How to Watch NFL Playoff Game Between Bears and Saints; Gametime, TV, Point Spread
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Drew Brees says he feels good, and he's got weapon Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas dressed as ready to go as the New Orleans Saints begin their postseason journey at home against the Chicago Bears.
The Bears were just 8-8 this season, but benefited from the NFL expanding the playoffs this year to seven teams in each conference. The Bears lost to Green Bay in the final week, but still got into the postseason field when Arizona lost.
The two teams met earlier this year, with the Saints winning in overtime.
Here's how to watch the Chicago Bears' game with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday:
Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints
- WHAT: NFL wild-card game between the No. 7-seed Chicago Bears and No. 2-seed New Orleans Saints in the NFC playoffs.
- WHEN: Sunday, 4:40 p.m. ET
- WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, La.
- POINT SPREAD: New Orleans is favored by 10.5 points on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., according to the DraftKings.com gambling website. The over/under is at 48
- TV: CBS
- Stream: CBS.com/all-access
- TV Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (color commentary)
- RECORDS: Chicago Bears (8-8, 5-3) on the road this season); New Orleans Saints (12-4, 6-2 at home this season)
- LAST GAME: The Bears lost to the Green Bay Packers 35-16. The Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 33-7 to clinch the NFC South and the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
- ALL-TIME SERIES: New Orleans leads the series 17-15 and has won six games in a row in the series.
- LAST MEETING: New Orleans won 26-23 in overtime in November.
Key Matchup
Alvin Kamara is the Saints' leading rusher with a career-high 932 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s also their leading receiver, with 756 yards and 5 touchdowns on a career-high 83 receptions. Kamara is the league’s most dynamic back in the open field and is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Chicago has a pair of athletic playmakers at linebacker in Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan. Unfortunately for the Bears, Smith, whose two interceptions lead the team, will be out with an elbow injury. Questions also surround the health of Kamara, who missed last week’s season finale because of a positive COVID test.
Look for the Saints to use Kamara heavily as both a runner and receiver, hoping to get his explosive skills in the open field. In two career games against Chicago, Kamara has 95 yards rushing and a touchdown on 20 attempts and 12 receptions for 144 yards. He accounted for 163 yards from scrimmage when these teams met earlier this season.
More Bears injuries
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson will be unavailable due to his shoulder injury. Johnson has missed three straight games and it had been thought he might be able to play because he had been able to practice on a limited basis all week. However, he has been declared inactive and will again be replaced by rookie Kindle Vildor or, at times, by second-year player Duke Shelley. Johnson had been questionable for the game on Friday's injury report.
