49ers vs. New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees threw for 336 yards and four touchdowns and the New Orleans Saints beat the 49ers 31-10 at Candlestick Park. Alex Smith, in his return from injury, threw for 190 yards and a touchdown to Vernon Davis. Davis caught six for 71. Frank Gore ran for 41. The 49ers' defense surrendered 336 to Brees and could not contain Marques Colston. The 49ers fell to 2-5.[1][2][3]

Drew Brees went 31-of-39 for 336 yards and four touchdowns Sunday afternoon at Candlestick. The New Orleans Saints beat the 49ers 31-10 in the kind of home loss where Alex Smith's return from injury was the day's only competitive story.

Smith threw for 190 and a touchdown to Vernon Davis. Davis caught six for 71 (the kind of breakthrough game the second-year tight end's coaches had been waiting for). Frank Gore ran for 41. Darrell Jackson caught three for 28. The defense surrendered four touchdown passes to Brees, the kind of volume passing the year's defensive identity had not been built to contain.

2-5. The kind of home loss where the offensive identity, even with Smith back, was not enough. The Atlanta Falcons on the road next Sunday in another cross-conference matchup. The kind of October where the year's competitive arc has officially turned. Mike Nolan's third year is now in a different conversation.

Saints 31, 49ers 10. Margin: -21. Seven-game record: 2-5, -78 differential.

* Drew Brees: 31-of-39 for 336, 4 TDs, 0 INTs.
* Aaron Stecker: 12 carries for 35.
* Marques Colston: receiving production with TD.
* Alex Smith (return from injury): 22-of-43 for 190, 1 TD (to Davis), 0 INTs.
* Frank Gore: 12 carries for 41.
* Vernon Davis: 6 catches for 71, 1 TD.
* 49ers 2-5; Saints 3-4.

A 31-10 home loss to the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick. Alex Smith returns from injury. The 49ers fall to 2-5.

How it unfolded

The Saints scored on their opening drive with a Brees touchdown to make it 7-0. The 49ers answered with a Joe Nedney field goal. The Saints added two more touchdowns in the second quarter to push the lead to 21-3 at halftime. The third quarter was a Brees fourth touchdown to make it 28-3. Alex Smith hit Vernon Davis for a 17-yard touchdown to make it 28-10. The Saints added a fourth-quarter field goal to close it 31-10.

The turning point

The Saints' two second-quarter touchdowns. With the 49ers down 7-3 and Smith looking comfortable in his return, the back-to-back Brees scores pushed the lead to 21-3 and made the second half a one-score-at-a-time chase.

By the numbers

Smith 190 passing on 43 attempts with a TD (to Davis). Gore 41 rushing on 12 carries. Davis 71 receiving on 6 catches with the TD. Darrell Jackson 28 receiving. Brees 336 passing on 39 attempts with four TDs. Aaron Stecker 35 rushing.

Personnel watch

Alex Smith's return from the separated shoulder, the kind of seven-quarter loss where the return-game competitive performance was visible. Vernon Davis's breakthrough six-catch game with a touchdown. Frank Gore productive but limited touches. The defense's four-touchdown surrender to Brees the year's defensive low-water mark.

What it means

2-5 with the Falcons on the road next Sunday. The kind of home loss that, even with Smith back, exposed the year's year's problems on defense. Vernon Davis's breakout day is the kind of game the second-year tight end's coaches will use as the year's lone offensive bright spot.