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They were competitive, and the defense limited the Saints to 123 passing yards, but the 49ers were doomed by four turnovers and continue to play with a banged-up roster. San Francisco has lost three straight by double digits and goes into the bye at 4-6.

They competed against the Saints, but they just don't have the talent right now. This season is done.

With Arik Armstead landing on COVID-19 list, Niners don't currently have any of their five first-round D-linemen from 2019 available.

What would they take back: Trading DeForest Buckner

The logic behind trading Buckner to the Colts was sound: He was about to land a massive contract extension; the Niners needed to re-sign key players such as Arik Armstead and Jimmie Ward; and San Francisco was were able to use the pick acquired for Buckner to land a cost-effective replacement in Javon Kinlaw. But in this injury-ravaged season, the 49ers miss Buckner's unique combination of durability, productivity and leadership even more than they could have known at the time of the deal. -- Nick Wagoner

The 49ers played a nearly perfect first quarter on Sunday at the Superdome, holding the ball for 13 of the 15 minutes and taking a 10-0 lead four seconds into the second period. But Kyle Shanahan's injury-depleted team made too many mistakes -- including two muffed punts and a pair of Nick Mullens interceptions -- in a 27-13 loss to the Saints. Those unforced errors were the difference on a day in which the Niners' defense knocked Drew Brees out of the game and held the New Orleans offense to just 237 yards, the team's lowest total in a win in 22 years. A bye week should allow San Francisco to get some players back for the homestretch -- winning out might be the only path back to the playoffs.