The 49ers face an immense challenge with the Saints coming to the 'Stick, but you know Jim Harbaugh will have his squad ready.

The NFL divisional round is upon us, and it’s giving me a depressing feel of inevitable finality. Yes, we still have the NFL on our minds through February 5th, but this is the last weekend where you feel like you’re watching a full slate of games. Championship weekend elicits immediate thoughts of the cold and bitter winter ahead–at least those of us in Chicago anyway. And for me, the Super Bowl is almost always anticlimactic because of the hype and how we’re inundated with every nuance and idiotic statistic for two weeks.

That’s why the divisional round is my favorite weekend of the NFL playoffs. And what a two day stretch we have in front of us. Three of the games are extremely compelling, and then there’s the Texans-Ravens tilt that is already over. The Broncos-Patriots game will likely shatter all kinds of ratings records as Tim Tebow & Tom Brady stage a movie-like war. And the Giants possess the talent, ability & formula to beat the Packers.

But more than anything, the Saints-49ers game stands out. More so than any team remaining, the Niners are the feel good/out of nowhere team of these playoffs. The Broncos can certainly lay claim to that title, but the Tebow coverage has been shoved down our throats all season. It will be relief for Tebow lovers and haters once Denver is eliminated.

What’s so intruiging about the Niners is how, virtually, nobody believes they can slow down, let alone beat Drew Brees and the Saints. Does it matter that Justin Smith and CO. allowed a meager 3.5 yards per carry against the run this year? Of course not. What about the fact that the high powered Saints scored “only” 23.8 points per game outdoors this year? Pssh, that doesn’t matter when it comes to the mighty Saints. And hey, it’s not like the Niners can score anyway.

Name something to diminish the 49ers chances, and it’s been said this week.

That’s what should be encouraging for 49ers fans everywhere. They have endured 9 years of pure silliness or as Niner fans call it, the John York era. John Dork, as I call, him fired Steve Mariucci after his team overcame a 38-14 deficit to the Giants in the wild card round after the ’02 season to win that game 39-38. That started the Niners on the downward spiral that tested even their most loyal fans’ patience.

Dennis Erickson, Mike Nolan & Mike Singletary embarrassed themselves and the 49ers image with 8 years of arena league quality football. The Niners won 7, 2, 4, 7, 5, 7, 8 & 6 wins in those reach for anything sharp seasons.

The entire 49er culture changed when John Dork’s 30 year old son Jed took control of the team. He hired Trent Baalke as GM, and Baalke hired Jim Harbaugh. And what do you know, the fortunes of this team changed, seemingly overnight, despite Harbaugh not having an off-season to work in his system.

And you better believe that Harbaugh is using the Saints love to further fuel his team. You don’t go from doormat to 13-3 without having self confidence, but it never hurts to have that “we’re getting disrespected” card in your back pocket. The Niners defense is fast enough, gets to the quarterback, stops the run & is great at taking the ball away (23 INT’s & 15 fumble recoveries).

They will need that hellacious defense to be at their best to stop one of the best quarterbacks of this generation, but like the Giants, they have the formula to win this game. And they will, because you get the feeling that it’s going to be their day. They’ve had enough beatings over the past 8 years, they have earned this moment. This will be their signature win of the 2011 season. And with the added motivation of national doubt on them, it will push them to the NFC Championship game, and give Harbaugh another to chance to say…”Who’s got it better than us? Nobody!”

NINERS +4 over Saints

Here are the rest of my divisional round picks…

Patriots -14 over Broncos

Ravens -9 over Texans

Giants +9 over PACKERS.

Last week: 2-2

Regular season: 144-102-10

Enjoy the best football weekend of the season, everyone.

@Louie_Ruffolo8