New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) looks to throw against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Teddy Bridgewater Has a Style Suited To Beat Bears Defense
New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is 4-0 as the team’s starter since stepping in for the injured Drew Brees. Bridgewater has completed 69.4% of his passes for 1,089 yards with 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions so far. Not eye-popping numbers perhaps, but the 26-year-old signal caller has been careful with the ball and has converted some key plays in big moments.
Critics of Bridgewater have pointed out that the quarterback holds on to the ball too long and often opts for a checkdown option underneath rather than take a chance down the field. Bridgewater has been a little late in his reads and slightly high on his throws, particularly early in games. He has often been sharp when his team has needed to make a play down the stretch of ballgames though, and will smartly take what a defense gives him. Bridgewater’s Saints now take on a Chicago Bears defense that is one of the most respected and opportunistic units in the league this afternoon. They do so without star running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Jared Cook, who will miss the game with injuries.
Sep 15, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws under pressure from Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack (52) in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears, who come into this game with a 3-2 record, have the NFL's 6th best defense in terms of yardage surrendered and have forced 10 turnovers. They allow an average of only 13.8 points per game, third best in the league, and have sacked opposing quarterbacks 17 times. Chicago's pressure up front is led by All-Pro Khalil Mack, who has 4.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles this season. Mack's disruption will often cause an opposing quarterback to hurry their throws, where an outstanding Bears secondary led by cornerback Kyle Fuller along with safeties Eddie Jackson and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix create big plays.
Chicago also has a physical defensive front and athletic linebackers that has held opponents to only 83 yards per game rushing and just 3.4 yards per carry. Formidable numbers for a Saints offense that has struggled to put points on the board to be sure, especially without Kamara and Cook in the lineup. There have been a couple of teams that may have provided a blueprint for success against the Chicago defense, that the same could be perfectly executed by the Saints offense.
The Oakland Raiders defeated the Bears 24-21 two weeks ago in London. The Raiders 24 points and 398 yards of total offense were both the highest Chicago has given up this season. Oakland neutralized Mack by running a variety of combinations blocking at him wherever he lined up and by being highly physical with him throughout the game. Quarterback Derek Carr got the ball out of his hands quickly, utilizing his running backs and tight ends underneath, where Chicago has been vulnerable. Raiders running back Josh Jacobs had a huge game, running for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.
A pathetic Denver Broncos offense also had some success against the Bears in week two this season, despite losing the game. The Denver running backs were able to pick up 90 yards on the ground and averaged 5.6 per carry. More importantly, Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco was sacked just twice in 52 pass attempts. Although one takedown was by Mack, a putrid Denver line was able to keep him mostly at bay. Flacco, perhaps the most immobile quarterback in the league, peppered the Chicago defense underneath with short throws to his wideouts on the move and spreading the ball around to his tight ends and backs.
Sep 9, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray (28) runs past Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby (21) to score a touchdown during the third quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Saints' running back Latavius Murray is expected to get the bulk of the carries with Kamara sidelined, has an upright and powerful style similar to Raiders' Jacobs. Remember too, that New Orleans still has All-Pro wideout Michael Thomas, who is an expert at working short and intermediate routes. The Saints also have a far better offensive line than either Oakland or Denver. Particularly at tackle, where Ryan Ramczyk and Terron Armstead are two of the best in the game today. New Orleans will help their star tackles with double team blocking, but their ability to control Khalil Mack one on one is a major key to the game. Another is the Saints' interior line, and their ability to open up holes inside for Murray and the team's running game to maintain balance.
Sep 29, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) makes a throw in the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears have benefited when opposing quarterbacks become impatient and try to force big plays, often backfiring. One strength of Bridgewater's game is his patience. He has good mobility to escape the initial rush and doesn't panic if his initial read isn't open. The chemistry between him and Thomas has gotten better with each game, and Murray has shown himself to be a valuable weapon on screen passes. The New Orleans defense is also playing as well as anyone in the league and looks equipped to shut down a below average Chicago offense. That formula, along with a terrific punter in Thomas Morstead and clutch kicker in Wil Lutz, has allowed the Saints to maintain an advantage in field position.
Bridgewater will once again be tasked to manage the game with short passes and not forcing the ball into coverage, while the team also remains patient with the running game to keep balanced. The 15th ranked Saints passing attack may not be familiar with what many are accustomed to seeing in a Sean Payton offense, but it's been a successful formula while Brees has been rehabbing his injured thumb. With the New Orleans offense even more shorthanded without Kamara and Cook, it will be Teddy Bridgewater's patience and willingness to work the Bears defense underneath this afternoon that will be the difference in this defensive showdown.
