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Jimmy Graham Is Key To New Orleans Saints’ Week 10 Win

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By @Paul_Jackiewicz

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The New Orleans Saints will be hosting a desperate San Francisco 49ers team this Sunday; a team that has lost two games in a row and currently sit in third place in the NFC West with a 4-4 record.

The problem for the 49ers is that their 30th-ranked pass defense will have to attempt to defend arguably the best tight end in the NFL in Jimmy Graham, who’s averaging seven receptions, 74 yards receiving and almost a touchdown per game this season.

Teams in the past that have had the most success against Graham will typically have a cornerback cover him. But I don’t think San Francisco has a player at the back end of their defense that can go toe-to-toe with Graham down the field.

Without Graham on the field, teams have a lot less to worry about. They can cover the Saints’ receivers using straight up man-to-man coverage and dare Brees to beat them. The great thing about Graham is that his presence alone will open things up for players like Marques Colton, Brandin Cooks and Kenny Stills.

Believe it or not Graham takes a lot of pressure off of quarterback Drew Brees, who actually threw three interceptions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. It happened to be the game Graham got injured in. He also threw another interception during the game that Graham missed and New Orleans lost on top of that.

The best way for the 49ers to defend Graham and the rest of the Saints’ receivers will be to play a zone coverage scheme. The problem with that is Brees will more than likely pick San Francisco’s defense apart by finding the holes within the coverage they’re running.

In the end, the 49ers are going to have their hands full with Graham this Sunday.

Paul Jackiewicz is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Paul_Jackiewicz, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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