New Orleans Saints stay perfect with win over San Francisco 49ers
Garrett Hartley kicked a partially blocked 37-yard field goal as time expired as the New Orleans Saints spoiled the San Francisco 49ers home opener with a 25-22 victory Monday night.
The 49ers, playing for the first time at Candlestick Park this season, may have been a little to fired up as they sent the very first snap over the head of quarterback Alex Smith and into the end zone
for a safety for a Saints lead 2-0 in the opening minutes.
Then Drew Brees led the Saints down the field, making accurate throws and connecting with running-back Reggie Bush for a six-yard touchdown pass to put New Orleans up 9-0 in the first quarter. Brees continued
his precision passing and hit David Thomas for a three-yard score to put the Saints up late in the third quarter.
But Smith showed that his maturity and did not allow himself to get rattled and responded with a touchdown pass of his own to Frank Gore, who caught the 12-yard throw. San Francisco got a two-point conversion
with Vernon Davis hauling in a pass for Smith, who finished the night going 23-of-32 for 275 yards.
With the game tied at 22, the Saints had just over a minute to get into field goal range to avoid overtime. Brees connected with Marques Colston for a 30-yard completion to set up the game winning kick
that boosted the Saints to a 2-0 record.
"They played really well," said Brees, who completed 28-of-38 passes for 254 yards. "You've got take your hat off to them, they played hard." But the 49ers turned the ball over four times, two fumbles
and two interceptions, which allowed the defending champs and Brees to steal the game with a last second field goal.
Bush muffed a punt and while he was fighting to get the ball back, two players fell and landed on his leg. Bush tried to run to the sideline after the collision, but was unable and had to be catered off
the field. It was reported that he sustained a break in his lower right leg, an injury that is not believed to be season-ending but one that could keep him out six weeks or longer.
"I'm just trying not to think the worst and just try to stay as positive as I can in this situation," Bush said. "That's all you can do, hope for the best."
On the festive side of things, the 49ers retired Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's No. 80 jersey at halftime.
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