New Orleans Saints: Final predictions vs. the Chicago Bears

It’s game day! The New Orleans Saints are in Chicago to take on the Bears in what will be a challenging game with no Drew Brees nor Alvin Kamara.

The New Orleans Saints have passed all the tests without Drew Brees thus far. The Saints have won all four games with Teddy Bridgewater under center, two of which came against playoff teams in the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys.

The Saints have their last big test without Brees on Sunday as they head into Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears, who are one of the toughest teams to beat on the road in the NFL. That defense with the deafening crowd is not an easy thing to get past.

The positive thing for the Saints is that they are coming up against another mediocre quarterback. Mitchell Trubisky is going to be under center for the Bears, but it doesn’t really matter. He is not all that better than Chase Daniel.

It is not going to be the prettiest game you have ever watched but it is still important for future playoff seeding. Here is how the game is going to go down.

Offensive standout: Taysom Hill

This has all the makings of a Taysom Hill game. Sean Payton has been less risky using Hill since Brees has been out since he is now the backup quarterback and we are going to see Hill on full display in this one.

It has all the makings of being a game that Payton needs to call on Hill. They are coming up against a stout defense in a game that they do not have Alvin Kamara. They are going to need to get creative.

That means that we will end up seeing more of the gadget plays than we are used to seeing and that Hill will be on the field for more snaps than usual. Whether its running the ball, throwing the ball or catching the ball, Hill will have a big night and this will go down as the Taysom Hill game.

Defensive standout: Cameron Jordan

The Chicago Bears have a below-average offensive line and the New Orleans Saints are going to have to take advantage of that to completely capitalize on how mediocre Trubisky is.

This should mean a big day for one of the Saints’ defensive linemen, in this case being the leader of the pact, Cameron Jordan.

Jordan is one of the most talented edge rushers in the league but is yet to have that really big game this year. He did record two sacks last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars but that is not a big game in his standards.

Jordan is primed for a 3+ sack game and I think we will see just that with the Bears’ offensive line. Trubisky will do his best to scramble and extend plays, but it won’t be enough.

Score prediction: 17-14, New Orleans Saints

I think we see a pair of touchdowns out of Taysom Hill, one running the ball and one passing the ball, and a strong defensive showing that leads the Saints to victory.

The thing that will ultimately swing this game in the Saints’ favor is the field-position battle. New Orleans will do great at pinning the Bears back and starting their own drives with better field position.

That will be enough to make a three-point difference as the Saints will stuff a last-ditch attempt from the Bears to tie or win the game.