Saints 31, 49ers 10: Rattler near-perfect, Kamara scores twice as New Orleans defense grabs three picks

NEW ORLEANS, LA - The New Orleans Saints rolled through Season 33, Week 2 with a 31-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers, powered by a near-flawless day from Spencer Rattler and a two-score performance from Alvin Kamara. New Orleans' defense changed the game with three interceptions of Brock Purdy, pitching a second-half shutout to even its record at 1-1 and drop San Francisco to 0-2.

Game Recap

The Saints struck first on a 34-yard field goal from Blake Grupe. San Francisco answered with a 7-yard keeper by Purdy and later a 22-yard kick from Jake Moody at the halftime horn to lead 10-3.

Everything flipped after the break. Rattler tied it with a 5-yard strike to Moliki Matavao, then found Rashid Shaheed on a quick hitter that became an 82-yard burst down the right sideline. Kamara closed it with fourth-quarter touchdown runs of 6 and 9 yards as New Orleans' front controlled the trenches. For San Francisco, Christian McCaffrey ripped two explosive runs (108 yards on 9 carries), and George Kittle moved the chains underneath, but three second-half takeaways by the Saints-courtesy of Ugo Amadi, Julian Blackmon, and Desmond King II-slammed the door.

Key Stats

Rattler: 17/20, 305 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT (152.0). Kamara: 20 rush, 96 yards, 2 TD. Shaheed: 2 rec, 102 yards, TD (82). Matavao: 3/45/TD. Olave: 6/86. Purdy: 22/42, 224 yards, 3 INT. McCaffrey: 9 rush, 108 yards. Grupe: FG 34, 4/4 XP (1/2 FG). Moody: FG 22, 1/1 XP. Team: Saints 448 offensive yards; 49ers 347; NO +3 turnover margin.

Quotes

"Coach told us to stay patient-take the profit and wait for the shot. The Shaheed play flipped it," Rattler said. "The line leaned on them in the fourth. My job was to finish," Kamara said. "That's our identity-hit, rally and take the ball," Blackmon said. "Once we got one pick, the momentum was ours."

Up Next

The 49ers finally return for their home opener against the visiting Arizona Cardinals. The Saints head to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Seahawks.