NFL Playoffs 2012: What 49ers Must Do to Shock Sizzling Saints

In Candlestick Park, Frank Gore is the San Francisco 49ers' only hope to turn the light out on the New Orleans Saints season.

New Orleans has scored at least 42 points in the last four games. San Francisco’s defense is tough, but Drew Brees will be too much. The only way to cool off Brees and the scorching Saints offense is to play keep away, and that begins and ends with the 49ers running game.

After an injury-plagued 2010 campaign, Gore has bounced back strong, rushing for 1,211 yards and eight touchdowns on 4.3 yards a pop. The former Miami Hurricane hasn’t surpassed the century mark since Week 9, though, thanks to more injuries.

San Francisco only gave Gore seven carries against the St. Louis Rams in the regular season finale.  Throw in the bye week, and hopefully for the 49ers’ sake, their star running back is back to 100 percent by Saturday. Their ability to pick up four yards at a time and milk the clock will ultimately determine if they can pull the upset.

New Orleans fields the 12th-ranked run defense in the NFL, so it isn’t like that will be a cakewalk. The Detroit Lions may not boast a San Francisco-caliber rushing attack, but they only managed to record 32 yards on the ground against the Saints, leading to their first-round exit.

If San Francisco can establish the run, then they will without a doubt be able to march the football down the field. New Orleans’ run defense may be solid, but against the pass, they’re ranked 30th in the NFL.

Now, statistics lie a bit in this case because opposing offenses are forced to abandon the running game early against the Saints thanks to the explosive Brees and company, but Alex Smith will be able to pick apart the New Orleans secondary if Roman Harper is forced to creep up into the box to slow down Gore.

If Gore, Kendall Hunter, Mike Iupati and the 49ers offensive line play the game of their lives, they will shock the world and knock off the streaking Saints.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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