We’re back for another week of San Francisco 49ers football. The excitement level is, well, it’s football, so that’s something. The 49ers are coming out of their bye week and host the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. The game kicks off at 1:05 pm PT on FOX with Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, and Jennifer Hale on the call for the second straight game. It’s a primarily regional broadcast, which I broke down here.
The 49ers are a mess right now. They have lost six straight games and are 1-6 with no signs of improvement on the horizon. They face a Saints team that is 3-4 and has won three of their last four games. The Saints beat Seattle and Carolina at home, and got a road win over the San Diego Chargers. Those came around a close road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The most notable name on the 49ers injury report is running back Carlos Hyde, who is listed as questionable. He suffered a sprained AC joint in Week 6, and did not play in Week 7. Odds are pretty good he does not play against the Saints, in which case DuJuan Harris, Shaun Draughn, and Mike Davis would split carries. Harris would likely see the most carries.
The 49ers will also be missing outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (ankle) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (knee). Lynch’s absence means more time for Eli Harold and Tank Carradine opposite Ahmad Brooks. Robinson’s absence means more opportunities for Keith Reaser. Jimmie Ward and Tramaine Brock will start at cornerback.
Speaking of defense, the Saints could get cornerback Delvin Breaux and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins on the field. Breaux has been out since suffering a broken leg in Week 1. Rankins has been on injured reserve since his own broken leg in August. The Saints spent a first round pick on Rankins, so this could mark his NFL debut.
The Saints opened as a field goal favorite, but the line has climbed to four points at most sportsbooks. Two-thirds of bets are on the Saints. New Orleans is 3-4 overall, but 5-2 against the spread this season. They have won five straight road games against the spread. And yet, I’m picking the 49ers to cover in this one. Go against the public!
Nuts and bolts
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Game time: Sunday, November 6, 1:05 p.m. PT
TV channel: FOX
Online streaming: NFL Game Pass
Radio: 810-AM, 107.7 (Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan) | Full listings
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesus Zarate, Luis Landero/Gabriel Sotelo)
Matchup history: 17-5
Announcers: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale (sideline reporter)
Enemy blog: Canal Street Chronicles
Twitter: @ninersnation
Facebook: Go ahead and give us a like!
49ers regular season schedule
Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams - 28-0 WIN
Week 2: @ Carolina Panthers - 46-27 LOSS
Week 3: @ Seattle Seahawks - 37-18 LOSS
Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys - 24-17 LOSS
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals - 33-21 LOSS
Week 6: @ Buffalo Bills - 45-16 LOSS
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 34-17 LOSS
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, November 6
Week 10: @ Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, November 13
Week 11: vs. New England Patriots, 1:25 p.m., CBS Sunday, November 20
Week 12: @ Miami Dolphins, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, November 27
Week 13: @ Chicago Bears, 10:00 a.m., FOX Sunday, December 4
Week 14: vs. New York Jets, 1:05 p.m., CBS Sunday, December 11
Week 15: @ Atlanta Falcons, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 18
Week 16: @ Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m., FOX Saturday, December 24
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, January 1