The 4-4 New Orleans Saints will host the 4-4 San Francisco 49ers this Sunday, and the visitors are getting a handful of points. The Niners were quite unlucky last week against the Rams, and I expect them to give Drew Brees and the Saints a run for their money today.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Previous History - San Francisco has covered the spread in four straight against the Saints, and last year's meeting was decided by just a field goal. The Niners won outright by a score of 31-21 at the Superdome a year earlier.

2. San Francisco Defense - Despite their struggles, the defense remains one of the best in the NFL. It ranks 3rd overall against the pass, allowing an average of just 206 yards per game. Drew Brees threw for 305 yards with one TD and an INT in last year's meeting.

3. X-Factor - The Saints are thin in the backfield with Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson both sidelined by injury.
Selection: This is a play on the San Francisco 49ers (10*)