SANTA CLARA – The 49ers and Saints, on a collision course since mid-November, finally butt heads this afternoon at Candlestick Park in what promises to be a study in contrasts.
The NFC divisional playoff game pits Saints quarterback Drew Brees and a record-setting offense against a defense led by defensive end Justin Smith and linebacker Patrick Willis that has suffocated opposing offenses all season.
Today's winner advances to next Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the winner of Sunday's Packers-Giants game in Green Bay.
The 49ers were the best in the league against the run, held opponents to the second-fewest points in the league and tied for the NFL lead with Green Bay with 38 takeaways.
Still, the 49ers' defense has had one soft spot, and it's something that Brees and his band of fast and talented receivers will look to exploit.
Beginning in Week 1, when Seattle Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin scored from 55 yards away, the 49ers have allowed 12 passing plays of 40 or more yards, tied for fifth-worst in the league.
The Saints' offense, meanwhile, had four such plays alone in last week's wild-card win against the Detroit Lions while also amassing 626 total yards.
New Orleans' defense, however, gave up more big pass plays – 14 – than any other team in the league.
"They've got everything going for them right now," 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said of Brees and the Saints offense. "They've got a great quarterback who's got great weapons to throw to. He's got a great offensive line in front of him. The guy's only been sacked 24 times in the regular season, and that's off of 700 times they've thrown the ball (or) dropped back to pass. So that's impressive in and of itself."
Only one of the 49ers' lapses – the biggest of the season – was because of blown coverage. That came in overtime in Week 2 when both cornerback Carlos Rogers and safety Donte Whitner bit on a run fake and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo connected with receiver Jesse Holley for a 77-yard gain that set up Dallas' game-winning field goal.
Most of the other plays have been short to intermediate throws on which receivers either broke tackles or took advantage of safeties overrunning the play.
Five of the 12 plays occurred in two of the 49ers' three losses – to Dallas and to Arizona in Week 14. Two more came in a narrow win over Philadelphia in Week 4.
Perhaps that game offers the best template for beating Brees and the Saints.
Eagles quarterback Michael Vick threw for 416 yards in that game, and the Eagles finished with 513 yards of offense. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson had 171 yards, including receptions of 61 and 45 yards.
But none of Jackson's big plays went for touchdowns, and despite all the yards allowed, the 49ers held the Eagles to 23 points.
The Saints have scored 40 or more points in four consecutive games, while the 49ers haven't allowed an opponent to surpass 27 points all season.
"Every time we step on that field, it's about not giving the other teams anything," Willis said. "It's something that coach (Jim) Harbaugh talks about all of the time – cruelty. It's not giving another person what they want. That's our mindset on defense, to go out and play with everything we have and not give the other team anything. If they do get something – oh, well, let's go and take it back."
Added Smith: "It always comes down to fundamentals. It's always going to come down to blocking, tackling and catching the football. They're not Houdini out there. They can't run one way and go the other. So, if we just go out there, play sound football, we'll be all right."
49ERS' SOFT SPOT
San Francisco has allowed 12 passing plays of 40 or more yards:
1. 77 yards – Tony Romo to Jesse Holley, Cowboys, Week 2
2. 61 yards – Michael Vick to DeSean Jackson, Eagles, Week 4
3. 60 yards – John Skelton to Early Doucet, Cardinals, Week 14
4. 55 yards – Tarvaris Jackson to Doug Baldwin, Seahawks, Week 1
5. 53 yards – Romo to Miles Austin, Cowboys, Week 2
6. 53 yards – Skelton to Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals, Week 14
7. 46 yards – Skelton to Fitzgerald, Cardinals, Week 14
8. 45 yards – Vick to Jackson, Eagles, Week 4
9. 45 yards – Colt McCoy to Josh Cribbs, Browns, Week 8
10. 45 yards – Skelton to Andre Roberts, Cardinals, Week 11
11. 44 yards – Jackson to Ricardo Lockette, Seahawks, Week 16
12. 41 yards – Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson, Lions, Week 6
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