Saints Face Most Difficult Challenge Yet at Chicago
The New Orleans Saints have overcome a wide variety of different obstacles on their way to four straight victories without starting #1 and future Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees; that has given them a (5-1) win-loss record and has put them near the very top of the NFC just slightly behind undefeated San Francisco.
But this upcoming Sunday, the Black and Gold likely will face their most difficult challenge yet through the first seven games of the 2019 Season, when they will travel to the Windy City to face the (3-2) Chicago Bears at Soldier Field — one of the toughest venues for visiting teams to play at throughout the entire NFL.
Aug 8, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of Soldier Field during the second quarter of the preseason game between the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Given that knowledge, the oddsmakers out in Las Vegas have made the Bears an early 3.5 point favorite to beat the Saints, although that could be subject to change depending on the availability of several injured players from both sides.
Brees will miss his 5th straight game while he continues to heal from recent surgery for his torn thumb ligament that he suffered back in Week #2 against the Rams out in Los Angeles.
As of right now, the 40-year old Brees is expected to return right after the Saints' Bye Week, which takes place in Week #9. That would put him back in the starting line-up the following week in Week #10 at the Superdome, against the Black and Gold's hated and despised arch-rivals, the Atlanta Falcons.
Back-up Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater will once again get the start in Brees' absence, and he has unexpectedly and somewhat surprisingly led New Orleans to a perfect (4-0) record that has allowed them to remain atop of the current NFC South Division standings.
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
While the 26-year old Bridgewater hasn't always necessarily been "razor-sharp" or has consistently displayed Brees-like pinpoint accuracy; the former University of Louisville star has emerged as a figurative spiritual leader for the team and the entire Saints franchise.
However, the Saints could also be without the services of #1 RB Alvin Kamara,; who tweaked his knee in the win over Jacksonville this past weekend, although early indications from Saints head coach Sean Payton are that he will still play.
Kamara played in 39 total snaps last week in the team's win over Jacksonville, but just in case he might not be at full capacity, the Saints are expected to work out former RB Travaris Cadet, who played twice before for the Saints from 2012-2014 and then once again from 2015-2016.
Chicago meanwhile could once again be without the services of their starting quarterback, 3rd-year signal-caller Mitch Trubisky; who has missed the past few games for the Bears when he suffered a dislocated left shoulder (in his non-throwing arm) and a slightly-torn labrum in their Week #4 win over Minnesota.
If Trubisky is unable to play, the Bears are once again expected to start back-up QB (and former Saints back-up), Chase Daniel.
In Trubisky's absence, Daniel was able to lead Chicago to a 16-6 win over the Vikings in that contest, but he struggled the following week over in London, England when the Bears were upset by the Oakland Raiders. In that contest, Daniel threw two critical interceptions that led to their 24-21 defeat.
Trubisky was back at the Bears' practice yesterday, but Chicago head coach Matt Nagy told reporters that it wouldn't be a decision that will be made until they determine Trubisky's capacity to handle the pain associated with his still-healing injury.
Sep 29, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) leaves the field after injuring his shoulder against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
"He was out there today, but his situation for us, is seeing exactly where he's at with pain — all of his collaborating to see where he is, (and) to see if he is ready to go for this week", Nagy said. Nagy also said that it was the first time that Trubisky has resumed throwing passes, since that game against Minnesota.
"I thought he looked good", Nagy added. "But we'll see as the week goes, exactly how he feels and exactly where he's at". Daniel's task won't be any easier either even if he does start against New Orleans, as Nagy also announced that offensive guard Kyle Long had been placed on injured reserve with a hip injury.
Regardless of who starts at quarterback for the Bears, the final outcome of Sunday's highly-anticipated contest is more than likely to be ultimately determined by the outstanding defensive units of both teams.
The Bears are generally regarded League-wide as having the NFL's #1 overall defense, led by All-Pro pass rusher Khalil Mack and an opportunistic secondary that routinely forces multiple turnovers.
But despite that, the stout Chicago defense has had a few struggles already this season in regard to closing out games in the 4th Quarter; and have allowed late touchdowns in games against Denver and Oakland. Bears kicker Eddie Pineiro bailed them out of the Denver game with a 53-yard field goal to win that game, but they were unable to stop the Raiders from coming out victorious in London.
New Orleans, on the other hand, hasn't always been known for defense, but with Brees expected to be lost for almost the entire first half of the season because of his injury, the Saints defense has risen to the occasion; and have strung together a series of impressive performances which have helped fuel their current 4-game winning streak in his absence.
Two weeks ago they shut down the heralded and high-powered Dallas Cowboys offense led by superstars Dak Prescott. Ezekiel Elliot and Amari Cooper, limiting them to just 10 points total in a 12-10 New Orleans victory.
The following week they sacked Tampa QB Jameis Winston 6 times in a 31-24 win; but their most impressive performance of the year may have been last week: when they held Jacksonville to 226 total yards of offense while "shutting down" the Jaguars' "Big 3" of rookie QB Gardner Minshew, RB Leonard Fournette, and emerging young star WR DJ Chark.
However, one major injury could have a direct impact on Sunday's game, as the Bears are likely to be without stellar defensive end and former 2012 Saints 3rd-Round draft pick Akiem Hicks; who was accidentally injured when teammate Khalil Mack's helmet struck his arm and dislocated his left elbow.
Nagy said yesterday that the Bears hadn't yet ruled out placing the premier pass-rusher on injured reserve. But his loss from their starting defensive line-up could be a key factor for a Bears team that has sacked the quarterback a total of 17 times in their first five games. As a reactive move to the news on Hicks, the Bears yesterday activated defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson from their practice squad.
If they are any additional factors that potentially could play a role in determining who ultimately will emerge victorious in this crucial match-up of NFC Playoff contenders, it would be the venue itself. The all-time series between the two franchises stands tied currently at (15-15), but the Saints are only (7-10) overall at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Sep 29, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A Bears fan watches practice before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
As it turns out. Soldier Field has been the site of some of the more painful memories in Saints team history —including past Playoff losses in 1990 (in near sub-zero temperatures) and the infamous 2006 NFC Championship Game; a Bears blow-out victory that saw them advance to the Super Bowl over the Black and Gold in Payton's very first season as head coach.
All of that aside, this contest on Sunday will also likely come down to which team simply does the best job of protecting the football and keeping turnovers to an absolute minimum. While New Orleans has a slight advantage offensively, Chicago should have a slight edge defensively and undoubtedly will utilize the home crowd to their advantage, in any way possible.
This game is almost a "must-win" for the Bears, who now trail NFC North Division leader Green Bay (5-1) by a game and a half following the Packers' controversial win last night over Detroit on Monday Night Football. The Saints meanwhile maintain a one-game lead over 2nd place and (4-2) Carolina in the NFC South and will maintain that lead for at least another week with the Panthers currently on their Bye Week.
Bottom line: you can expect this to be a "slug-fest" or a "slobber-knocker" of a football game — a game in which the Saints will face what likely will be their most difficult challenge yet; and just seven games into a season that's been full of them so far in what has already been a very memorable (and unforgettable) year in the National Football League in 2019....
