Brees-Powered Saints Will be Tough for 49ers to Contain

Quarterback has Saints rolling as they march toward Levi's Stadium for Sunday's game with 1-6 49ers

There are likely to be plenty of points scored in Sunday’s game between the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. The question is, will the 49ers score any of them?

The 1-6 49ers, with the NFL’s worst-ranked offense, will be hard pressed to keep up with the 3-4 Saints, the league’s No. 2 offensive team.

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees leads the NFL in passing yards with 326.9 per game, and the Saints overall are scoring 28.7 points per game while churning out 415 yards.

Even against a strong Seattle Seahawks defense last week, the Saints were able to move the ball in a 25-20 New Orleans victory. Brees threw for 265 yards while running back Tim Hightower rushed for 102 yards.

Hightower and Mark Ingram give the Saints a solid running duo against the 49ers’ worst rushing defense in the NFL. The 49ers have allowed a 100-yard rusher in six straight games. Hightower or Ingram could be in line for some big gains, too. The Niners have allowed 11 runs of 20 or more yards and four of 40 or more yards this season. That should take the pressure off Brees.

Plus, the 49ers go into this game with No. 1 running back Carlos Hyde banged up with a tender shoulder and possibly out for this game. Hyde has been effective when in the lineup, but without him, the 49ers run game has been weak.

Head coach Chip Kelly said a decision will be made Friday or Saturday about Hyde’s status.

“He hasn’t taken any hits or anything like that on his shoulder,” said Kelly, noting that Hyde has worn a non-contact jersey in practices this week. “I would just say it’s still up (in the air). I have no idea.”

The Saints started the season 0-3 but have picked up momentum in recent weeks, powered in part by Brees, who is having a tremendous season. He has 18 touchdown passes vs. just five interceptions. His favorite trget is rookie wide receiver Michael Thomas, who has 42 catches for 500 yards and three TDs.

Oddsmakers have made the Saints 4½-point favorites for the game that is set to kick off at 1:05 p.m.

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