest play on that drive for the Saints. Following two short passes, Lou Hedley would walk out to punt the ball.

Thankfully, the defense had the offense’s back. They would hold the 49ers offense to a three and out. Cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles nearly had an interception on the first play, but sadly, the ball went through his hands.

The next drive for the Saints offense would be just the same. They were held to a three and out on a drive that featured three gained yards. Not exactly how you would want to repay your defense. Luckily, New Orleans defense would once again hold San Francisco to a three and out on the following drive.

Fortunately, the third time was the charm in this case for the offense. After being pinned on their own five-yard line, the Saints would go marching 95 yards into the end zone. Right off the bat, QB Derek Carr would throw to TE Foster Moreau for a 7-yard gain. Then, RB Jamaal Williams would earn the team a fresh set of downs on a 15-yard run. Taysom Hill was lined up as a fullback on that play and executed a prefect block. On the following play, Hill was a halfback and ran the ball for an 11-yard gain.

Chris Olave even got some action on the drive, with a 19-yard reception. QB Derek Carr had it just a tad bit behind the receiver, but if it had been more in front of Olave the pass could’ve possibly gone for more. RB Jamaal Williams would run it to the red zone on the following play. And finally, after an incomplete pass and two short runs, the New Orleans Saints would score. Taysom Hill would run it in for six from the half yard line.

That would be the only touchdown for New Orleans.

San Francisco would then sub in QB Josh Dobbs, who gave the Saints some trouble when he quarterbacked for the Minnesota Vikings last year. He would help lead San Fran to their first points of the game, a 47-yard field goal.

Derek Carr and the rest of the first team would be done for the day. It was time for rookie QB Spencer Rattler to keep up the momentum from his performance last week. Unfortunately, Rattler wasn’t able to, fumbling the ball and turning it over on his first drive of the game. His next drive wouldn’t fair much better either, with it being just five plays and a punt.

By this point, the 49ers have made it a one-point game, and with less than 90 seconds to go they were able to take the lead. It wasn’t fun to watch, because Josh Dobbs was able to run all over the field it seemed. On the scoring play as Dobbs ran it in, safety Jordan Howden shanked a tackle that would’ve prevented the score. Heading into the half it would be 13-7, 49ers over the Saints.

Receiving the ball at the half, New Orleans put together a decent drive. Running backs Jordan Mims and James Robinson were able to help move the ball forward being the stars of the drive, as Spencer Rattler was still struggling. The Saints would score a field goal to bring it within a score. The defense was well rested, not allowing the 49ers to score on their first second half drive.

The Saints switched quarterbacks on the next drive, making it Jake Haener’s job to lead the team to a comeback victory. Haener had some flashes but unfortunately, he wasn’t able to put any more points on the board for the Saints. He had two drives to make an attempt, but the team would have to punt the first time and then turn it over on downs the second time.

The Saints defense would keep San Francisco from reaching the end zone in the second half but would give up a 13-play drive end that ended a field goal. The final score was 16-10, putting the Saints at 1-1 in the preseason.

Next up, they close out the preseason at home against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon.