49ers vs. Saints Week 12 Live Blog

Will the 49ers play today with the urgency they had last week and most likely will have next week? Because the Saints will play like their season is on the line.

SANTA CLARA -- This is the live blog for the 49ers' Week 12 game against the New Orleans Saints. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.

11:55 Here are the 49ers' inactives: Arik Armstead, Ty Davis-Price, Tyler Kroft, Curtis Robinson, Nick Zakelj.

11:59 Here are the Saints' inactives: Marshon Lattimore, Marquez Callaway, J.T. Gray, Lewis Kidd, Payton Turner, Pete Werner.

12:00 This is an interesting matchup. The 49ers should win easily -- the Saints are 4-7, they have no leaders and are on the brink of collapse. The 49ers could make them quit. But it's a short week for the 49ers, they did lots of traveling last season and they're coming off a big, emotional win over a division opponent. In addition, they have a big game next week against the Miami Dolphins -- a legit Super Bowl contender. Will the 49ers play today with the urgency they had last week and most likely will have next week? Because the Saints will play like their season is on the line. And although they've won only four games, they've beaten the Seahawks, just like the 49ers. So the Niners must play their best to win. The Saints have a good defense that has given Tom Brady problems the past few seasons, which means New Orleans could pose problems for Jimmy Garoppolo as well. Don't expect the 49ers to score lots of points in this game. But don't expect the Saints to score many, either. The 49ers have a great defense, and the Saints have Andy freaking Dalton as their quarterback.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: 49ers 24, Saints 10.

1:23 The 49ers win the toss and defer. The Saints will receive the opening kickoff.

FIRST QUARTER

1:29 On 1st and 10 from the Saints 40, Fred Warner strips the ball from Alvin Kamara and Samson Ebukam recovers the ball at the 43.

1:39 On 3rd and goal from the 5, Jimmy Garoppolo forces a pass to George Kittle in the end zone and nearly gets intercepted by Paulson Adebo, who just dropped the ball. Bad decision from Garoppolo. The Saints rushed only three and dropped eight into coverage because they don't respect Garoppolo's ability to scramble. On fourth down, Robbie Gould makes a 23-yard field goal.

49ers 3, Saints 0.

1:46 On 3rd and 11 from the Saints 35, Andy Dalton scrambles for 10 yards, then the Saints punt. The 49ers take over at their 17.

1:53 On 3rd and 8 from the 49ers 45, Garoppolo overthrows a wide open Christian McCaffrey deep down the field. Garoppolo really is a terrible deep passer. After the punt, the Saints take over at their 11.

SECOND QUARTER

2:02 On 3rd and 11 from the Saints 49, Dalton throws a checkdown pass to Alvin Kamara who gains eight yards. Bold. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 4.

2:08 On 3rd and 12 from the 49ers 15, Garoppolo checks down to McCaffrey who gains just two yards. Bold. Brandon Aiyuk was wide open downfield. After the punt, the Saints take over at the 49ers 38 after Samuel Womack commits a 15-yard penalty on the punt for going out of bounds and not returning immediately back into the field of play.

2:19 On 3rd and 14 from the Saints 42, Chris Olave drops a deep pass from Dalton, and the Saints punt. Lucky break for the 49ers, who take over at their 20.

2:29 On 4th and goal from the 1, Garoppolo scrambles for a loss of 1, and the 49ers turn it over on downs. On the previous play, Garoppolo completed a 1-yard pass to Jauan Jennings when McCaffrey was wide open on the other side of the end zone. Garoppolo never saw him. Deebo Samuel also injured his left leg on 3rd and goal.

2:34 On 3rd and 10 from the 2, Dalton completes a 9-yard pass to Olave. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 43 with 1:47 left in the half.

2:49 On 1st and goal from the 5, Garoppolo throws a pass in the end zone to safety Tyrann Mathieu, who tips the ball to Jauan Jennings, who makes the touchdown catch with 13 seconds left in the half.

49ers 10, Saints 0.

The 49ers will get the ball when the second half begins.

THIRD QUARTER

3:17 On 3rd and 11 from the Saints 28, Paulson Adebo leaps and knocks away a deep pass intended for Aiyuk. Next play, Gould makes a 46-yard field goal. The 49ers are still having trouble scoring touchdowns. Elijah Mitchell left the game with a knee injury and his return is questionable. He just can't stay healthy.

49ers 13, Saints 0.

3:31 On 4th and 5 from the 49ers 25, the Saints commit a false start. Then they miss a 48-yard field goal. I'm starting to think they're not very good.

3:38 On 3rd and 9 from the 49ers 39, Garoppolo completes a 6-yard pass to Aiyuk, and the 49ers go 3 and out. After the punt, the Saints take over at their 12.

3:39 Elijah Mitchell is out with a knee injury. He will not return.

3:40 Spencer Burford has an ankle injury and his return his questionable.

FOURTH QUARTER

3:54 On 2nd and goal from the 6, Dalton completes a short pass to Kamara, who gets hit by Talanoa Hufanga at the goal line and fumbles. Dre Greenlaw recovers at the 1-yard line. That's Kamara's second fumble of the game.

3:57 Spencer Burford is out with an ankle injury. He will not return.

3:58 On 3rd and 6 from the 49ers 5, Garoppolo throws an incomplete pass intended for Deebo Samuel running a slant route, and the 49ers go 3 and out. After the punt, the Saints take over at the 49ers 39 with 9:35 left in regulation.

4:10 On 4th and goal from the 4, Nick Bosa sacks Dalton. What an amazing defensive performance by the 49ers. The 49ers take over at their 11.

4:27 The 49ers win. Stay tuned for their grades.