NEW ORLEANS (14-3) At SAN FRANCISCO (13-3)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Fox
OPENING LINE - Saints by 3
RECORD VS. SPREAD - New Orleans 13-4; San Francisco 11-4-1
SERIES RECORD - 49ers lead 45-24-2
SAINTS OFFENSE - OVERALL (1), RUSH (6), PASS (1)
SAINTS DEFENSE - OVERALL (24), RUSH (12), PASS (30)
49ERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (26), RUSH (8), PASS (29)
49ERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (4), RUSH (1), PASS (16)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Saints have won six straight against 49ers since losing 2001 season finale in final game before leaving NFC West. ... Saints set NFL record by converting league-best 56.7 percent of third-down conversions, including 41.3 percent when needing at least 10 yards. Niners second to last, converting 29.4 percent of third downs. ... New Orleans has topped 600 yards past two weeks, including playoff-record 626 against Detroit. New England is only other team to gain 600 yards in game this season. ... Saints 9-0 at home this season, averaging 41.6 points and 507.4 yards per game, compared to 5-3 on road with 27.3 points and 441.6 yards per game. ... New Orleans has lost all four road playoff games in franchise history. ... Saints QB Drew Brees has thrown for 5,942 yards, including his one postseason game, second to Dan Marino's 6,085 in the 1984 regular and postseason. ... San Francisco playing first playoff game since after 2002 season. Only long snapper Brian Jennings remains from that team. ... 49ers had plus-28 turnover margin, leading league in both takeaways with 28 and fewest giveaways with 10. ... San Francisco had best average starting spot for drives on offense and defense this season, starting own drives on average at the 33.5 and opponents at the 24.3. ... 49ers allowed three rushing TDs - all in final two games - the fewest ever in 16-game season. ... San Francisco QB Alex Smith completed just 40 percent of his passes in red zone, the lowest figure among 24 QBs with at least 40 throws inside opponent's 20. ... 49ers had 22 TDs in 54 red-zone trips this season, third lowest rate in NFL. ... San Francisco K David Akers set NFL record with 44 field goals this season, including seven from at least 50 yards.
