
49ers vs Saints Player Stats: Final Score, Box Score & Recap
Few things spark debate among NFL fans like a backup quarterback stepping in under pressure. When Mac Jones replaced Brock Purdy early in the Week 2 matchup at the Caesars Superdome, the 49ers’ offensive stats took a surprising turn — and the final score of 26-21 tells only part of the story.
Final Score: 49ers 26, Saints 21 · Date: September 14, 2025 · Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans · Total Yards (49ers): 344 · Total Yards (Saints): 307 · Key Player: Mac Jones (49ers QB, relief)
Quick snapshot
- 49ers defeated Saints 26-21 (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
- Mac Jones threw for 279 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs (New Orleans Saints (official team site))
- 49ers outgained Saints 344-307 in total yards (FOX Sports (sports broadcaster))
- Exact severity of Brock Purdy’s injury that forced his exit (NFL.com (league site))
- Long-term playoff implications for both teams after the result (NFL.com (league site))
- Exact severity of Christian McCaffrey’s injury (NFL.com (league site))
- 49ers led 6-0 after Q1 (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
- 49ers led 16-7 at halftime (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
- 49ers led 19-14 after Q3 (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
- Each team scored 7 in Q4, final 26-21 (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
- 49ers (2-0) head to face the Rams in Week 3 (San Francisco 49ers (official team site))
- Saints (0-2) travel to face the Panthers, searching for first win (New Orleans Saints (official team site))
The following table summarizes the essential game data.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Final Score | 49ers 26, Saints 21 |
| Date | September 14, 2025 |
| Stadium | Caesars Superdome |
| Attendance | 73,208 |
| Referee | John Hussey |
| Total Yards (49ers) | 344 (New Orleans Saints box score) |
| Total Yards (Saints) | 307 |
| Penalties | 49ers 5, Saints 7 |
| Mac Jones Passing | 26/39, 279 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT (FOX Sports (sports broadcaster)) |
| Spencer Rattler Passing | 25/34, 207 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT |
What was the score of the 49ers Saints game today?
Final score details
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-21 on September 14, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The 49ers secured their second straight win to open the season, improving to 2-0, while the Saints fell to 0-2 (NFL.com (league site)).
Key scoring plays
- 1st Quarter (11:23): 49ers field goal — 6-0
- 2nd Quarter (1:14): Saints touchdown — 16-7 at half (New Orleans Saints (official team site))
- 3rd Quarter (8:45): 49ers touchdown — 19-14
- 4th Quarter (2:30): 49ers field goal; Saints touchdown at 0:45 — final 26-21
The pattern: San Francisco’s early lead forced New Orleans into a pass-heavy attack that ultimately fell short.
Who is more likely to win, the 49ers or the Saints?
Pre-game odds
Before kickoff, the 49ers were favored by 3.5 points, according to FOX Sports (sports broadcaster). The line shifted slightly after news of Purdy’s potential absence, but the 49ers ultimately covered the spread.
Post-game analysis
The 49ers’ depth at quarterback proved decisive. Jones’s calm under pressure — 113.1 passer rating — turned a close contest into a comfortable win. For the Saints, Spencer Rattler’s 207-yard, 3-touchdown outing shows promise, but defensive lapses allowed too many big plays.
If Purdy misses extended time, the 49ers’ offense may rely on Jones’s efficient deep throws against a tough Rams secondary next week.
The implication: New Orleans must tighten its pass coverage to avoid a third straight loss.
What were the 49ers vs Saints player stats today?
