Depleted Saints Return Home to Face 49ers

The Saints are currently facing an injury epidemic that few have seen before in the NFL. One-fifth of the Saints roster is out with injuries. Throw in the recent suspension of OG Jamar Nesbit and the Saints are struggling to find enough players to field a team.

At 1-2 the Saints season is far from over, but with injuries to guys like Marques Colston, Randall Gay, Scott Fujita, Terrance Copper and Aaron Glenn, the season could start to look bleek. Add newly injured players Jammal Brown, David Patton and Jeremy Shockey and it could get ugly quickly.

But as long as QB Drew Brees is healthy, it may not matter who he's throwing the ball to. Right now, the the only healthy receivers are Devery Henderson, Lance Moore and Robert Meachem. The Saints are so thin at TE that Buck Ortega and newly signed Sean Ryan could see significant action this weekend.

The defense was already hurting, but Fujita and Antwan Lake practiced this week, giving the team hope that they'll be some relief soon. With the 49ers coming to the Superdome this weekend, many fans are thinking the Saints will get back on the winning side.

All of these injuries could make it tough to defeat the 49ers and former Saints J.T. O'Sullivan. But I don't think Drew Brees will let his team get down on themselves or use injuries as an excuse. Brees will spread the ball around and involve Reggie Bush as much as possible, and the Saints offense will probably have to score in the 30s to pull off the team's second victory.

Prediction:
49ers 30
Saints 34