Saints coach Sean Payton gave the 49ers defense a lot of credit after the Saints escaped with San Francisco with a 25-22 win.
The Saints got outplayed after the first quarter, but fate seemed to be on their side.
New Orleans is now winning the turnover battle 5-0 on the season, the biggest reason they are 2-0 in the standings.
The Saints have to get over the game immediately with Atlanta coming to town.
Special teamer Courtney Roby was one of the heroes of the night.
Frank Gore, who shredded the Saints to the tune of 168 total yards and two scores, thought the better team lost. “We whupped their behinds up and down the field. They can’t stand up with us,” he said.
49ers players sounded defiant after the close loss.
San Francisco’s goal line stand in the fourth quarter gave the team a chance to win.
Quarterback Alex Smith impressed just about everyone with his performance, which included a great late drive and 275 yards passing on only 32 attempts. (Smith had two deflected passes picked off.)
Wideout Josh Morgan on Smith’s effort: “He came and commanded the whole huddle, he commanded respect in the huddle. He just played a great game. He came in with confidence and kept us going.”