The Chicago Bears return home after suffering their first loss of the season. Up next for them is a meeting with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, who are quietly racking up victories again despite not having one of their best weapons on offense. Check out our preview of this game below.
The Saints are picking up wins in succession again, as they are on a three-game win streak. In their most recent game, the Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers at home last Sunday, 27-24. And New Orleans is winning even without star wide receiver Michael Thomas. The wideout is reportedly not trending well for a return to action this week after getting diagnosed with a hamstring injury. The Saints appeared to have learned how to compensate for Thomas’ absence, as they continue to have success with Brees having a three-receiver set featuring Tre’Quan Smith. Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris. Callaway led the team in the Carolina game with 75 receiving yards. The Bears’ stop unit will not let Brees and company get away easily most of the time, but the Saints can enjoy extra possessions in this game, given the problems on Chicago’s offense that was on full display in its Week 7’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Saints are averaging 30.0 points and 384.5 passing yards per game.
The Saints are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games overall.
The Bears are supposed to enjoy better offense with Nick Foles under center instead of Mitchell Trubisky, but last Monday’s 24-10 road loss to the Rams showed that the gap between the two quarterbacks may not be as wide as most people believe. Foles went 28-of-40 for 261 passing yards and zero touchdowns while getting intercepted twice and sacked four times for a loss of 31 yards. However, the Saints’ defense may offer hope for Chicago, as New Orleans’ secondary has looked vulnerable this season. Foles might feel more confident to heave long throws at Allen Robinson in this game against New Orleans’ defense that has allowed six 40+ plays this season, tied for second-most in the NFL. As for their own defense, Chicago can stifle Drew Brees with its vaunted pass defense that’s limiting opponents to only 58.73 pass completion percentage. The Bears are also second overall in opponents’ third-down percentage (31.68).
The under is 8-2 in the Bears’ last 10 games as the home team.
