November 25, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
Welcome to Golden Gate Sports’ live blog of 49ers vs. Saints Week 12 action. Follow along as we provide updates and analysis on this thrilling game between two rivals!
And that will do it! Niners win 31-21 in the Superdome. Stay tuned for a recap.
Saints’ Bunkley kicks a fallen Niner, he’s been ejected.
Akers’ field goal attempt is blocked, Saints recover.
2 minute warning, Niners closing in on another victory.
But that’s negated because of a hold by Mike Iupati.
And Gore finishes off what he started with a touchdown run.
Gore bustles for a first down. Less than 4 minutes remaining.
Incomplete pass to Lance Moore, no flags, Niners take over again on downs.
Fourth down and four coming up for the Saints.
Brees sacked again. Ahmad Brooks gets him for a loss of eight.
Saints with possession at their own 40.
SCORE UPDATE: Niners 31, Saints 21, 4:42 remaining.
Akers misses the kick WAY left.
Kaepernick throws it away, field goal unit now out.
3rd down and 6 for SF.
Saints call a timeout. 2nd down for the Niners
Pass to the far sideline broken up by Terrell Brown. Niners take over on downs with 5:00 to play.
Saints going for it on 4th and 11
Brees sacked again! Willis and Brooks combine.
Colston makes the grab, 3rd down 2 from the NO 45.
Saints first and ten from the 42.
SCORE UPDATE: Niners 31, Saints 21. 6:35 remaining in the fourth.
The play stands as called.
If it is reversed, it will be a fumble recovery by the Niners.
Harbaugh will challenge the call.
Officials rule him down by contact
Moore was hit hard by Goldson, ball popped out.
Ball came loose there on first and ten…
Rather a holding call. 5 yard penalty, first and ten.
PI on Niners’ defense as Brees threw it up for grabs for Moore.
Saints’ challenge is successful. Pass is complete, but it’s still 3rd and 12.
And Joe Buck sucks. Why is he FOX’s lead broadcaster again?
I hate it when fans call the Niners’ “we,” as in “we better stop them on fourth down”. Are you a part of the 49ers?
While we have time, some random thoughts from yours truly…
Saints challenge the ruling of an incomplete pass.
And Brees sacked by the Smith brothers on first down.
Saints look to cut into the lead. Down by nine with 7:50 remaining.
Akers’ field goal makes it 30-21 Niners
Saints looking for an offensive PI.
The fade for Randy Moss is an utter failure.
Gore down to the five, 2nd and goal
Gore busts his way down to the ten. First and goal, Niners need to capitalize here.
Fullback Bruce Miller gains 9 on 3rd and 3, 1st and ten at the Saints’ 24.
INJURY UPDATE: Williams out, Hunter questionable.
Isa Abdul-Quddus hurt making the tackle on Walker, but he’s thankfully ok.
Injured Saints’ player on the field.
Clutch 3rd down conversion. Does Alex Smith make that throw?
What a laser beam by Kaep to Delanie Walker. 23 yard pass to the Saints’ 42 yard line.
Kaepernick going nowhere on the QB keeper. 3rd and long,
Back on the field, Gore stuffed at his own 35. 2nd and 10 for the Niners.
Williams left knee, Hunter left foot or ankle, per Matt Maiocco of CSN.
Both Williams and Hunter carted off the field.
Hunter helped off, no pressure applied on left leg.
SCORE UPDATE: 49ers 28, Saints 21, end of 3rd quarter.
Both are on the sidelines now…will update you as soon as we get more info.
Two 49ers down on the same play: Kyle Williams and Kendall Hunter.
There’s no way Alex Smith throws that pass that Crabtree just caught for a 15-yard gain and a first down.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) November 25, 2012
Good throw by Kaepernick to Crabtree from his own endzone. First down at the 22 yard line.
Saints punt, Kyle Williams calls for a fair catch at his own five yard line.
Brees sacked by Aldon Smith on 3rd and 20.
Call could have gone both ways…break for the Niners.
Offensive pass interference call on a Brees’ throw to the end zone.
Nice lob to Sproles for 11 yards and a first down,
Brees’ pass on 2nd and 4 off the hands of Jimmy Graham.
But it is what it is…Saints’ ball.
Apparently Crabtree’s knee never touched the ground…49ers’ should have had a first down.
40-yard punt by Andy Lee, minimal return by Sproles.
Gore straight ahead for 12 yards, Niners will punt.
Delay of game makes it 3rd and 19. Very loud in the Superdome.
3rd and 14…
INJURY UPDATE: FOX says that Marcus Colston will return.
Jacobs seeing his first action as a 49er.
Brandon Jacobs in the game, carries it for a first down which is negated by a holding penalty.
Saints just won’t go away. Niners have it at their own 20 to start the drive.
#49ers haven’t been penalized THAT much (5 times for 33 yds) but Saints have only been flagged once (intentional grounding).
— Bay Area Sports Guy (@BASportsGuy) November 25, 2012
SCORE UPDATE: Niners 28, Saints 21, 7:19 left in the 3rd quarter.
Drive summary: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:11. 2-yard TD pass to Jed Collins.
Brees completes to Collins for the touchdown, just inside the right pylon.
Pass just off the fingertips of Moore, 2nd and goal now.
Holding on SF makes it 1st and Goal again.
2nd and goal from the 5 for New Orleans.
Brees just aired it out and Moore did the rest. 43 yard pass.
Spectacular catch by Lance Moore at the Niners’ 10 yard line!
Saints inch to their own 47 yard line on a pair of first downs.
Saints back on offense, Brees looks to atone for his 2 INTs.
Fantasy update:
Hope you started 49ers’ defense in your fantasy league. Brooks, Whitner have pick-six TDs. Scary play for WR Colston but he’s up, walking.
— Mike Sando, ESPN.com (@espn_nfcwest) November 25, 2012
Extra point good, 28-21 Niners.
Colston landed on his head when leaping to make the catch, but thankfully is ok.
42 yard return by Whitner for the score.
It was tipped by Colston right into the hands of Whitner, who took it the distance.
Wow! Brees picked by Donte Whitner, runs it back for the touchdown. Pick six!
Justin Smith sacks Brees for a loss of 8 yards
Meanwhile, the veteran Randy Moss in an animated conversation with Kaepernick on the sidelines.
Saints will start their drive at their own 29.
#49ers scoring quickly with Kaepernick. Two TD drives: 10 plays, 142 yards, 4:49.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) November 25, 2012
Just like that, it’s 21-14 49ers.
Kaepernick finds Gore on play action for the touchdown!
Kendall Hunter with an elusive 21-yard run to set up a first and goal for the Niners
Risky play on 3rd down but it pays off.
Kaepernick finds Walker for 45 yards on 3rd and 2
Game tied 14-14, Niners get the ball first.
Second half to begin shortly
Eric runs Golden Gate Sports, a blog that covers all the sports teams in the Bay Area. Born and raised in Northern California, Eric has been a fan of Bay Area sports for his entire life. If you're wondering how someone can support both the Niners and Raiders, just ask him. For anything else, contact him via email at 
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