SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -The San Francisco 49ers must seem like an unreliable car to Mike Nolan at this point. Just when the coaches manage to fix a part that isn't working, something new breaks down.
After revitalizing a terrible defense and finally building a consistent running game behind Frank Gore this season, Nolan must go to work with offensive coordinator Norv Turner to figure out what's gone wrong with the passing game. They've had no consistent aerial attack for several weeks, most recently in a 34-10 loss Sunday at New Orleans.
Though quarterback Alex Smith has been a patient, capable leader in his first full season as a starter, the No. 1 draft pick hasn't passed for 200 yards in any of the 49ers' last six games, throwing four touchdown passes and eight interceptions.
And though the Saints put eight or nine defenders near the line of scrimmage on nearly every play to slow down Gore, Smith and his receivers couldn't make them pay. If Nolan and Turner can't figure out how to beat that defense, the Green Bay Packers and the 49ers' other remaining opponents will have a blueprint for an easy win.
"It's frustrating when you don't make those plays down the field when someone gives you that access," Nolan said Monday. "It's disrespect to your passing and a respect to your run, so it's a 50-50 deal. They respect our run enough that they do that."
But so far, the 49ers haven't been able to burn opponents willing to risk big passing plays. Aside from Antonio Bryant's 48-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, San Francisco never came up with the game-breaking passes they needed.
Smith's numbers have been unimpressive since he passed for 814 yards without an interception in the 49ers' first three games. Though his development is following a fairly typical learning curve, San Francisco needs its highest-paid player to take the next step in his development soon.
Nolan believes Smith simply is in a slump.
"As part of everyone's maturity, there are bad days that you hope you can learn from," Nolan said of Smith, who was 14-of-28 for 171 yards and three interceptions against the Saints. "Not everybody performs at their highest level in their second year as a quarterback in the NFL. Week in and week out, there is a growth and a maturity that goes with it."
Smith's receivers also haven't been impressive - although they're much improved from the NFL's worst collection of pass-catchers in 2005. Gore is the 49ers' leader with 46 catches, while short-yardage threat Arnaz Battle has 42. Bryant has managed 37 receptions for 678 yards, with a handful of the big plays expected from the free-agent signee.
The 49ers' inability to keep New Orleans' defense honest led to a long day for Gore, the NFL's second-leading rusher entering the weekend. The second-year pro slipped to third in the league after managing just 40 yards, though his 1,217 yards on the season are still on pace to set the franchise single-season record.
The loss in New Orleans further squashed San Francisco's tiny playoff hopes. The 49ers must win three of their last four games to earn their first winning record in four years, but Nolan plans to keep making small improvements - and fixing whatever happens to break this weekend.
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