NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A losing record, quarterback trouble, poor offense, disgruntled fans -- finally a San Francisco 49ers team the New Orleans Saints can match up with.

Of course, there's no guarantee the Saints (1-7) can take advantage of the 49ers' down cycle on Sunday, but for a change, there's at least the possibility.

"Our downhill spiral started with San Francisco," said Saints coach Mike Ditka. "Let's try to undo it with San Francisco. That's what I told the team. We started our losing streak in San Francisco, so let's try to turn it around this week with the same team that started it."

Lofty goals against a club that has totally dominated the Saints in the past, running up a 43-15-2 record against New Orleans and winning seven straight by a combined score of 197-66.

But there is a glimmer of hope for the Saints this time. For one thing, San Francisco (3-5) is even worse defensively than New Orleans, ranking 28th overall, 18th against the run and 30th against the pass.

Although Ditka toyed with the idea of starting Danny Wuerffel for the injured Billy Joe Hobert, he will go with Billy Joe Tolliver, even though his turnovers have contributed to the longest slide in the NFL.

"When it's time, I'll start Danny Wuerffel," Ditka said. "Right now, our best chance to win is with Tolliver."

Tolliver has thrown 10 interceptions to just four touchdowns and has accounted for 13 of the Saints' 21 turnovers.

The Saints offense has been unable to score no matter who was running it, with only 11 touchdowns through eight games, and just one rushing TD on a scramble by Hobert.

Running back Ricky Williams, who cost the Saints eight draft picks, including their No. 1 and No. 3 next year, is looking for his third 100-yard game after getting just 41 yards on 14 carries against the Buccaneers.

The 49ers also are trying to get better production at quarterback while Steve Young recuperates from a concussion. Steve Stenstrom will start instead of slump-ridden Jeff Garcia, coach Steve Mariucci said.

"We are going to try to jump-start our passing game a little and try Steve Stenstrom," Mariucci said.

Garcia won his first NFL start Oct. 3. But after leading them past Tennessee 24-22, the 49ers have lost four straight, their longest slide since an eight-game slump in 1980.

The team that made the West Coast offense feared for years, has not been able to mount an air attack this year.

In San Francisco's 27-6 loss to Pittsburgh, Jerry Rice _ a Saints-killer for years -- had two catches for 2 yards, his worst game since his rookie season in 1985. Fellow wide receivers Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes barely touched the ball, combining for three catches for 26 yards.

"It's devastating, man," Rice said. "I'm dealing with it day by day, but after tasting the icing on the cake over the years, this is bitter."

In the past four games, the 49ers have produced just two offensive touchdowns, and the team's leading scorer in that span is cornerback Darnell Walker, who has touchdowns on a fumble return and interception return.

"It's not easy for anybody," Mariucci said. "It's not easy for a team if they've been there before. That's one of the challenges that all of us coaches will face at times in our career. They've got to push the right buttons, because it's a long season and we're only half way through it."

SAN FRANCISCO Season schedule and results

NEW ORLEANS Season schedule and results

September 12 @Jacksonville L 3-41 September 19 New Orleans W 28-21 September 27 @Arizona W 24-10 October 3 Tennessee W 24-22 October 10 @St. Louis L 20-42 October 17 Carolina L 29-31 October 24 @Minnesota L 16-40 November 7 Pittsburgh L 6-27 November 14 @New Orleans 1:00pm ET November 21 St. Louis 4:15pm ET November 29 Green Bay 9:00pm ET December 5 @Cincinnati 1:00pm ET December 12 Atlanta 4:15pm ET December 18 @Carolina 4:15pm ET December 26 Washington 8:20pm ET January 3 @Atlanta 9:00pm ET

September 12 Carolina W 19-10 September 19 @San Francisco L 21-28 October 3 @Chicago L 10-14 October 10 Atlanta L 17-20 October 17 Tennessee L 21-24 October 24 @NY Giants L 3-31 October 31 Cleveland L 16-21 November 7 Tampa Bay L 16-31 November 14 San Francisco 1:00pm ET November 21 @Jacksonville 8:20pm ET November 28 @St. Louis 1:00pm ET December 5 @Atlanta 1:00pm ET December 12 St. Louis 1:00pm ET December 19 @Baltimore 1:00pm ET December 24 Dallas 3:05pm ET January 2 @Carolina 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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