Faced with a short fourth-and-goal in a one-score game, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton made the easy call and sent his franchise quarterback into the teeth of the San Francisco 49ers defense. Drew Brees took the ball himself and jumped over the top of the battling offensive and defensive lines to break the plane and pick up a touchdown to keep his team in the lead.
This one has turned into a boat race, with 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan creating big play after big play against a normally-sound Saints defense. Whether he’s scheming receivers wide-open downfield or fooling New Orleans’ pass rushers with trick plays, he’s picked up an early edge over Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Several big returns on special teams by Saints rookie Deonte Harris and precise execution from Payton and Brees are keeping New Orleans on top, but barely.
If the Saints can hold onto their lead at halftime and make their adjustments, they might outlast the 49ers. But it’s hardly been easy so far, and it should continue to be a dogfight as the game wears on.
You can watch Brees’ big touchdown score in the video embedded below, or at this link:
