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5 Bold Predictions For 49ers vs. Saints

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5 Bold Predictions For 49ers vs. Saints

Mercedes Superdome New Orleans Saints
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Losers of two straight, the San Francisco 49ers head to Who Dat country to face the New Orleans Saints who have won two straight. It's the 49ers' stingy defense against the high-powered Saints' offense, so here are five bold predictions to get you in the game.

5. Colin Kaepernick Responds

Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers
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5. Colin Kaepernick Responds

Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers
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After two straight losses in which Colin Kaepernick posted a combined QBR of 26.95 while committing three turnovers (one INT and two lost fumbles), Kap finds himself on the verge of losing $ 2M. Reason being; there's a de-escalator clause in his contract that gets activated if No. 7 doesn't make the first or second NFL All-Pro team and take the 49ers to the Super Bowl.

49ers Nation can only hope that's motivation enough for their embattled QB.

4. Saints' Offense Will Score Less Than 30 Points

Drew Brees New Orleans Saints
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4. Saints' Offense Will Score Less Than 30 Points

Drew Brees New Orleans Saints
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Through the 2014 NFL season's first eight games, Drew Brees and Co. have only faced one defense as proficient as that of the 49ers -- the Detroit Lions. The Saints turned the ball over twice in that Week 7 road game, and Matthew Stafford took advantage by throwing two touchdown passes in the final 3:38 to lead the Lions to a 24-23 win.

This game is in front of Who Dat Nation, but the Saints will be in for a battle with the 49ers' stout defense.

3. 49ers Will Gain Less Than 350 Total Yards

Frank Gore San Francisco 49ers
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3. 49ers Will Gain Less Than 350 Total Yards

Frank Gore San Francisco 49ers
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The Saints have given up an average of 420.25 yards per game on the road, but at home, where they've only surrendered an average of 350.66 yards per contest.

The 49ers are averaging 345.6 yards per game on offense in 2014, and with a sieve-like offensive line, a struggling QB and an offensive coordinator who can't devise a play to gain six inches with the game on the line, their offense will struggle to gain yards this Sunday.

2. 49ers' Secondary Will Be Game's X-Factor

Perrish Cox San Francisco 49ers
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2. 49ers' Secondary Will Be Game's X-Factor

Perrish Cox San Francisco 49ers
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This week, Kaepernick -- and his $ 2M de-escalator clause -- is not the X-factor. This week, that privilege goes to the 49ers' secondary.

In their only game against an elite quarterback (Peyton Manning) in 2014, they gave up 304 yards and four TDs. This week they're up against another elite QB with legitimate receiving threats -- see Jimmy Graham -- and the 49ers need their DBs to have a huge game to prevent this one from getting out of hand.

1. 49ers Win Turnover Battle, But Lose Game

Vance McDonald San Francisco 49ers
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1. 49ers Win Turnover Battle, But Lose Game

Vance McDonald San Francisco 49ers
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The 49ers enter the game with a plus-4 turnover ratio on the road while the Saints enter with a minus-1 ratio at home. While the 49ers could very well win the turnover battle, they'll find it difficult -- like all road teams that visit Nawlins -- to eek out a win.

And if they lose, Kaepernick can kiss that $ 2M goodbye.

Jeff Pearlman is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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