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Before the NFL shifted teams around in the 2002 realignment, the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers were in the same division. Many Saints fans remember the old NFC West that featured the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams with Saints and 49ers.
The Carolina Panthers were in the old NFC West for a cup of coffee as well. In that old division, everyone most seasons looked up at mighty San Francisco.
From 1970-2001 (with Saints, 49ers, Falcons & Rams), San Francisco won the NFC West 16 times. The 49ers were also a wild card team four times.
During that same time period the Saints won the division a total of two times (1991, 2000) and were a wild card team three times (1987, 1990, 1992). The 49ers made the playoffs 20 times and New Orleans just five times in those 31 years.
After the formation of the NFC South 2002-11), New Orleans has won the division three times and has been a wild card team once. San Francisco on the other hand has won the division twice and has not been a wild card team.
Here is a little more history for you. The last time the 49ers beat the Saints was January 6, 2002. New Orleans has been San Francisco (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010) six straight times since that game.
New Orleans has become a different team since leaving the NFC West. In the NFC South the Saints won their first playoff game and broke through for their first Super Bowl.
In the 1980’s and 1990’s the 49ers were one of the best teams in the NFL. San Francisco was loaded with talent and future hall of famers.
Roles have reversed since the 2000’s with the Saints being the team loaded talent and future hall of famers. New Orleans now can step over their former division rival on their way to the NFC Championship game.
This game will be all about defense versus offense. San Francisco is ranked fourth in total defense and New Orleans has the first ranked total offense.
The 49ers are the NFL’s best ranked rushing defense (ranked first) only allowing 77.3 yards per game and the Saints bring in the sixth best rushing offense averaging 132.9 yards per game.
San Francisco’s biggest challenge will be getting their 16th ranked passing offense that is allowing 231 yards per game to stop the New Orleans passing offense that is ranked first in the NFL putting up 334 passing yards each contest.
The Saints are putting up 34.2 points a game and the 49ers are only allowing 14.3 points. San Francisco offense must find ways to keep up with New Orleans on the scoreboard.
Read the rest of this post at JFPSports.com.
