49ers have plenty of reasons for hope

By Jeff Dickinson  |   Friday, September 26, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

San Francisco 49ers
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Exactly one September ago, things were the same for the San Francisco 49ers as they are right now.

But they were also as different as night and day.

Like last year, the 49ers are off to a 2-1 start; unlike 2007, though, when their offense through three games was less than potent and that helped set the tone for a 5-11 finish, the Niner 'O' has fared well this year. In fact, the 49ers, led by journeyman quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan and new coordinator Mike Martz, have the NFL's 11th-ranked offense. San Francisco is presently averaging 342 total yards per game (214-plus passing, over 127 rushing).

To go along with their much-improved offense, the 49ers boast the league's 10th-ranked defense.

With both sides of the ball progressing, there's clearly room for hope when it comes to this edition of the 49ers.

Whether that's false hope will be found out over the next five games, an extremely challenging stretch that begins with a visit to 1-2 New Orleans on Sunday. During its five-game set, San Francisco will also travel to the Meadowlands to face the defending champion Giants (3-0) while hosting New England (2-1), Philadelphia (2-1) and NFC West rival Seattle (2-1) -- which the 49ers beat in Week 2, 33-30.

This week's opponent, New Orleans, is 1-2 but has a strong offense. The Saints' offense flaw is their running game, which is 28th in the NFL; however, their aerial attack is the league's fourth best.

For the 49ers to have a chance in Louisiana, they are going to have to get some pressure on quarterback Drew Brees -- who is averaging 326 passing yards per game this season. Conversely, the Saints are only racking up 81.3 yards rushing per contest as a team.

The Saints have the explosive Reggie Bush, who has accumulated 402 rushing and receiving yards this season. However, Bush is only putting up 50.7 rushing yards per game. He has been more of a receiving threat out of the backfield, catching 26 passes for 250 yards.

New Orleans will be without its top receiver, Marques Colston, because of a hand injury and its starting tight end, Jeremy Shockey, who recently underwent sports-hernia surgery. Brees has spread the ball around, though, with six different players having at least 100 receiving yards.

If the 49ers can get consistent pressure on Brees, be aware of Bush’s location on the field at all times and continue to limit their turnovers, they can certainly escape New Orleans with a surprising 3-1 record.

One thing's for sure: This is just the opening phase of a five-game, sink-or-swim series of battles for San Francisco.
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About Jeff Dickinson

I have been writing and editing professionally for 18 years. I spent the first three years of my career as a sportswriter for a daily newspaper in Alabama and got to cover sports and get paid for it! It was great until I got married and then it wasn't too much fun being away from my wife every...
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