Niners shock the Saints in a classic, 36-32

Alex Smith was once a first overall pick and now a QB that has failed expectations and lowered the expectations of a once proud San Francisco franchise. But for one day, Alex Smith was Joe Montana. All those expectations for the Niners turned around this season as they earned an impressive 13-3 record with a rookie head coach in Jim Harbaugh. The second seed in the playoffs still did not prove anything to the football fans of America as the Saints came marching into Candlestick, expected to win. The Niners would have to use every second of their BYE week to formulate a game plan to wrangle the Saints offense. The plan worked. Put pressure on Brees and take away the run, which Resulted in 3 sacks and 63 pass attempts from Breesy. The 49ers took advantage of some early turnovers and took a surprising 17-0 lead in the second quarter. New Orleans offense would fight back though as they took a 24-23 lead with four minutes left in the game on an explosive Darren Sproles screen play. Then things got interesting. With two minutes and in field goal range, Alex Smith ran a QB draw for 28 yards and a TD. The two-point attempt failed and San Fran held a five point lead. The crowd at Canldestick was rejuvenated; however, the unspeakable would occur. The explosive Saints offense scored a 66 yard TD from a pass to Jimmy Graham, which led to a 3 point lead after a successful two-point conversion. Then NFL history would occur. Alex Smith became Joe Montana as he led the Niners down the field to the 14 yard line with 9 seconds left. On the very next play, Vernon Davis became T.O. As he caught and hung on to a TD pass, which marked the return of the Niners to the NFC Championship game.

Saints top the Lions, 45-28

The Lions return to the NFL playoffs was short-lived, but they fought hard. The only problem was that they were put up against Drew Brees and the red-hot Saints. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson hooked up a few times for TDs, but Breesy made things look easy as he racked up 466 yards against the Lions secondary. Detroit set the tone with a great opening drive and really controlled the game in the first half. It wasn't till the second half that the Saints explosive offense ignited and it wasn't till the last quarter that the Saints marched away. The 49ers will have to put up big offensive numbers if they want to win in Candlestick.

Brees has broken the all-time single season passing record, Saints rout Atlanta 45-16

5087 passing yards in an NFL season is unheard of, that is until today. Drew Brees broke Dan Marino's single season record for most passing yards in an NFL season as he tossed the ball to Darren Sproles to score a TD late in the game, which broke the record. It was all New Orleans on MNF as they routed the Falcons and showed them that the Saints are the cream of the crop in the south as they clinched the NFC South title. It was only fitting for the record to be broken in the Superdome on primetime TV in front of thousands of Saints fans. The record can be set next week, but after the playoffs, will Brees return to New Orleans or will he leave for a bigger team?

Saints rip the Giants on MNF, 49-24

Drew bares looked like the Super Bowl XLIV MVP (maybe not a basketball MVP though) as he shredded the Giants defense with 5 total TDs. The Saints started hot and never relinquished their lead as they improve to 8-3 as they try to run away with the NFC South this season.

Quest for Super Bowl XLVI begins

The Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints are set to clash in Lambeau Field Thursday night. The winners of the past two Super Bowls will look to win again in a match up that features two of the leagues top QBs in Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. This season looked as though it wouldn't begin this offseason due to a lock-out. Now, the race is on for the Lombardi Trophy.