The Saints are coming

The last time the New Orleans saints faced the Chicago Bears, the Saints trampled Chicago 30-13 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. That season the Saints went on to win the NFC South but lossed in the divisional round.  The odds haven’t always been the black and gold’s favor. In the last three attempts, the Saints are 1-2. Both losses come down to eight points or less. 

With Coach Payton’s return and a defense that seems to be improving, this time around the team will be hoping to even the score and keep their untainted record perfect. To do that the Saints must pass the hurdle of the Bears tough defense. The (3-1) Bears are coming off a loss in week three. It will be interesting to see how the Saints perform on all cylinders. Will they go up to Soldier Field and lay an egg? Or will they continue to play as a complete team looking to define themselves as one of the elite?

Keys to the game

Offense: Drew Brees must stay hot! His numbers are nothing out of the ordinary. The veteran seems to be performing at a surgical level. Keeping the ball out of (CB) Charles Tillman’s reach is one key thing to remember. Brees is becoming more mobile in the pocket when options become unavailable.

#protection #ballsecurity

In the last two weeks, Khiry Robinson is proving that he is capable of being a premier ball carrier if called upon. Get him the ball as often as possible. Let him get more comfortable with longer playing time. In other words, #feedthatboy the ball.

Defense: The Saints’ defense will have their hands full. The Saints must stay alert and energetic The Bears have plenty of offensive weapons. Jay Cutler’s performance has been the topic of discussion lately. So far the quarterback has eight touchdowns and six interceptions in four games. The Saints must eliminate his options and get him to move. Those options seem to be endless. Former Tulane running back, Matt Forte, is a powerful runner who waits for holes to open. Forte and Michael Bush along with Tight End Martellus Bennett have the potential to wear down a defense. Blitzing can be dangerous. A coordinator runs the risk of leaving a player open. Not that we should be overly concerned with Rob Ryan’s scheme. How can the Saints shut down an explosive receiving corp like Brandon Marshall and Devin Hester? Can the Saints’ defense pick apart Cutler and expose more weak spots in the offense?

 Special Teams

If the Saints’ special teams targets only one aspect this Sunday, it should most probably be stopping Devin Hester. Hester’s averaging more than 30 yards on kick returns with his longest of 80-yards and less than five yards on punt returns. He is capable of racking up yards to give his team great field position. With a stingy Bears’ defense, the Saints will need to win the battle of field position.

      How about a round? After a blowout of the Miami Dolphins in week four, the Saints’ playmakers deserve a toast. 

A toast: Drew Brees. Why? The Saints’ captain was damn near perfect against the Dolphins. Brees completed 30 out of 39 passes for 413-yards and four touchdowns.

A toast: Junior Galette. Why? The outside linebacker sacked Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

A toast:  Jabari Greer. Why? The veteran cornerback intercepted Tannehill and returned the ball 22-yards.

Notable injuries:

G Tim Lelito PROBABLE

CB Keenan Lewis QUESTIONABLE       

DE Tom Johnson QUESTIONABLE

DT Brodrick Bunkley OUT

RB Mark Ingram OUT

DE Tyrunn Walker  OUT

S Roman Harper OUT

WR Lance Moore OUT

Score Prediction:  Saints 31 vs Chicago 27

Season Prediction: 11-5 and a trip to the playoffs.

                                                                                                            Cheers,

                                                                                                               SC

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