49ers vs. Saints Point Spread: NFL Week 2 Odds, Prediction
Last season, two-time first-team All-Pro Christian McCaffrey was limited to four games, and San Francisco lost seven of eight down the stretch to finish 6-11 and miss the playoffs for the first time in four years. On the flip side, the glory years of coach Sean Payton are quickly fading as New Orleans has missed the playoffs four straight seasons, and last year’s 5-12 record was the franchise’s worst in 19 years.
With plenty of injury news surrounding San Francisco, this game could be closer than most fans expect.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The visiting 49ers are three-point favourites with a current money line of -165. New Orleans has a current money line of +140. The total is 40.5 points. San Francisco covered as a 1.5-point favourite in last week’s four-point triumph over the Seahawks. The Saints just missed covering as a 4.5-point dog versus the Cardinals.
Both teams played to the Under. The 49ers and Seahawks combined for 30 points, 13.5 short of the listed 43.5-point total. Arizona and the Saints were 11.5 points short, as their combined 33 points fell 11.5 points short of the 44.5-point total.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco won last week, but many are considering it a Pyrrhic victory. While McCaffrey returned to form, totaling 142 yards rushing and receiving, there were also an abundance of injuries. All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who hauled in the first of Brock Purdy’s two touchdown passes, left the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury that put him on the injured list this week.
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings also left the game, and worse, Purdy, who threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns, may be out multiple weeks following toe and shoulder injuries he suffered in the game. Additionally, they cut kicker Jake Moody after he missed two short field goal attempts. He was replaced by veteran Eddy Piñiero.
On the plus side, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s return was a successful one, as the 49ers outgained Seattle, 384-230.
New Orleans Saints
Rookie head coach Kellen Moore, who came over from the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, lost his debut. It was the Saints’ first opening week loss in seven years. Spencer Rattler threw for 214 yards, but that came on 46 passes as both New Orleans and the Cardinals were very conservative on offense. Although the Saints outgained the Cardinals, 315-276, they were hurt tremendously by 12 penalties totaling 89 yards, many of which occurred on offense.
Veteran defensive end Cam Jordan, expected to serve in a reserve role this year, replaced injured Chase Young and had 1.5 sacks to start his 15th season.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win 49ers vs. Saints?
Backup quarterback Mac Jones, a former first-round pick who briefly starred with the New England Patriots before floundering in a collapsing system, is slated to start in Purdy’s place Sunday. He started eight games in place of the injured Trevor Lawrence for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. He’s a serviceable backup, but without Kittle and Jennings, everything will come down to McCaffrey, whose injury history is shaky as well.
The Saints will be one of the worst teams in the league this season, but they played hard under Moore last week. With San Francisco’s offense already digging deep into the depth chart, I’ll take an upset here and go with the Saints at home, 17-13.
SF
NO