Current Odds

The oddsmakers opened the Saints as a 4½-point road favorite and the early money quickly came in on the favorite, pushing the line to -5½. There is a chance the line will rise higher on Monday night as 73% of the public is backing the Saints according to the Covers Consensus.

There has been very little movement on the total as some sportsbooks opened at 44½, while most opened at 44 which is where the number currently stands. The line might rise higher on Monday night as 69% of the Covers Consensus is favoring the Over.

The weather conditions will not be an issue at Candlestick Park as the forecast is calling for clear conditions with a 69 degree temperature at kickoff and winds only around 9 mph.

Injury Report

San Francisco’s leading tackler from last season, LB Patrick Willis was limited in practice Friday because of knee and thumb injuries, but he is expected to play. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky was asked if the thumb was broken and replied, “No, I don't think it is. That would be news to me. He’s fine. He’ll be ready to go on Monday.”

Center Eric Heitmann (fibula), wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (knee), cornerback Will James (ankle), and right guard Chilo Rachal (stinger) did not participate in practice and are all listed as doubtful to play this week.

The long stretch between games has been positive for the Saints’ injury report. Only three players are listed as doubtful this week; tailback Chris Ivory (knee), offensive tackle Zach Strief (knee), and linebacker Anthony Waters (hamstring).

Linebacker Stanley Arnoux (ankle) practiced fully and is expected to return after being injured early in training camp. New Orleans is still without two other linebackers, Jonathan Casillas and Clint Ingram, plus free safety Darren Sharper who are on the injured list.

Primetime Saints

New Orleans is no stranger to playing under the primetime lights. Monday night’s game in San Francisco will be the Saints’ fifth consecutive primetime game dating back to last year’s playoff run. This team is used to be under the spotlight of the cameras, and it’s a situation they’ve grown accustomed to according to head coach Sean Payton.

"When you start to have success, part of what comes with it are the Thursday nights, the Thanksgiving Days, the Monday nights, the Monday nights on the road," Payton said. "It's really where you want to be, and yet you understand that there's a challenge with that."

The Offensive 49ers

San Francisco’s offensive execution and production in their season opener at Seattle was atrocious. The 49ers scored just 6 points on a pair of Joe Nedney field goals. They actually led that game against the Seahawks 6-0 before getting out-scored by 31 points the rest of the way to lose 31-6.

Quarterback Alex Smith played a terrible game as he completed just 26 of his 45 passes for 225 yards and 2 interceptions. The 49ers had just 49 rushing yards and they converted on just 6% (1-15) of their third downs and they also went 0-3 inside the red zone.

Call an Exterminator

San Francisco was blasted in the media following the anemic offensive performance in Seattle, and head coach Mike Singletary went nuts after being questioned about an online sports story that said there was dissention between the offensive coaches.

Singletary said there is a “rat” and “coward” in the 49ers locker room as the online story quoted an unnamed source. “One thing that I want to teach our guys is to be men. If there's something that you have to say, go say it, and say that you said it," Singletary said. "But don't go say a bunch of stuff (without attribution). To me, that's a rat, that's a coward. I don't want to spend my time trying to find a rat. In time, the smell will come."