The Saints' passing attack is so potent that it has continued to flourish without four-time Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn, who will be a game-time decision this week. Horn has missed five straight games with a partially torn groin.
Look for head coach Sean Payton to continue to rely on QB Drew Brees and the quick, controlled passing attack to set up the run. The Saints can pose a lot of problems in the passing game with a combination of Marques Colston and Reggie Bush, who combined for 158 receptions on the year.
However, Payton will also try to establish a running game with a combination of Deuce McAllister and Bush against a Bears interior run defense that struggled last Sunday. Also, look for Payton to use a lot of shifting and motioning to create individual mismatches that the Saints will attack, by identifying and using a number count in the box in QB Drew Brees' pre-snap reads.
? Expect defensive coordinator Ron Rivera to rely on a few more multiple eight-man fronts, while using zone run-dogs and inside games to contain the Saints' running game. The key for the Bears will be their ability to take away the run and force the Saints to be a one-dimensional team through the air.
Also, look for the Bears to try to create pressure on Brees with their four-man rush and single zone fires, while being physical on the outside with their corners to try to disrupt the timing and rhythm of the Saints' passing attack. The Bears' defense will need to play its best game of the season to control the Saints' explosive offense by not allowing Brees to get into rhythm.
? The Bears' defense is tough on third down, allowing only 31 percent of the plays to be converted to a first down. The success it has at getting teams in long yardage (11-plus yards) helps explain the low percentage. The Bears have a league-leading 75 snaps in third-and-long, allowing just 17 percent to convert, which means they are winning the battle on first and second down with their penetrating defense.
The defense has registered 26 sacks on first and second down. If the Saints can have success on first or second down and face the Bears in third-and-short (3-6 yards), they will have a chance to convert because the Bears are allowing opponents to convert 40 percent of the time in those situations. Third-down efficiency will be critical for Brees and the Saints' offense.
? The Bears' offense under Rex Grossman is an enigma because it is converting only 22.7 percent of the shorter yardage (3-6 yards) third downs, while converting 39 percent of the longer (7-10 yards) third downs. Grossman is completing 52 percent of his passes on third down, but is not protecting the football, throwing nine interceptions and taking 12 sacks.
On third down, Saints coordinator Gary Gibbs will bring some zone pressure to get Grossman to make a poor decision with the ball. Bears TE Desmond Clark needs to come up big if the Saints bring pressure, as he will most likely be the sight adjust receiver.
Also, look for the Bears to attack RC Fred Thomas in heavy pass-down tendencies by isolating WR Bernard Berrian out on the perimeter.
? Turnovers from Grossman could be the key to this game. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner needs to be smart with his calls, not allowing Grossman to be too risky by giving him route combinations that provide him with an outlet throw in his field of vision. These types of high-percentage routes will give Grossman excellent choices with the ball. Grossman has given the ball away 27 times this season, the most by any playoff quarterback.
? Offensively, the Saints must protect the ball and not allow the Bears to force or create turnovers. The Bears led the NFL in takeaways in the regular season with 44, and do a great job of stripping the ball away in open space to create turnovers for their offense.
The Saints' offensive line will need to do a great job of allowing Brees enough space and time in the pocket to attack the Bears' secondary, especially on his backside. The Saints can ill afford to turn the ball over and create good field position for Grossman and the Bears' offense. How the Saints protect the ball could decide the outcome of this game against a defense that thrives off turnovers.
? The quarterback comparison will involve an intriguing matchup this week between Brees and Grossman, with the Saints having the clear advantage in this game. Also, the elements could play a major role in the outcome of this game.
Brees led the NFC with a 96.2 passer efficiency rating and 26 touchdown passes, and he was tops in the entire NFL with 4,418 passing yards. Grossman finished the regular season with 262 completions on 480 attempts for 3,193 yards. His completion percentage was 54.6, with 23 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions. However, Grossman has been picked off just four times in the past five games.
Special Teams
Last Sunday, Saints punter Steve Weatherford averaged 40.3 yards, with a net of 36.0, while PK John Carney kicked field goals of 33 and 23 yards early in the game when the offense struggled in the red zone.
