Saints Nation: 49ers Will Be Best Defense Saints Have Faced Since Bears in 2006

As good as the Saints’ offense has been, and that’s historically supreme, the challenge they’ll face Saturday will be the toughest of the entire year. The 49ers’ defense is no joke, and they remind me to the Chicago Bears’ defense that suffocated the Saints’ offense in the 2006 NFC Championship game. The 49ers’ defense is strong in all areas. They are #2 in points given up, #4 overall in yards, #1 against the run, #2 in interceptions, #7 in sacks. You get the idea. They don’t give up points, they don’t give up yards, they get to the quarterback, and they create turnovers. Pretty scary all the way around. For comparison sake I present the 2011 49ers’ D vs. the 2006 Chicago Bears’ D:

 
In some ways it’s scary how similar these two defenses are statistically. The 49ers are built the old school way, the brand of football where you win with suffocating defense and a strong running game. Besides the Baltimore Ravens you just don’t see that much anymore in the passing era of football… but it’s clear based on their 13-3 record you can still win games that way, much like the Bears did on their way to a 2006 Super Bowl berth. Now the good news is this year’s Saints’ offense is light years ahead of the 2006 version that only scored 14 points in Chicago, and the weather will be sunny with no wind in the mid 60’s in San Francisco this Saturday instead of snowy in sub degree temperatures. Still, if you’re expecting a similar performance to the one the Saints put up on the Lions’ D in the Superdome last weekend, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. The Saints won’t be able to afford another piss poor performance from the defense this week, because the offense isn’t going to put up 50 points on the road against these guys. Are the Saints better on offense than the 49ers are on defense? Yes, absolutely. But the number of challenges they present will make it important for the Saints to take good care of the football and minimize mistakes. Sometimes, that comes at the expense of a slightly more conservative gameplan. At times, the Saints may even need to rely on their defense for stops.  I absolutely think this offense is so good that they will be up for this task and they can move the ball on ANYONE ANYWHERE, but again, this defense is like no other the Saints have faced all season long. They are versatile, balanced, and they can hurt you in many different ways. The 49ers are the most complete defense the Saints have faced since the Chicago Bears in 2006, in my opinion. Strap on your helmet.