San Francisco 49ers Win in Big Easy

      It was touted as a big game for both teams: the New Orleans Saints v. the San Francisco 49ers.  Both teams were holding similar win/loss records:10-2se, and most losses came in the final seconds.  Quarterback Drew Brees of the Saints is approaching record territory for a player, approaching a record number of touchdown passes for his career.  The 49ers quarterback is having a career season, leading the best defense in the league and one of the best team offenses in the NFL.
     '9ers scored in the first few minutes, with a touchdown on the 9th play of the drive.   The Saints responded immediately with their own touchdown, 7-7.   Then, it was a struggle for both teams; back and forth, the teams played with bruising action that complemented strategies designed to upset plans for both teams.  Field goal kickers came into action to nudge up the scores to give or takeaway the lead.  49er kicker Gould had come back from the DL, and was not 100% ready.  Coach Kyle Shanahan knew Gould was his best option and his choice proved correct.   Gould's field goal with seconds remaining was the difference as the 49er's won, 48-46.  This score was the highest league score this season.
       Drew Brees and the Saints scored the go ahead touchdown with less than a minute to go as they marched down the field.  Brees connected on long passes including the final pass for the touchdown.  It appeared the San Francisco team was finished.  The Saints missed a 2-point conversion attempt that proved critical:  thw 49ers would only need a field goal to win.
      After moving the ball close to midfield, the 49ers were stuck, with 4th down and 2 yards to go for a first down.  Jimmy Garappolo called a pass play to tight end George Kittle who caught the ball on the run.  As he turned up field, the Saint defender made an attempt to bring him down, but in the process grabbed the face mask and everybody saw it an flags fluttered to the ground as Kittle added another 10 yards on his own.  After 2 more plays, the attempt was made from the 30yd line and was successful.  game over: 48-46.
Nice game, especially for the 49ers.