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Quarterback Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers is pressured by defender Phillip Hunt of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field on October 2, 2011 in Philadelphia.

Jim Harbaugh certainly doesn't want to see his 49ers get into a shootout with the Saints in Saturday's playoff game. But the San Francisco coach will certainly be inspired by the poise and confidence Alex Smith showed in his last showdown with New Orleans at Candlestick Park, September 2010.

Trailing the defending Super Bowl champs 22-14 with only 1:19 to play, the 49ers drove 82 yards for a touchdown, with Smith completing four of five passes for 51 yards and rushing for another 24 yards plus a game tying 2-point conversion throw to Vernon Davis. Even though Drew Brees countered with a clutch 30-yard pass to Marques Colston with :18 left to set up a game winning field goal, Smith showed a Monday Night Football audience he would not wilt in the glare of the national spotlight.

Unfortunately, this time around the 49ers receiving corps is decimated. Braylon Edwards is gone. Josh Morgan (knee) and Delanie Walker (broken jaw) are out. Meanwhile Ted Ginn Jr (ankle) and Kyle Williams (concussion) hope to return this weekend after getting hurt in the regular season finale at St. Louis.

Of course, the 49ers will look to their strong ground game and ball control offense to limit the Saints' scoring opportunities. But Brees now has a potent running game to go with a virtually unstoppable aerial attack. New Orleans, winners of nine straight, is the NFL's hottest team. Brees, with seven straight 300 yard passing games is the league's hottest quarterback.

But the Saints have never won a road playoff game (0-4). To keep that dubious streak in tact, the 49ers defense will have to use a variety of blitz packages to take Brees out of his comfort zone. Meanwhile, it's time for Harbaugh to retire the "game manager" moniker for Smith, who will have to play the game of his life for the 49ers to advance to the NFC Championship.