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Golden Nuggets: A must win game in New Orleans

Saturday, November 8, 2014 edition of the Golden Nuggets, a daily compilation of 49ers links from around the web.

By VoxMediaUser1371959 Nov 8, 2014, 2:00am PST

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Good morning everyone. Tomorrow morning the 49ers will face the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. The Saints are a pretty mediocre team overall, but are close to unbeatable at home. Why does it seem like the 49ers play in the Superdome every season? This is three years now if we count the Superbowl.

Patrick Willis has not practiced all week, and according to Vic Fangio, his toe injury just hasn't healed like we thought it was going to. So Willis probably won't go, and the NFL executed a wonderful troll effort over the 49ers by giving us a glimmer of hope that Aldon Smith would return. Supposedly, there was a chance his suspension could be reduced two weeks ago yet here we are in week nine and still no Aldon... Good one NFL, I bet you are a hit at parties.

So this week - as difficult as it will be undermanned and in a hostile environment - is about as close to a "must win" game as we have. The Cardinals do not seem to be slowing down, and the Seahawks are going to be tough in both games coming up. At 4-4, the 49ers realistically cannot hope to make the playoffs with less than 10 wins, and even then its no guarantee. The 49ers need to win this game, and with a banged up defense facing Drew Brees, the 49ers offense is going to need to come out with its A game.

No predictions this week, I'm sick of jinxing the 49ers. So lets hurry and get to those links.

49ers vs. Saints injury report: Patrick Willis is questionable (Gin)

49ers must keep an eye on Junior Galette (Gin)

Eric Reid returns home to Louisiana, hoping to validate praise from Brees (SFGate)

49ers LB Thomas could make NFL debut if Skuta out (Maiocco)

Jim Harbaugh offers no comment on Ahmad Brooks trade report (ESPN)

49ers discord 'a bunch of crap,' says former star (Mercury News)

49ers’ Brooks, Saints’ Brees downplay last year’s controversial encounter (Barrows)

49ers status report: LB's Patrick Willis, Dan Skuta questionable to play (ESPN)

Von Miller Supports Aldon Smith, 49ers Logo with Disney Twist and Steve Young's Missed Cameo (49ers)

RED ZONE OFFENSE IS 49ERS' TOP PROBLEM (Scout)

Time running out for 49ers to get Gore untracked, more involved in offense (Corkran)