(670 The Score) The Bears (8-8) visit the Saints (12-4) on Sunday afternoon in the wild-card round.
WBBM Newsradio 780 will carry the game, with kickoff set for 3:40 p.m. 670 The Score will have pregame with Hub Arkush, Patrick Mannelly and Olin Kreutz starting at noon and continuing until game 2:45 p.m., when our Bulls broadcast starts. Immediately after the conclusion of the Bears game, we’ll have complete postgame coverage with Arkush, Mannelly, Kreutz and Anthony Herron. You can see all of 670’s preview coverage of the Bears-Saints matchup by clicking here.
Here are our 670 game predictions, with each individual’s Bears prognostication record this season in parentheses.
David Haugh (9-7): Saints 35, Bears 24
Playoff expansion won’t help the Bears stop the Saints’ pass rush or running game. Edge rushers Trey Hendrickson and Cam Jordan threaten to make every passing play a harrowing experience for Mitchell Trubisky. The Saints offensive line figures to open holes regardless of who runs the ball. Factor in future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, and it’s hard to see a path to victory for the Bears, whose challenge increases with the likely absence of injured linebacker Roquan Smith. Expect a second straight double-digit loss that will end the Bears’ season. If the Bears find a way, it will mean something fluky happened.
Mike Mulligan (10-6): Bears 26, Saints 23 (OT)
An unexpected reversal of fortune will see the Bears through to a third shot against the Packers. Really? A little COVID-19 here, a bad rib there, maybe a defensive touchdown and a clutch field goal. Yes, it’s far-fetched and hints of hallucination, but the Saints are a smidge overrated and the Bears a hint motivated. Don’t bet on it.
Danny Parkins (12-4): Saints 31, Bears 17
The Bears backed into the playoffs and lived to fight another day.
Unfortunately, it’s just one day. The Saints’ defense is legit and the Bears’ is a shell of itself. I think Alvin Kamara has 150-plus yards from scrimmage and the Saints control the game from start to finish.
Herb Lawrence (6-10): Saints 35, Bears 27
The Bears are in the playoffs, yay! Let’s hope they don’t embarrass the city and themselves when they play in New Orleans. I don’t think that they will, but they’ll also come up just short in ending their season – and hopefully the Ryan Pace era.
Chris Emma (11-5): Saints 31, Bears 26
The end of Chicago’s road comes in New Orleans, where the Saints will pull through in a close game – and send the Bears into an offseason of uncertainty.
Rick Camp (10-6): Saints 31, Bears 17
Pace being done in by the only other organization he has ever known seems fitting.
