NFL Playoffs: Answering 10 Questions from the 49ers vs. Saints

Prior to kickoff in last night's thriller of a match, I wrote here about the 10 questions that would determine the outcome of the game, although I don't think anybody would have predicted how good that game would end up being.

And after the Niners eventually knocked off the Saints 36-32, with Alex Smith throwing the winning touchdown in the final seconds of the match, I think it's only fair we look at the answers to the 10 questions that were posed leading in to the game.

Maybe it will give us some insight into the San Francisco victory. Maybe it'll help us understand how four touchdowns were scored in the final five minutes. Or maybe it will just help us relive one of the greatest finished to a playoff game, not just in Saints or Niners history, but that of the entire NFL.

1. Just how good is the 49ers defense?

Predicted advantage: San Francisco 49ers

Throughout the season, it was clear that the defense of the 49ers was what kept them in games to a large extent, and it was clear that their defense was the only way of stopping the New Orleans Saints.

And to a large extent, the defense did the job it was expected to do. Drew Brees only completed at 63 percent for the game, and despite allowing 32 points and 462 yards for Brees, they held the Saints out when it counted.

They won the turnover battle, forcing fumbles at key moments, and the two interceptions off Brees changed the momentum of the game back for the 49ers. It wasn't their best defensive performance, but it did get the job done, and that's all they needed it to do.

Actual advantage: San Francisco 49ers

2. Can the Saints win away from home?

Predicted advantage: San Francisco 49ers

Much was made of the Saints' inability to win road games and chalk up wins on grassy, outdoor surfaces, though many expected them still to come through with the win. Trust me, I was on that list.

And in answer to the question, no, the Saints can't win away from home when it counts. I don't think it was the outdoor stadium that beat them, and I don't think the grass was the reason Brees threw interceptions, but at the end of the day, they did lose on the road.

Again. Make that 0-5 on the road in playoffs for Brees.

Actual advantage: San Francisco 49ers

3. Is Alex Smith good enough to match it with the Saints?

Predicted advantage: New Orleans Saints

For me, this question was the key for the match, for in order to beat New Orleans, you're going to have to score 30-odd points, and I didn't know if Smith had it in him.

However, three touchdown passes, a rushing touchdown, 300 yards and 36 points later, Smith showed that he did. He made big throws down the stretch, and proved the critics wrong.

Can he do it again next week in against Rodgers or Manning? That remains to be unseen, but if he plays like he did last night, he will go a long way to achieving the same result.

Actual advantage: San Francisco 49ers

4. What happens if Drew Brees doesn't get going?

Predicted advantage: San Francisco 49ers

It was critical for the Saints that Brees was firing, as everybody knew. But the real question was always going to be whether they could win even without a brilliant Brees.

And despite Brees rallying them back from 17 points down, and almost clinching a victory twice, to be fair, he didn't have his best game. Part of that is the lack of any other sort of game from the Saints.

Did their defense step up? Yes, more than usual, but it wasn't good enough. 36 points to the Niners is not going to win you a football game. And the running game...I know it's against San Fransisco, but 30 rushing yards and fumbles is terrible and not good enough for the playoffs.

Actual advantage: San Francisco 49ers

5. Is New Orleans' running game good enough?

Predicted advantage: San Francisco 49ers

As I mentioned above, the answer is a resounding no. Pierre Thomas knocked out and fumbled close to the San Fran goal line, Sproles went for one yard per carry and, including Brees' rushing, they totaled 37 yards for the game, which is less than Frank Gore chalked up in one run.

To beat the Niners, they did need the run game to gain some traction and move the chain, and to be honest, it was simply not at all up to standard. Harsh, maybe. Yes, against the Niners, but still, 37 yards for the game?

Actual advantage: San Francisco 49ers

6. Whose offensive line will have a greater impact?

Predicted advantage: New Orleans Saints

In order for either Smith or Brees to control the game, they needed time in the pocket to make their big throws and not get sacked and lose yards. Thus, the offensive lines were key for each side, especially considering the pass rush of both sides.

Three sacks recorded for the Saints and two for the 49ers, but once you include Smith's two fumbles (one of which they got back), and the completion rate of both sides, I did think New Orleans won this battle. Brees had time to move out of the pocket, and when he did, the Saints moved down field with ease.

They pressured Smith and forced stops, they just couldn't do it when it mattered the most.

Actual advantage: New Orleans Saints

7. Will the time-of-possession battle win the game for either side?

Predicted advantage: New Orleans Saints

I wrote before the game that the time-of-possession battle wouldn't matter as much because with the offensive power of Brees, scoring in under a minute wouldn't be an issue, and that the real factor would be scoring at the end of drives.

And after watching the Saints fumble it on the Niners goal line, and poorly manage the clock on their last two drives, I'm saying that the Niners did win it. I know it's not the Saints' fault that Colston and Graham both beat bad defensive plays and had runaway touchdowns, but at the end of ti all, Smith won the game for San Fran because he had time to do it.

Actual advantage: Split

8. Can the 49ers corners and safeties make big plays on the ball?

Predicted advantage: New Orleans Saints

Well, didn't this turn out to be the million dollar question. After Drew Brees shattered passing and touchdown records for this season, it was going to be critical that the Niners secondary stopped completions and touchdowns from the Saints' go-to-guy.

And after forcing Brees throw two interceptions and only throw two touchdowns until the final five minutes, where he threw two more, the secondary of the 49ers beat the passing game of the Saints. Brees' usual completion rate of 71 percent was dropped to just above 60 percent, and it's safe to say considering the abilities of Brees, San Francisco won this battle.

Actual advantage: San Francisco 49ers

9. Who will win the coaching battle?

Predicted advantage: San Francisco 49ers

While there isn't a whole lot to go off in the coaching battle, it's tough not to give the win to Harbaugh. I mean, after all, he did win the game. And throw in to that a stellar play call for Smith's rushing touchdown at a critical point in the game, he takes the cake in this one.

Takes the cake, and eats the whole thing too.

Actual advantage: San Francisco 49ers

10. What about the weather?

Predicted advantage: Split

Pretty straightforward in this one: predicted as a split, and outcome as a split. The Saints did continue their horrible run on the road and on grass, but the elements didn't really play a fator in this one.

The Niners deserved a victory, and the matchup against the Packers or Giants in the NFC Championship Game looks like being another thrilling matchup. The win over the Saints will set them in great stead for that one and we eagerly look forward for next week's match.

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