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Daily Madden: Loud Fans Could Help 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - A sellout crowd will see the 49ers face the New Orleans Saints in Saturday's NFC playoff game at Candlestick.

John Madden told the KCBS morning crew that loud home field fans can slow the Saints offense.

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"They play at a very, very high tempo," Madden said. "When they can use their (audible) snap count system, I think they're a lot better and a lot quicker. I think when they get on the road and they have to play with a silent count, that's going to slow everything down for them...Now that doesn't mean that Drew Brees is going to fumble the ball or throw interceptions, but it is going to slow down their tempo."

John said he thinks the 49ers will have to score at least 28 points to have a chance to beat the Saints.

"Drew Brees is playing as well as anyone right now," Madden said. "You have to go in thinking that you're going to have to get some touchdowns. And that's been one of the 49ers problems is that red zone stuff and getting a lot of field goals. And I don't know that field goals are going to do it against the Saints."

Madden said the Denver Broncos will also need a lot of points to beat the New England Patriots in Saturday's AFC playoff game.

"You know what (Patriots QB) Tom Brady can do. The Patriots don't have great defense, but you better score touchdowns when you get the ball." (8:45)

Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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