NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: 49ers' Physical Defense Will Dominate Saints Offense

When the New Orleans Saints advanced to the Divisional Playoff Round to take on the San Francisco 49ers, the prevailing thought was that they are too strong offensively for the 49ers to handle. But to overlook the 49ers defense would be a mistake that will come back to bite you. 

We all watched in awe as Drew Brees picked apart the Detroit Lions defense last week. He did exactly what we have seen him do all season long. As great as he was, he had a lot of help from the running game and bad tackling by the Lions. 

As Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote, everything that the Lions did wrong against the Saints is something that the 49ers have proven to be great at all season. 

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The Lions had no running attack in this game (10 rushes, 32 yards). The 49ers own the eighth-best running game in the league.

Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch had a horrible game. He was constantly manipulated by Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Tulloch was also late covering the middle in the Lions two-deep defense. That won’t happen with 49ers linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, who have more speed and hopefully, more awareness than Tulloch.

The Lions had two horrendous coverage breaks that led to touchdowns. They forgot to cover tight end Jimmy Graham who scored on a 3-yard touchdown. They did the same thing with Robert Meachem on a 56-yard score. The 49ers haven’t committed glaring coverage mistakes this year in their secondary.

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Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and Chris Ivory combined to run for 164 yards and three touchdowns in that game. That won't happen against the 49ers and their top-ranked run defense. They are a great tackling team that can overpower the Saints' offensive line in the trenches. 

Even if there are holes in the 49ers secondary, their front seven is strong enough to make Brees uncomfortable, moving around to get him to make a mistake. 

And Brees has been prone to making turnovers away from the Superdome. He threw 14 interceptions this season, and eight of them came in four games on the road. 

The 49ers are going to have to force those turnovers to get their offense extra possessions to put up enough points to win this game, but the defense is strong enough to do everything it has to in order to put Alex Smith and co. on a short field. 

It also helps that they have Andy Lee, who is the best punter in the NFL. He will pin the Saints deep in their own territory all game long, allowing the defense to make quick stops and set up the offense. 

We have all gotten so wrapped up in the dominant offensive performances that we have seen throughout the NFL this year, that when a team like San Francisco comes along and plays strong defense with an adequate offense, we forget to give them their due. 

There won't be anyone forgetting them after Saturday night. 

AFC Divisional Playoff Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 14 at 8:00 p.m. EDT on CBS: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

Sunday, Jan. 15 at 1:00 p.m. EDT on CBS: Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

NFC Divisional Playoff Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 14 at 4:30 p.m. EDT on FOX: New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, Jan. 15 at 4:30 p.m. EDT on FOX: New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

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