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| Photo courtesy of the Associated Press. |
From an offensive line standpoint, both teams protect well on blitzing downs. San Francisco has the league's third highest passer rating against the blitz, whereas New Orleans is number five. Let's take a look at how the two units executed their respective gameplans today:
First Quarter
- With nearly 4:30 remaining in the quarter, Roman Harper blitzed off the right side. There weren't enough blockers to pick Harper up, making him the "hot" blitzer. Alex Smith wasn't able to throw hot off of Harper, resulting in a fumble and a fight between San Francisco's offensive line and New Orleans' defensive line. This kind of chippiness early on can become extreme as the game wears on.
- Vernon Davis scored on a 49-yard reception with 2:08 left in the first quarter. The Saints brought some forceful inside stunts designed to get the San Francisco's interior o-line on different levels so that rushing lanes would be available. The 49ers did a great job picking up the stunts, and Smith had ample time to throw.
- New Orleans managed to pick up the 49ers second corner blitz in a row, but even after stepping up in the pocket, Brees threw a route that got jumped by Goldson. The 49ers' second takeaway is thanks to masked coverage rather than a good blitz.
- The broadcasters praised Frank Gore's pass protection on Smith's second touchdown pass with 0:41 remaining, and for good reason. Running backs are rarely asked to protect the opposite side of where they start the play, but Gore did so admirably against Will Smith.
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| Above: Alex Smith celebrates with his offensive line after the 49ers' first touchdown of the game. (AP) |
Second Quarter
- Drew Brees helps his offensive line pass block because he's savvy in the pocket. A certain percentage of sacks can come from the quarterback's inability to adjust his position based on pressure; with Brees, that percentage is very low.
- So far this season, San Francisco has been sacked 20 more times than New Orleans. As a result, it seems that the 49ers have opted for a much more conservative defensive gameplan. They respect the Saints' o-line, so they might only bring 4 rushers. But they want to bring that fourth man from different areas while mixing up the coverage to counteract Brees' ability to read a defense.
- On screen passes, the defensive linemen are coached to remember that getting to the quarterback "is never that easy." With 9 minutes left in the quarter, the Saints defensive line apparently forgot this rule. Luckily, their linebacker corps was quick to recognize the screen and contribute to a San Francisco three-and-out.
- Jonathan Goodwin is injured for the 49ers, at least temporarily. San Francisco is already struggling to establish the run, and losing their starting center could be a crippling blow.
- San Francisco tried nearly everything on New Orleans' second scoring drive: stunts, blitzes, rushing defensive ends out of 9-techniques. None of it was able to slow the machine-like New Orleans offense, which leads the league in 10-play drives. Offensive line units take pride in being able to keep the other team's offense off the field, and the Saints have begun their ball-control onslaught.
- The Saints just unveiled their own taste of the screen, and the 49ers d-line did a much better job recognizing it than New Orleans' unit did earlier, adding fuel to the argument that San Francisco has a better-coached defense.
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| Above: Drew Brees' second-quarter scramble attampt didn't go as planned. (AP) |
Third Quarter
- San Francisco relies on their offensive line's ability to cut defenders on perimeter run plays. During the 49ers' first drive of the second half, the Saints were still able to pursue well enough to stop Frank Gore for no gain despite the fact that most of their front seven were lying on the ground..
- For the second time in three plays, New Orleans brought seven rushers. It's obviously too much for the 49ers o-line to handle, but Alex Smith wasn't able to react quickly enough to avoid the sack.
- The Niners have yet to make anything happen on offense in the second half. Credit so far goes to the Saints defense, who has begun regularly bringing six or more rushers nearly every other play. The San Francisco o-line is handling the pressure admirably, but the 49ers skill players are struggling to make plays.
- San Francisco is playing some amazing coverage on defense. They only brought three rushers, which allowed to go through his progressing with a sundial timing him, and still managed to force an incomplete pass. So far this game, it seems that New Orleans is successful by blitzing more whereas San Francisco is successful by blitzing less.
- I began watching this game expecting an offensive line showdown. However, the story so far has been less about offensive line play and more about turnovers and dropped passes. Both teams are missing opportunities left and right; the team who comes out of this alive will be the one who shows a shred of consistency.
- Even with Goodwin back in the game at center, the 49ers still can't get any inside running game established because New Orleans is loading up the box and daring Alex Smith to make big-time throws. The Saints' problem on offense is exactly the opposite. San Fancisco is putting five defenders in the box and rushing only three. They're protecting themselves from the deep ball daring New Orleans to run the ball well without Pierre Thomas. So far, both plans are working quite well.
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| Above: Despite the Niners' refusal to rush many defenders, Justin Smith recorded a third-quarter sack. (AP) |
Fourth Quarter
- The 49ers ran an incredibly effective d-line twist that made the Saints' left guard do a 360-degree spin. It got Justin Smith free to force an incompletion from Brees. San Francisco is expecting it to take a long time for their pass rush to get to Brees with only three or four rushers, so they're implementing more stunts and twists to try and confuse the Saints o-line.
- Justin Smith is an absolute animal. With the Niners only rushing three, Smith bull-rushed Jermon Bushrod directly into Brees. If San Francisco manages to win this game, it will be thanks to Smith and an exceptional defensive backfield.
- When the 49ers pull left guard Mike Iupati onto a linebacker, it's a huge mismatch because of his immense size. San Francisco's inside power runs have been some of their most successful ones today, and Frank Gore ripped off a 42-yard gain.
- I admittedly hadn't seen San Francisco play much this season, and I understand now why they have the top defense in the league. They can create pressure with only three or four rushers, and can play some amazing zone coverage. Most impressive is their ability to recognize New Orleans' plays and execute their assignments. The Saints' offensive line can't do much to win this game, because the Niners' defense is that good. It's by far one of the most-well coached defenses I've ever seen.
- And just like that, New Orleans flips the script. With five pass rushers in his face, Brees threw the checkdown to the speedy Darren Sproles, who was sprung by some great downfield blocking for a touchdown. The Saints' o-line has executed their assignment fairly well all game; all it took was a big play from their skill player cohorts, and New Orleans is up.
- Vernon Davis is one of the few NFL tight ends I've seen who can be split out at the Z, then beat a cornerback on a go route. Nice protection by San Francisco, great toss by Alex Smith, amazing speed from Davis.
- And now the game has devolved into utter chaos. Three touchdowns between the two teams, and both offensive lines managed to keep their composure despite the frantic atmosphere in San Francisco. The 49ers have an incredibly well-coached team that should take the Giants-Packers winner to the brink. Huge win.
