New Orleans Saints (14-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (13-3) Saints O vs. 49ers D

This is far and away the most challenging test for the Saints’ offense thus far. New Orleans faced only two top-10 defenses this season: Houston in Week 3 and Jacksonville in Week 4. San Francisco’s defense finished fourth in terms of yardage. Considering it ranked first in turnovers and tied for seventh in sacks, it is arguably football’s best all-around defense.Of course, it’s not like this defense has faced an offense as potent as New Orleans’s. The Niners thrive in part because they’re that rare team with two inside linebackers – Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman – athletic and intelligent enough to play all three downs. Ugg Boots Sale And the Niners are gifted and deep enough in the secondary to play predominantly man-free coverage out of their nickel and dime packages. Can their strengths hold up against the Saints’ firepower? In other words, can Willis and Bowman cover Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles? Can San Francisco’s corners handle the speed and physicality of the Saints receiving corps? Can the safeties not fall for Drew Brees’s manipulative tricks? It’s certainly possible, but if there’s so much as a hint of a leak anywhere on the defense, Brees will exploit it.Normally, an effective four-man pass rush would be an advantage that gives the Niners’ D a glimmer of hope. Justin Smith and Aldon Smith execute stunts on the left side as well as any duo in the league. That’s something Saints linemen Carl Nicks and Jermon Bushrod have struggled against in years past, though both have improved considerably this season. Nicks, in fact, might be the best help-blocking pass protector in football.