The New Orleans Saints get set to clash against the San Francisco 49ers in week 2 of the NFL Preseason on Sunday night in Levi's Stadium from Santa Clara, California. They kick it off at 8:00 pm. These two teams were supposed to have scheduled joint practices, but both clubs canceled them because the 49ers are dealing with several key and nagging injuries.
Bookmaker has installed the Saints - 2 1/2 point favorites in this clash.
The new-look Saints will try to answer some questions during this shortened preseason, and one of them is: Can they really rely on their veteran quarterback to step up?
That question is being brought up because young signal caller Spencer Rattler is turning heads at training camp and looked sharp in his preseason debut last week. He completed 8-of-17 passes for 70 yards and looked very comfortable as he took command of the huddle in a 16-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Derek Carr is a proven veteran, and he should be the club's starting quarterback, but he is getting older, and if he struggles early on, fans might call him to go to the backup. Look for Rattler to try to continue to impress the coaching staff in this one. The Saints should be able to move the ball against a 49ers defense that has been banged up this preseason.
San Francisco is starting to look like a MASH unit, and we have not even reached the regular season opener.
The 49ers have some distractions going on, and they are also already dealing with some key injuries. The defending NFC Champions are still trying to get a long-term contract worked out for star wideout Brandon Aiyuk, but at the same time, there are reports that they have agreed to the parameters of a trade that would ship the skilled player to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That would be a massive loss to an offense that loves to get fast, skilled, explosive players into the slot like Aiyuk. The 49ers will bubble-wrap players and do not expect to see many starters on either side of the ball out there. This could be a game over at the half because the Saints need the reps more than the 49ers.
They will play it safe in this one and most likely establish the run early, so look for their backs to get some meaningful touches. San Francisco averaged 28 points a game, and they need healthy weapons when the season starts if they want to build on that number.
The Saints' win total in 2024 sits at 7 1/2, and their odds of winning the NFC South are currently at +380 in most books. They finished 2023 with a mark of 9-8 and won four out of five to hit the nine-win mark. The 49ers are one the firm favorites to win the Super Bowl. Their odds are +600, with the Kansas City Chiefs having the shortest odds at +550. Their win total is an intense 11 1/2. Their odds to claim the NFC West crown are -225.