Weatherford must do a great job this week in his directional punting against a very good Bears return team. The Saints' coverage teams will have their hands full containing explosive returner Devin Hester, who took a punt to the house against Seattle that was called back because of a penalty. Hester is averaging 12.8 yards per punt return and can change field position, providing a spark to the Bears.
Bears punter Brad Maynard was slightly off last Sunday versus the Seahawks, but will have to be on top of his game this week. Maynard had a 36.7 net punt average, but will need to get more distance and hang time this week versus Bush. Bush averaged 7.0 yards on punt returns, while KOR Michael Lewis averaged 27.4 yards per return.
Bears PK Robbie Gould came up big against the Seahawks with two long field goals of 41 and 49 yards. Gould made 85 percent of his field goals from over 40 yards during the regular season.
Matchups
? Chicago WR Muhsin Muhammad vs. New Orleans LC Mike McKenzie
? Chicago RDE Alex Brown vs. New Orleans LT Jammal Brown
? New Orleans RB Deuce McAllister vs. Chicago MLB Brian Urlacher
? New Orleans RB Reggie Bush vs. Chicago OLB Lance Briggs
? Chicago LC Charles Tillman vs. New Orleans WR Marques Colston
Scouts' Edge
This has all the makings of a great football game. Head coach Sean Payton will continue to rely on QB Drew Brees and the short, controlled passing attack to set up the run against a Bears defense that thrives on creating turnovers. Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera must find a way to slow down the Saints' explosive passing attack that loves to spread the field, creating individual mismatches it can exploit on the back end in coverage.
Look for the Bears to rely on their running game to take pressure off QB Rex Grossman. Can Grossman put together two solid games and avoid multiple turnovers? Defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs must find a way to contain the Bears' rushing attack without giving up big explosive plays on the back end. Look for both teams to place a high emphasis on special teams this week, which could play a huge role in the outcome of this game. In the end, look for the Saints to continue their Cinderella season by upsetting the Bears and representing the NFC in Super Bowl XLI.
Prediction: Saints 27, Bears 24
Look for head coach Sean Payton to continue to rely on QB Drew Brees and the quick, controlled passing attack to set up the run. The Saints can pose a lot of problems in the passing game with a combination of Marques Colston and Reggie Bush, who combined for 158 receptions on the year.
However, Payton will also try to establish a running game with a combination of Deuce McAllister and Bush against a Bears interior run defense that struggled last Sunday. Also, look for Payton to use a lot of shifting and motioning to create individual mismatches that the Saints will attack, by identifying and using a number count in the box in QB Drew Brees' pre-snap reads.
? Expect defensive coordinator Ron Rivera to rely on a few more multiple eight-man fronts, while using zone run-dogs and inside games to contain the Saints' running game. The key for the Bears will be their ability to take away the run and force the Saints to be a one-dimensional team through the air.
Also, look for the Bears to try to create pressure on Brees with their four-man rush and single zone fires, while being physical on the outside with their corners to try to disrupt the timing and rhythm of the Saints' passing attack. The Bears' defense will need to play its best game of the season to control the Saints' explosive offense by not allowing Brees to get into rhythm.
? The Bears' defense is tough on third down, allowing only 31 percent of the plays to be converted to a first down. The success it has at getting teams in long yardage (11-plus yards) helps explain the low percentage. The Bears have a league-leading 75 snaps in third-and-long, allowing just 17 percent to convert, which means they are winning the battle on first and second down with their penetrating defense.
The defense has registered 26 sacks on first and second down. If the Saints can have success on first or second down and face the Bears in third-and-short (3-6 yards), they will have a chance to convert because the Bears are allowing opponents to convert 40 percent of the time in those situations. Third-down efficiency will be critical for Brees and the Saints' offense.
? The Bears' offense under Rex Grossman is an enigma because it is converting only 22.7 percent of the shorter yardage (3-6 yards) third downs, while converting 39 percent of the longer (7-10 yards) third downs. Grossman is completing 52 percent of his passes on third down, but is not protecting the football, throwing nine interceptions and taking 12 sacks.
