San Francisco 49ers Fred Warner and Jimmie Ward celebrate a defensive stop at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday NOV 27, 2022. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The number one defense in the NFL looks super…as in Super Bowl caliber.

The San Francisco 49ers defense notched it up to another level as they shutout the New Orleans Saints in 13-0 victory on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium. The Niners defense has played six consecutive scoreless quarters including shutouts in the second half in four consecutive games.

San Francisco has won four games in a row, their longest win streak of the season and sit atop of the NFC West Division thanks to the Seattle Seahawks 40-34 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. New Orleans has lost three out of its last four games.

The last time the 49ers had a four-game winning streak was back in 2019, when they went to the Super Bowl.

Fred Warner got things started on the Saints opening drive when he knocked the ball out of running back Alvin Kamara’s hands and recovered the ball at the New Orleans’ 43-yard line.

San Francisco (7-4) had to settle for a 24-yard field goal from Robbie Gould after their drive stalled at the five-yard line.

New Orleans (4-8) defense held their own throughout the game as they didn’t allow San Francisco to establish a rhythm offensively as they pressured quarterback Jimmy Garopollo and recorded six hits on the veteran quarterback. One of them by defensive lineman Malcolm Roach, where he went low and pulled Garopollo down by his leg had Garopollo down on the ground in apparent pain. Garoppolo was able to continue and never had to come out of the game.

“It’s football but you’ve got to be smart as players, look out for one another. There’s no place for that,” Garopollo said of Roach’s hit.

On the opposite side Saints quarterback Andy Dalton wasn’t as pressured by the 49ers front four for the majority of the game and looked good with some deep throws for completions. However, San Francisco’s defense dominated the trenches and never allowed New Orleans to get their explosive running game going whether it was Kamara or Swiss Army knife type Taysom Hill.

Dalton ended up being the leading rusher for New Orleans on scrambles out of the pocket with 21 yards on four carries. Kamara had just 13 yards on seven carries as San Francisco allowed just 63 yards of rushing.

“I think it’s outstanding to go out there and shutout an NFL team,” safety Jimmy Ward said regarding the defense’s ability to keep teams off the scoreboard in the second half. “Guys are getting paid a lot of money to go out there and score points. What we’ve been doing the last couple of weeks helping our offense, shutting them (teams) out in the second half. Hopefully we can keep this type of energy and play lights out the rest of the season.”

San Francisco went up 10-0 just before halftime when Garoppolo connected with Jauan Jennings on a five-yard touchdown reception with 13 seconds left in the second quarter. The throw was initially deflected by Tyrann Mathieu but made it out to an outstretched Jennings for his first receiving touchdown of the season and sixth of his career.

The 49ers had their own issues getting their running game going in that Garoppolo threw 28 passes in the first half, the most he has thrown in the first half this season. Elijah Mitchell, who suffered a MCL injury to his knee in the third quarter, led the team in rushing with 35 yards on just seven carries. Christian McCaffery chipped in with 32 yards on 11 carries.

New Orleans threatened to end the shutout streak early in the fourth quarter when they drove down to the 49ers six-yard line. Dalton threw a short pass to Kamara out in the flat. Talanoa Hufanga jarred the ball lose with a big hit on Kamara and Dre Greenlaw recovered the ball at the one yard line.

“Honestly I didn’t even know that I got it (the ball) out. I was hoping we got a stop. Then I saw the ball on the ground and everybody jumping for it. I was waiting for the replay, like what even happened. Just blessed we were able to recover and held them (New Orleans) to a zero today,” Hufanga said.

After a three and out by San Francisco, New Orleans once again drove down the field and got inside the 49ers 10-yard line. Nick Bosa preserved the shutout when he sacked Dalton for seven yards on a 4th and goal from the four-yard line. It was the only sack San Francisco recorded on the day but proved to be the biggest one of the season so far.

“Oh, they were unbelievable today. I thought they had a chance to do well, but they even surpassed that. [New Orleans Saints QB Andy] Dalton made a couple of big throws, two of those posts, getting inside the I believe five twice and our D coming up with no points on that. Them having to go for it, they were great getting the two turnovers. Big time day by them,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game.

Garopollo finished 26 of 37 for 222 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Brandon Aiyuk led the team in receiving with five catches for 65 yards. Jennings added six catches for 49 yards to go along with his touchdown.

Dalton went 18 of 29 for 204 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Rookie standout wide receiver Chris Olave led the Saints in receiving with five catches for 62 yards.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 5-for-13 on third down conversions. New Orleans went 4-for-11.

After 59 games as a starter with the 49ers, Garoppolo’s record is 40-19, which tied Steve Young for second place all-time in franchise history.

New Orleans’ streak of 332 since last being shutout was snapped and was the longest running streak in the NFL. The last time they were shutout was back in Week 17 of 2001 when they were also shutout by San Francisco.

UP NEXT: San Francisco continues its three-game homestand as they host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday 12/4 at 1:05pm at Levi’s Stadium.