The Saints make their way to San Francisco as the 49ers look to extend their overwhelming dominance in this divisional setting.

The Niners own an imposing 42-15-2 advantage in this series (including a 29-8 mark vs. the Saints since 1980) and have really dominated as of late, prevailing in six straight and 18 of the last 22 meetings between the clubs dating back to 1988.

A year ago, the 49ers swept this series for the third straight season and the fifth time in seven years. In Week 6 at the Superdome, 49ers QB Steve Young threw for 309 yards and 3 scores and the San Francisco defense limited New Orleans to just 167 total yards and sacked Saints QBs Danny Wuerffel and Billy Joe Tolliver seven times in a convincing 31-0 triumph, their second straight shutout of the Saints.

Six weeks later on a Sunday evening (ESPN) at San Francisco (Week 12), Mike Ditka's Saints jumped out to a surprising 10-0 first-quarter lead, but Young would finish the evening with 290 yards and 4 TD passes (1 INT) as Steve Mariucci's club rallied for a 31-20 win.

The Saints are just 2-9 in their last 11 visits to San Francisco dating back to 1988, their last victory at 3Com Park coming in 1995 (11-7).

Numbers: Including playoffs, Saints head coach Mike Ditka owns a 3-9 record vs. the 49ers (3-5 with Chicago, 0-4 with New Orleans) and his teams have been shutout in 5 of those 9 losses. Including playoffs, Ditka has lost seven straight to San Francisco (0-3 with Bears, 0-4 with Saints), by a combined score of 224-44, and each of those setbacks by double digits (28-3, 26-0, 52-14, 33-7, 23-0, 31-0, 31-20). The Saints are 2-12 in their last 14 meetings with the 49ers dating back to 1992. In their two victories, New Orleans has committed zero turnovers and allowed three sacks, while in their 12 losses they've committed 36 turnovers and allowed 28 sacks. The Saints have allowed 63 points in 7 wins (17 or fewer points in each contest), 306 points in 10 losses (30 or more points in 8 of those contests) dating back to '98

In 18 games vs. the Saints as a 49er, QB Steve Young has thrown 27 touchdown passes and just 5 interceptions, but has been sacked 50 times. In 26 games vs. the Saints, 49ers' WR Jerry Rice has totaled 129 receptions for 1,857 yards and 14 touchdowns. The 49ers have rushed for 2,049 yards rushing in their last 14 games vs. New Orleans (146.4 YPG) dating back to 1992. Including playoffs, the 49ers have allowed 47 sacks in their last 14 games dating back to '98.

Things To Look For: Mike Ditka would love to see RB Ricky Williams in the lineup and probably expects him to play, but he might be better served giving the rookie the day off and letting him get some substantial rest (Saints have a bye next week). As for the Niners, their troubled offensive line will have its hands full with an aggressive New Orleans' defense, so QB Steve Young will have to be at his elusive best.

Etc.: The Saints have lost six straight road games dating back to '98. Thye are just 8-25 vs. divisional competition since 1995 (1-0 in '99), this after compiling a 29-19 record (including playoffs) vs. NFC West rivals from 1987-94.

The 49ers have won 17 straight regular-season home games dating back to '96. Including playoffs, the 49ers are 49-14 vs. NFC West foes since 1990 (7-2 in '98). Including playoffs, the 49ers have won 15 of their last 17 games vs. divisional competition dating back to '97. The 49ers have not been shutout in an NFL-record 339 consecutive games. WR Jerry Rice has caught at least one pass in an NFL-record 194 straight games. QB Steve Young (32,774) needs 64 yards to tie Ken Anderson (32,838) for 16th place on the NFL's all-time passing yardage list.