49ers vs. Saints: A prospector's guide

The San Francisco 49ers travel to the Superdome in Week 11 to face the New Orleans Saints. The 49ers are not exactly in the greatest of shape, coming off an ugly loss to the Carolina Panthers, and dealing with several injuries. They head into New Orleans looking to clean up a lot of things on offense, but they might just have to stick with the ground game once again. The Saints rank 23rd in rushing yards per game, 30th in rushing D DVOA and 15th in Adjusted Line Yards for their defensive line.

Sunday's game will be the national game of the week, getting the No. 1 FOX crew of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver. It will not be broadcast across the entire country because of Packers-Giants and Vikings-Seahawks, but plenty of you will get it. I will not get it in Washington, D.C., but I've gotten used to not getting the broadcast the last few weeks. I'll figure something else out.

Ahmad Brooks

• Notched the second interception and first touchdown of his career, picking off Saints QB Drew Brees and running 50 yards for the score at New Orleans (11/25/12)

Vernon Davis

• Recorded seven receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns on the day vs. New Orleans (1/14/12, NFC-D). His 180 receiving yards were the most by a tight end in NFL postseason history for a single game. The 180 receiving yards were the second most in a single postseason game in franchise history (WR Jerry Rice - 215 receiving yards vs. Cincinnati (1/22/89, SB XXIII). Down three points with just 1:32 remaining, Davis caught a game-winning 14-yard touchdown pass from QB Alex Smith.

Colin Kaepernick

• Had his first-career game with both a passing TD and a rushing TD at New Orleans (11/25/12). Kaepernick finished with 27 rushing yards to go with 231 yards through the air

Donte Whitner

• On the Saints first drive of the game, forced a fumble by RB Pierre Thomoas on the 49ers 2-yard line, which was recovered by LB Patrick Willis vs. New Orleans (1/14/12, NFC-D)
• Intercepted a pass from QB Drew Brees and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown at New Orleans (11/25/12(. This marked the second touchdown of his career along with his third interception as a member of the 49ers

Series Highlights
Matchups: 73
Series Record: 49ers lead series 47-24-2
49ers Road Record vs. Saints: 49ers lead series 24-13
First Meeting: 10/22/67, 49ers win 27-13, at SF
Last Meeting: 11/25/12, 49ers win 31-21, at NO
Current Streak: Won 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 8 (9/15/73 - 11/27/77)
Longest Saints Win Streak: 6 (10/20/02 - 9/20/10)
Most 49ers Points: 42 (11/22/93); 49ers win 42-7, at SF
Most Saints Points: 43 (11/23/69); Saints win 43-38, at NO
49ers Shutouts: 5 (Last 1/6/02), 49ers win 38-0, at NO
Saints Shutouts: None

2013 Statistics