The New Orleans Saints travel to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears in a Week 7 primetime showdown. Chicago has been without starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky since Week 4, but he is looking to make his return against New Orleans. Teddy Bridgewater and company have another tough challenge in the form of the Bears defense.
There are an abundance of interesting matchups to breakdown. Many of these matchups are game changers and both teams will look to obtain the advantage.
Saints Defense vs Bears Defense
While this matchup is not a direct one, it is quite possibly the most important. The Saints offense has struggled to get rolling as of late, and a ton of questions remain on the status of key players. On the flip side, the Bears have had a hard time scoring points this season even with Trubisky under center. In this game, the outcome will likely hinge on which team’s defense can have the biggest impact.
In terms of total yardage allowed New Orleans is ranked tenth, while Chicago has the eighth-ranked squad. These two defenses represent a heavyweight bout. Perhaps the biggest indicator of who will win this game is which team can best stop the run. Teddy Bridgewater has struggled to find his groove stretching the field, and neither Trubisky nor backup Chase Daniel have proven they are capable of making big plays downfield. New Orleans has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in over 32 games.
On the flip side, the Bears defense is ranked fifth in the league in stopping the run while allowing only 83 yards per game. This game will be won on the defensive side of the ball, and it’ll be two of the best units in football right now having a go at it.
Saints Offensive Line vs Bears Defensive Line
This expands on the first matchup, but for New Orleans it will be the most important “direct” matchup. Chicago’s defensive line is one of the most formidable in the business. However, infamous former Saint Akiem Hicks will not be apart of the squad this week. The absence of Hicks will give the Saints interior offensive line a little bit of breathing room.
Close attention will need to be paid to penalties for New Orleans’ offensive line. Penalties have negatively affected the unit this year in a big way, and in a game where every inch will be the price of gold, penalties will have to be kept to a minimum. However, the Saints offensive line has proved that when it is operating on all cylinders, it is one of the best in the league. That version of the line will need to be present on Sunday afternoon for New Orleans to stop the number one pass rusher in the league: Khalil Mack.
Saints Defensive Line vs Bears Offensive Line
Marcus Davenport has become an absolute force to be reckoned with this season. The defensive end already has three sacks on the year and a forced fumble. On top of that, Davenport has averaged the third most quarterback pressures per snap at one pressure every 13.67 snaps. Davenport is joined by perennial force Cameron Jordan on the opposite side. The defensive end duo should be able to wreak havoc on a Chicago offensive line which has been severely struggling this season. If New Orleans can stop the Chicago run attack, it will force whichever Bears quarterback is in the game to make the play with their arm. That never bodes well for the Bears.
Saints Receiving Corps vs Bears Secondary
Teddy Bridgewater has not really found his footing yet with the passing game, aside from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game in Week 5. Tampa Bay ranked 32nd in stopping the pass, and Bridgewater took advantage of the matchup. Since then, Bridgewater regressed back to his typical production level during the Jacksonville Jaguars game in Week 6. Key injuries have prohibited the receiving corps from operating at full strength, and the Bears will take full advantage of that on Sunday.
Chicago’s pass defense is the tenth ranked team in the NFL at stopping the pass. At only 229-yards allowed per game, the Bears will pose a very tough challenge for Bridgewater who is already struggling to find his groove. If Bridgewater can make plays against a top ranked Bears secondary, then New Orleans stands a good chance at running away with the game.