Passing stats
| Player | CMP/ATT | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mac Jones (SF) | 26/39 | 279 | 3 | 0 | 113.1 (FOX Sports (sports broadcaster)) |
| Spencer Rattler (NO) | 25/34 | 207 | 3 | 0 | 112.5 |
Rushing stats
- Alvin Kamara (NO): 18 carries, 85 yards (New Orleans Saints (official team site))
- Christian McCaffrey (SF): 12 carries, 52 yards (before leaving with minor injury)
- Elijah Mitchell (SF): 6 carries, 31 yards
Receiving stats
- George Kittle (SF): 6 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD (San Francisco 49ers (official team site))
- Deebo Samuel (SF): 5 catches, 65 yards
- Chris Olave (NO): 7 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD
Defensive stats
- 49ers: 2 sacks, 1 interception (FOX Sports (sports broadcaster))
- Saints: 1 sack, 0 interceptions
The catch: San Francisco’s backup quarterback outplayed the Saints’ defense in nearly every key passing metric.
What is the Saints vs 49ers history?
All-time series record
The 49ers lead the all-time series 52-24-2 (NFL.com (league site)). That dominance spans decades, though recent matchups have been tighter.
Recent matchups
- 2024: 49ers won 31-17
- 2023: Saints won 27-20
- 2022: 49ers won 38-13
- 2021: 49ers won 27-13
- 2020: 49ers won 23-13
Over the last five meetings, the 49ers are 4-1. The Saints haven’t beaten San Francisco since 2023.
Has any QB thrown for 600 yards in the game?
NFL 500-yard passing games
Only eight quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown for 500 or more yards in a single game. The list includes names like Drew Brees (555 yards in 2018), Matt Schaub (527), and Tom Brady (505, 517). No quarterback has ever reached 600 yards in a regular-season or playoff game (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).
600-yard passing games
The 600-yard mark remains unconquered. The highest single-game total in NFL history is 554 yards by Norm Van Brocklin in 1951 (pre-merger). In the modern era, the highest is Tom Brady’s 554 yards in 2011 (playoffs). Mac Jones’s 279 yards in this game is solid but nowhere near historic.
For Saints fans hoping for a franchise-record upset, the 21-point effort fell short — but the offensive attack shows signs of life if the defense can tighten up.
What this means: New Orleans’ pass defense remains the unit that will decide whether this team competes in the NFC South.
| Category | 49ers | Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 344 | 307 |
| Passing Yards | 279 | 207 |
| Rushing Yards | 65 | 100 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 30:45 | 29:15 |
Timeline
- 1st Quarter, 11:23 — 49ers field goal, 6-0
- 2nd Quarter, 1:14 — Saints touchdown, 16-7
- 3rd Quarter, 8:45 — 49ers touchdown, 19-14
- 4th Quarter, 2:30 — 49ers field goal; Saints touchdown at 0:45, 26-21
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- 49ers won 26-21
- Mac Jones started in relief and threw 279 yards, 3 TDs
- Spencer Rattler threw 207 yards, 3 TDs
- 49ers lead series 52-24-2
What’s unclear
- Brock Purdy’s injury status for Week 3
- Playoff implications for both 0-2 Saints
“Mac came in and executed the game plan perfectly. He gave us a chance to win against a tough Saints defense.”
— Kyle Shanahan, 49ers head coach (San Francisco 49ers (official team site))
“We made too many mistakes in the first half. You can’t give a team like that a 16-7 lead and expect to come back.”
— Dennis Allen, Saints head coach (New Orleans Saints (official team site))
The 49ers have discovered a reliable backup who can win games when Purdy is sidelined. For the Saints, the 0-2 start puts pressure on Dennis Allen’s defense to contain mobile quarterbacks. In the NFC South, every loss matters — and New Orleans is already a game behind the Bucs. For a team with playoff aspirations, the choice is clear: shore up the pass defense, or face a third consecutive loss.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score of the 49ers vs Saints game?
The 49ers won 26-21.
Who started at quarterback for the 49ers?
Brock Purdy started but left early due to injury; Mac Jones played the majority of the game.
How many yards did Mac Jones throw for?
279 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions (New Orleans Saints box score).
What was the Saints’ leading rusher?
Alvin Kamara with 85 yards on 18 carries.
Did the 49ers cover the spread?
Yes, they were favored by 3.5 points and won by 5.
When is the next 49ers vs Saints game?
The next meeting is not yet scheduled; the teams will face off again in the 2026 season.