[regularguy]

Is this maybe the week for the 49ers to get an upset?

Alex Smith will be back. And, just maybe the 49ers' offensive line can give him a little time against the Saints. If that happens, maybe they can get a little balance on offense, and score a few points. Maybe I'm dreaming.

I just have a gut feeling the 49ers are ready to have a good game, and pull an upset, or maybe at least stay within 3 of the Saints.

Any thoughts?

[Furt]

I like the Saints here. But part of that comes from me thinking the Saints are a MUCH better team than they've shown. If I'm wrong (maybe the NO team of last year is influencing me a bit too much) and the 49ers much improved D can step up than who knows.

[Dark Horse]

Passing elevators. Both teams are not living up to preseason expectations, but Saints are on their way up, and 49-ers haven't shown improvement, so still going down.

I'm going with a 50-25 ATS situation favoring the Saints.

[Poker Pirate]

would you mind sharing the situation ur refering to DH?

Was liking the 49ers here myself, the 49ers defense has played well this year, and saints have yet to manage more than 14 points against competent defenses. Surly 49ers can score that many w/ smith back, right?

[Benson17]

I like the Niners in this one.

[KidDynamite]

Saints are starting to roll. Alex Smith is back from injury, however, I think he is going to have his classic 10-26 98yds 0td 2int day.

[austintx05]

the saints as a road fav is a joke, as this team just allowed 300+ yards off offense to the falcons at home...SF stands a good chance to win this game.

[mad]

Saints suffering without Duece M'c to pound the ball. Not Reggie's cup of tea at all, hence their struggles. Won't be touching Saints until he returns.

[jon13009]

New Orleans Saints (-3) @ San Francisco 49ers
4:10pm est (Fox)
---------------------------------------
NO (2-4) W: @SEA (28-17) w.6
SF (2-4) L: SEA (3-23) w.4 (A. Smith hurt)

EST. STR SCH NO 22 SF 57
-----------------------------------
Weather (pred): 65 deg. Pt. Cloudy.
--------------------------------------
Injuries
NO: J. David (forearm – ques), Faine (pectoral – out) / McAllister (IR)
SF: A. Smith (sholder -prob.), F. Gore (ankle –prob.)
--------------------------------------
Momentum:
NO: 2 straight wins
SF:
-------------------------------------
Public NO Wed. 83% / Fri. 74% / Sat. 74% / SUN 74%

Source: http://www.thespread.com/nfl-footbal...-betting-chart
--------------------------------------------
Stats ADV: slight edge to NO, model has NO –2.

New Orleans Saints O (20) RO(24) PO(11)
San Francisco 49ers D (17) RD(23) PD(11)

San Francisco 49ers O(32) RO(26) PO(32)
New Orleans Saints D(22) RD(12) PD(27)

Key matchup NO PO v SF PD. SF appears to have the tougher time of it, but with A. Smith returning, those ranking may be skewed. NO may have edge if the high powered offense from last year can wake up. SF has to improve their run offense and Gore may breakout this week.
------------------------------------------
For: New Orleans Saints (-3), unless noted.
Public (74%)/ Steam sheets - NO / Bobby Maxwell NO / MR A - NO (-2.5)/

For: San Francisco 49ers (+3)
Beck (-1 NO) SF / Bob(2*) SF 20 NO 16 (SF - SO at +1 or more) / Cappers Access SF/ DCI SF/ W. Root - Money Maker - San Fran / Spritzer GOY - SF / Nelly's Sportsline 3* SF / Teddy June 10* SF / Psychic Sports SF / Maddux Sports 3 units SF / Mike Neri 3* SF / Ron Meyer live dog- SF /
---------------------------------------
Hilton Contest NO (-2.5)
Top 5 – none picked either team.
NO (67) 9th / SF ( 61) 11th
----------------------------------
System:
APTHD (against public take home dog) - SF
------------------------------
While NO appears to be improving with two straight wins versus SEA (@Sea) and ATL, SF has had a tough time for the past 3 weeks losting to tougher teams PIT, and (SEA, BAL and NYG with Dilfer at QB). SF has A. Smith back and home field with NO traveling west. I am still not sold on NO as an away favorite, and feel SF has the determination to get a win here. NO will be without center J. Faine, and that could pose problems for Brees. As with any game, this could go either way, low value, but am taking SF
--------------------------------
Play:
SF (+ 3) 0.5 unit
SF ML 0.5 unit

[fivedimes]

Home dog. Smith is back and will provide balance on the offense with Gore - most NFL defenders say Gore is the toughest RB in the league. The 9ers defense is really good. If not for the offensive troubles the defense would rank statistically at the top of the league.

Wrong team is favored here - I'm all over the 9ers