The Saints look to continue their hot streak at Soldier Field, while the Bears look to keep pace in the NFC North.
The Saints offense has had its ups and downs without Drew Brees under center, but they have been doing just enough to keep racking up the wins.
Along with Brees, Alvin Kamara and Jared Cook are officially out for the game. This slates Latavius Murray and Josh Hill as the starters. Although they are not nearly as dynamic as the starters, they are more than capable of carrying the workload, as we have seen both as starters in the past.
The Saints’ offense is around the middle of the pack, averaging 21.3 points per game, but this has not stopped them from winning games. Although it hasn’t always been pretty, Teddy Bridgewater and company have put together four straight wins in Brees’s absence.
As for the Bears, they have their own injury concerns. Mitchell Trubisky is dealing with a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for the game but is expected to start. The Bears’ offense has struggled mightily this season, averaging 266 yards per game, which is ranked slightly above the endemic Jets and Dolphins offenses.
Lack of yards equates to lack of points, and that has shown for the Bears. They are ranked in the bottom half of the league, averaging 17.4 points per game.
This game looks like it’ll turn out to be a defensive battle. The Bears have a top-notch defense once again. They are giving up an average of 13.8 points per game, good for third in the league. Their formidable pass-rushing duo of Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd will give the Saints’ offensive line all they can handle on Sunday. As if this wasn’t a handful enough, Michael Thomas and co. will have a tough time getting open with the Bears’ elite secondary following them around.
The Saints’ defense has gotten better each week of the season. After starting off slow against the Texans and Rams, they have really stepped up in Brees’s absence. Marshon Lattimore is back to being one of the best cornerbacks in the league, with the help of Vonn Bell and Marcus Williams shutting down opposing offense’s big play ability. The defensive line has also stepped up with Sheldon Rankins coming back from his Achilles injury. A defensive line with a core of Rankins and Cameron Jordan has been giving opposing offensive lines trouble in recent weeks. In Brees’s absence, the defense has given up just 17 points per game.
What to watch for:
Mitchell Trubisky’s return
Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky missed two games with a shoulder injury, but he seems to be on track to play against the Saints. In his last full game, he looked very solid, throwing for three touchdowns against Washington. He will look to return to form against a strong and improving Saints secondary. If he can’t suit up, veteran Chase Daniel will make his second straight start of the season.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson stepping up
Saints rookie defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson has played very well so far in his rookie season. He will not have a chance to make a bigger name for himself as the starting nickel back P.J. Williams has been suspended for the next two games due to violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Key Injuries
Along with Alvin Kamara, Jared Cook, and Drew Brees, Tre’Quan Smith is listed as out for Sunday’s game. This takes away most of the Saints’ offensive firepower, but this has yet to stop them so far this season. Sunday will be their biggest test against the strongest defense they’ve played this season.
The Bears will be missing key players along their offensive and defensive lines. On defense, Akiem Hicks will miss Sunday’s game as he has been placed on injured reserve. Hicks will be eligible to return later in the season. Kyle Long will also miss Sunday’s contest, as he is out for the remainder of the season.
Game Info
Date: October 20, 2019
Start time: 4:25 p.m. EST
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Stadium: Soldier Field
TV Info: FOX
Betting
Spread: Saints +4.0
Over/Under: 37
In a hard-fought defensive battle, I expect Teddy Bridgewater to continue his hot streak and pull out a fifth straight win, as Trubisky will struggle against a Saints’ defense that has improved each week.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints 17, Chicago Bears 10