On third down, Saints coordinator Gary Gibbs will bring some zone pressure to get Grossman to make a poor decision with the ball. Bears TE Desmond Clark needs to come up big if the Saints bring pressure, as he will most likely be the sight adjust receiver.
Also, look for the Bears to attack RC Fred Thomas in heavy pass-down tendencies by isolating WR Bernard Berrian out on the perimeter.
? Turnovers from Grossman could be the key to this game. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner needs to be smart with his calls, not allowing Grossman to be too risky by giving him route combinations that provide him with an outlet throw in his field of vision. These types of high-percentage routes will give Grossman excellent choices with the ball. Grossman has given the ball away 27 times this season, the most by any playoff quarterback.
? Offensively, the Saints must protect the ball and not allow the Bears to force or create turnovers. The Bears led the NFL in takeaways in the regular season with 44, and do a great job of stripping the ball away in open space to create turnovers for their offense.
The Saints' offensive line will need to do a great job of allowing Brees enough space and time in the pocket to attack the Bears' secondary, especially on his backside. The Saints can ill afford to turn the ball over and create good field position for Grossman and the Bears' offense. How the Saints protect the ball could decide the outcome of this game against a defense that thrives off turnovers.
? The quarterback comparison will involve an intriguing matchup this week between Brees and Grossman, with the Saints having the clear advantage in this game. Also, the elements could play a major role in the outcome of this game.
Brees led the NFC with a 96.2 passer efficiency rating and 26 touchdown passes, and he was tops in the entire NFL with 4,418 passing yards. Grossman finished the regular season with 262 completions on 480 attempts for 3,193 yards. His completion percentage was 54.6, with 23 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions. However, Grossman has been picked off just four times in the past five games.
Special Teams
Last Sunday, Saints punter Steve Weatherford averaged 40.3 yards, with a net of 36.0, while PK John Carney kicked field goals of 33 and 23 yards early in the game when the offense struggled in the red zone.
Weatherford must do a great job this week in his directional punting against a very good Bears return team. The Saints' coverage teams will have their hands full containing explosive returner Devin Hester, who took a punt to the house against Seattle that was called back because of a penalty. Hester is averaging 12.8 yards per punt return and can change field position, providing a spark to the Bears.
Bears punter Brad Maynard was slightly off last Sunday versus the Seahawks, but will have to be on top of his game this week. Maynard had a 36.7 net punt average, but will need to get more distance and hang time this week versus Bush. Bush averaged 7.0 yards on punt returns, while KOR Michael Lewis averaged 27.4 yards per return.
Bears PK Robbie Gould came up big against the Seahawks with two long field goals of 41 and 49 yards. Gould made 85 percent of his field goals from over 40 yards during the regular season.
Matchups
? Chicago WR Muhsin Muhammad vs. New Orleans LC Mike McKenzie
? Chicago RDE Alex Brown vs. New Orleans LT Jammal Brown
? New Orleans RB Deuce McAllister vs. Chicago MLB Brian Urlacher
? New Orleans RB Reggie Bush vs. Chicago OLB Lance Briggs
? Chicago LC Charles Tillman vs. New Orleans WR Marques Colston
Scouts' Edge
This has all the makings of a great football game. Head coach Sean Payton will continue to rely on QB Drew Brees and the short, controlled passing attack to set up the run against a Bears defense that thrives on creating turnovers. Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera must find a way to slow down the Saints' explosive passing attack that loves to spread the field, creating individual mismatches it can exploit on the back end in coverage.
Look for the Bears to rely on their running game to take pressure off QB Rex Grossman. Can Grossman put together two solid games and avoid multiple turnovers? Defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs must find a way to contain the Bears' rushing attack without giving up big explosive plays on the back end. Look for both teams to place a high emphasis on special teams this week, which could play a huge role in the outcome of this game. In the end, look for the Saints to continue their Cinderella season by upsetting the Bears and representing the NFC in Super Bowl XLI.
Prediction: Saints 27, Bears 24
