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**Before we begin this story, here are two averages to note: 20.6 and 28.7.

The aformentioned numbers refer to the per-game point totals for the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints. The clubs will clash this Sunday when the high-scoring Saints visit Levi's® Stadium for the first time ever. The difference between the NFL's 22nd-ranked scoring offense and second-ranked unit is 8.1 points per game.

Knowing this, Colin Kaepernick said on Tuesday that it's imperative for the 49ers offense to click in Week 9.

In Kap's first two starts of 2016, the 49ers have scored 16 and 17 points, respectively.

"I think you have to take each week differently and treat it as its own entity," the sixth-year pro said. "Knowing some of the things that they've done in the past can always help you and one of the things that we've always said playing the Saints is, 'You're going to have to put up points.' They have a very talented offense, very explosive offense. So we're going to have to be able to match up."

New Orleans' defense has given up 30.1 points per game, which ranks as 31st in the NFL. The 49ers rank 32nd, allowing 31.1 points per game. With both teams struggling to keep opponents off the scoreboard, Sunday's NFC matchup could become a high-scoring affair.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees, 37, leads the NFL in passing yards per game (338) and has thrown the second-most touchdowns (18). Unsurprisingly, the NFC South foe also boasts the league's top-ranked passing attack (326.9) yards per game.

While Kaepernick was quick to say that the 49ers need to produce more points on gameday, the quarterback's coordinator, Curtis Modkins, stressed that it's an emphasis regardless of opponent.

"Those guys are very good offensively," Modkins said. "We've got to do a better job, and we've got to score points no matter who we're playing. We can't concern ourselves with what the other side of the ball is facing or doing. We just know we have to do our jobs and do them better than what we're doing them."

At 1-6, Kaepernick stated this is a must-have game for the 49ers.

"We have to win," he said. "The state of this team is we have to win, and we have to win a lot. We put ourselves behind the eight ball, and we have to bounce back from that."

Kaepernick has completed 46 percent of his passes (29-of-63) for 330 yards with two touchdown passes and one interceptions so far this season. He's rushed 17 times for 150 yards (8.8 yards per carry). The signal-caller's performance should improve the more he's on the field, according to Modkins.

"Colin is fine," the 49ers OC said. "He's been up and down a little bit, but he's fine, and he'll continue to get better. I don't have an issue with where he's at.

San Francisco's offense could receive a boost with the potential return of starting running back Pierre Garçon. The third-year pro returned to practice with a non-contact jersey after being inactive in Week 7 due to a shoulder injury.