Quarterback Drew Brees and the first place 7-4 Saints look to win their first home game in over a month when they face Alex Smith and the 5-6 49ers Sunday at the Superdome. San Francisco 49er quarterback Smith has thrown for 1,972 yards in his first full season at the starting position while Drew Brees has almost that many in his last five games for the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints are 2-3 since their bye, but Brees has set an NFL record for passing yards in a five game span with 1,954. He had 349 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-13 win at Atlanta last Sunday. Brees has passed for a league-leading 3,463 yards, 499 better than Indianapolis' Peyton Manning.
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With five games remaining, Brees has helped lead New Orleans to the second best record in the NFC. The Saints trail only Chicago and are tied with Seattle and Dallas, where New Orleans plays in prime time on Dec. 10.
In his first season in New Orleans, Brees has helped turn around a team that went 3-13 a season ago. Both of his touchdowns against Atlanta, including a 48-yard pass he put up for grabs as time expired in the first half, offering further proof of the extent of his recovery from a complicated off season throwing shoulder surgery to repair his labrum and rotator cuff.
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In the past month, Brees has thrown accurately downfield on touchdown passes of 76, 72, 52, 49 and 45 yards. Brees said he has been gaining strength all season and is approaching the arm strength he had before the injury.
Alex Smith's numbers are much more modest, but he has certainly exceeded expectations after throwing for one touchdown and 11 interceptions in nine games as a rookie. Smith has completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2006.
His steady play is a big reason San Francisco has improved after a 4-12 season. The 49ers had won three straight before a 20-17 loss at St. Louis last Sunday. Despite the loss, the Niners' progress in the last month still is obvious. After giving up 41 points in the first half of a loss in Chicago four weeks earlier, San Francisco nearly knocked off the Rams.
And instead of being surprised at their ability to compete with the rest of the league, the 49ers are expecting to have a winning season for the first time in three seasons.
The 49ers had 171 yards rushing against the Rams, including 134 on 21 carries by Frank Gore. The NFL's second-leading rusher with 1,177 yards, Gore said he was fine after leaving last week's game with a few bruises on his right leg. Gore needs one more 100 yard rushing game to set a team record with seven in a season.
San Francisco's two first-round picks in April's draft made contributions against St. Louis. Tight end Vernon Davis, the sixth overall, made his first start of the season since suffering a cracked fibula against Philadelphia in Week 3. He had his first reception since the season opener when he caught an 11 yard pass in the second quarter. Linebacker Manny Lawson, the 22nd overall pick, intercepted his first career pass in the first quarter to stop the Rams' first drive.
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Based on the quarterback comparison alone, I would have to take the Saints. Based on the momentum of the teams, I again take the Saints. Based on very little to support betting on the 49ers, I take the Saints -7. Since the total is 45 and I have been preaching overs, go under. Good Luck!!
