San Francisco linebacker Ahmad Brooks lays his controversial hit on New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees Sunday.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Last time out: Saints 23, 49ers 20
Record: 6-4 overall, 2-1 in division
Snapshot: San Francisco led New Orleans by six points in the fourth quarter but Garrett Hartley hit three field goals in the final 7:05, including a 31-yarder as time expired, for a 23-20 victory. Drew Brees was 30-of-43 for 305 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Notable: Linebacker Ahmad Brooks caused a fumble which the 49ers recovered late in the game, but he was penalized for hitting Brees in the head and the Saints kept the ball. Hartley would end the drive with a field goal, tying the contest at 20 with 2:06 left in the fourth quarter.
Quotable: LB NaVorro Bowman on the Saints' late-game comeback: "That's Drew Brees," he told 49ers.com. "You can only give him so many chances."
Key number: 6. San Francisco's win total after two straight losses, the same as four other NFC teams – including the Cardinals – as the playoff race heats up.
Next up: The 49ers travel to play the Redskins on Monday Night Football in Week 12.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Last time out: Seahawks 41, Vikings 20
Record: 10-1 overall, 3-0 in the division
Snapshot: Minnesota kept pace early, as a 45-yard field goal by Blair Walsh in the second quarter cut the Seahawks' lead to 17-13. Seattle then took control with 24 unanswered points, including 17 in a span of 3:02 in the fourth quarter.
Notable: Running back Marshawn Lynch had two rushing touchdowns and a receiving score. Walter Thurmond returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
Quotable: Coach Pete Carroll, on his defense holding Adrian Peterson to 65 yards rushing on 21 carries: "He's a fantastic football player," he told Seahawks.com. "He can do it all. And the guys just kept him down all day long."
Injury update: Wide receiver Percy Harvin played in his first game of the year following offseason hip surgery. He finished with one catch for 17 yards and a 58-yard kick return in limited duty.
Next up: The Seahawks are idle in Week 12.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
Last time out: The Rams had a bye in Week 11.
Record: 4-6 overall, 1-2 in the division
Snapshot: The Rams hope an impressive road win over the Colts in Week 10 is a turning point. St. Louis was the youngest team in the league entering the season and has done well against some top opponents.
Notable: Rookie wide receiver Tavon Austin and rookie running back Zac Stacy have put up big performances in the past few weeks. Even though the team lost quarterback Sam Bradford to a torn ACL in Week 7, the contributions from the first-year guys are reason for optimism.
Quotable: Veteran tight end Jared Cook on the team's youth: "I've never really seen this much depth at different positions, especially the offensive side of the ball, with young players," Cook told stlouisrams.com. "Usually, you'll at least have a veteran receiver or a veteran running back."
Key number: 2. The number of games St. Louis sits out of the playoffs, although it would need to jump six teams to qualify.
Next up: The Rams host the Chicago Bears in Week 12.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Last time out: Colts 30, Titans 27
Record: 7-3 overall
Snapshot: Indianapolis rallied from a 14-point second-quarter deficit. The Colts have trailed by double digits at halftime in each of their last two victories.
Notable: Donald Brown had 14 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Andrew Luck did not get picked off, the ninth time in the team's 10 games he's thrown one interception or fewer.
Quotable: Coach Chuck Pagano on his relationship with Bruce Arians, who took over as the Colts' interim coach last season when Pagano found out he had leukemia: "Same as it's always been," Pagano told colts.com. "It's great. Bruce and I are obviously great, great friends and that's not going to change."
Key number: 2. The number of combined losses dealt to the Seahawks and Broncos this season, both by Indianapolis.
