It was over when ...
Saints WR Marques Colston beat 49ers CB Walt Harris for his second touchdown catch of the day, putting the Saints up 24-0 with 50 seconds remaining in the first half. New Orleans wasn't challenged the rest of the game and handed San Francisco its fifth consecutive loss.
Game balls
The man behind center for the Saints looked a lot like the 2006 version of Drew Brees. He connected on 31 of 39 passes (to 10 different receivers) for 336 yards and four touchdowns and made 10 consecutive completions at one point over the second and third quarters. The early creative play-calling by the Saints put pressure on the Niners defense. Saints backup QB Jamie Martin even took some snaps in the fourth quarter with the team leading by three touchdowns.
Key stat
The 49ers didn't enter the red zone until the third quarter and only made it past the 20 twice the entire game, a sign of San Francisco's stalled offense. Last season's NFC rushing leader Frank Gore had just 41 yards on 12 carries, while ailing QB Alex Smith connected on just 22 of 43 passes for 190 yards. The 49ers have managed only 12 possesions inside the the red zone this season.
Noteworthy
San Francisco's offensive line gave up two sacks and has allowed 26 sacks this season; they allowed 35 in 16 games last year. ... The Niners have lost five in a row by a combined 133-51.
