This is a 10* BLOCKBUSTER on the San Francisco 49ers.

Desperation breeds motivation, San Francisco has looked brilliant at times this year and pretty pedestrian at others, but I think has a real shot at winning this one outright. Both teams are at 4-4. New Orleans though comes in a bit complacent I think today, its back to back wins have propelled it into first in the week division. San Francisco on the other hand has dropped two straight and finds itself three games behind West-leading Arizona and a game back of Seattle. The visitors will be especially motivated here after last week's ugly 13-10 home loss to division rival St. Louis. QB Colin Kaepernick was sacked eight times last week after being sacked just six times in the first seven games; Kaepernick definitely catches a break this week though vs. this suspect Saints unit. New Orleans comes in off a 28-10 win over Carolina but the victory came at a cost; already down RB's Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson, FB Austin Johnson was lost due to an injury. San Francisco gets a bit healthier defensively this week though with the expected return of LB Patrick Willis. Note that San Francisco is a perfect 3-0 ATS the last two seasons after two or more consecutive SU losses, while New Orleans is just 5-6 ATS the last two years after two or more consecutive SU victories. The situation, the numbers and the trends all point to SAN FRANCISCO as the savvy move in this one.

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