Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
New Orleans Saints punter Matthew Hayball punts during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
New Orleans Saints' Cedrick Wilson Jr. returns a punt against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles, left, breaks up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers tight end Eric Saubert (82) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles, foreground left, breaks up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers tight end Eric Saubert, middle, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams, right, runs against San Francisco 49ers safety Tracy Walker III, rear, and cornerback Renardo Green during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes as San Francisco 49ers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, middle, and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott apply pressure during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means, left, runs against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Samuel Womack III during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
New Orleans Saints cornerback Rico Payton (36) cannot intercept the ball as he and safety Johnathan Abram (24) defend against a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor, bottom, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) passes as San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle T.Y. McGill applies pressure during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Rico Payton (36) breaks up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Danny Gray (6) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Tay Martin (86) is tackled against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn (31) is tackled against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.
- Saints vs Niners Quick Hits: The conditions were ideal for the second Saints preseason game. Gametime temperature was 76 degrees in Santa Clara (about 47 miles south of downtown San Francisco), sunny, with a stiff 15 mpg NNW wind (left to right). The surface at Levi's Stadium is Bermuda grass, that would rival any stadium in America. It was evident that, unlike last week in Arizona, the field had not been touched at all prior to Sunday's game --- For the second straight week, the Saints wore white jerseys with gold pants, while San Francisco wore its traditional red jerseys with gold pants.-- Kicker Charlie Smythe was displaying his strong leg in pregame warmups, kicking a 57-yard field goal into the wind with plenty to spare. -- Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak made his first visit to Santa Clara since leaving his position of offensive passing game specialist for the 49ers last season. Coincidentally or not, Kubiak's younger brother Klay has moved into his older brothers former role in San Francisco. --- Notable absences for the Saints preseason game No. 2 - On offense, running backs Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller, wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, and left tackle Taliese Fuaga. Landon Young started at left tackle in place of Fuaga. Young had worked at left tackle all week when Fuaga was absent and the team was still in Irvine. On defense, linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner, cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo.
- A thing of beauty: The third offensive possession of Sunday's game was one that Saints fans have been waiting for during this preseason especially with the first team unit out there. Even during the practices in Irvine, it has been a struggle at times for the first unit, in most part due to consistent pressure on quarterback Derek Carr. However, on Sunday evening in Santa Clara, it all came together. Despite being backed up on their own 5-yard line, Carr went to work, but he had a lot of help. Specifically the running game, which really opened things up. Two big runs from Jamaal Williams and Taysom Hill for 15 and 11 yards, respectively, giving the Saints some breathing room out their own 38-yard line. Then Carr hit Chris Olave for a chunk play of 19 yards for another first down got the Saints into 49er territory at the 43-yard line. The Saints went for it on a fourth-and-5 from the 49er 38. Carr found rookie receiver Bub Means in the right flat for seven yards and the conversion, keeping the drive alive. Jamaal Williams went for 10 more yards, and the Saints were really in business down to the 21-yard line as the first quarter was ebbing away. Two more plays saw the quarter end with the ball at the 19-yard line as the teams would switch ends to the north end zone and into the wind. A big third-down conversion on another solid run by Jamaal Williams who converted a third-and-five with a 6-yard scamper down to the 9 setting up a first-and-goal. Jordan Mims carried the ball twice to the 1-yard line, setting up one more fourth-down conversion. Hill lined up at fullback in front of Williams, got the quick handoff from Carr and bullied into the endzone for a 6-0 lead. The play capped off a masterful 16-play, 95-yard drive that took over half a quarter at 8:17 seconds. It was the best drive for the first-team offense since we the first practice in California on July 24.
- Play of the Day: With the Saints trailing 16-10, the potential game-winning drive had stalled at the San Francisco 37- yard line, and was down to one play. On fourth-and-five, the Saints needed something to happen. Quarterback Jake Haener was in the shotgun and looked left toward Kevin Austin Jr., who was being covered tightly by safety Tayler Hawkins. Austin went up - and despite the tight coverage and contact - made a fantastic catch for 12 yards to the San Francisco 25-yard line, giving the Saints four more downs and an opportunity to win the game. It was also the seventh straight fourth down conversion for the Saints in the preseason. Unfortunately, that streak came to an end a few plays later as Haener's last ditch effort on fourth-and-seven from the San Francisco 22-yard line fell incomplete to receiver A.T. Perry on a back shoulder throw into the end zone. We have been talking about Austin's knack to come up with big plays all throughout training camp, and Sunday he came through again. When we talk again, it will be in New Orleans!! Thanks for everything, California, but it's time to come home to NOLA!!
