Today’s matchup vs. the Bears will be interesting in a lot of ways. Statistically, these teams are basically the same, but opposite. Let me explain.
The Saints hold the number one 3rd down offense in the NFL. The Bears offense, 30th. Opposite. The same, however, because the Bears defense ranks 2nd on 3rd down and the Saints defense sits at 29. The Saints defense has been outstanding against the run again this year. Their struggles have come against the pass. The Bears are an average run defense, but Chicago has given up the fewest passing TD’s in the NFL. That’s a lot of statistics early in an article, but while those may be confusing, the point is simple. This game is strength vs. strength and weakness vs. weakness. Something has got to give.
If you look deeper into film on both these teams, you start to understand a little better where the problems lie. Last week during the Bears Monday Night Football game with the Rams, Brian Griese told viewers that Nick Foles told him that Nagy will send in plays that Foles already knows won’t work, because he won’t have time execute it. Now, besides the obvious riff that is going to cause between Foles and his coach, it also is a telling statement as it pertains to his protection and his relationship with his offensive line. The bottom line is, Foles is right.
The major issue on this Bears offense has been it’s issues with the offensive front. Chicago brought in Germain Ifedi from the Seahawks to shore up the line and he has moved inside to guard, where he hasn’t looked comfortable yet this season. James Daniels, who had been the Bears most effective pass blocker, was lost in their Thursday night game vs the Bucs, and they will also be without their center Cody Whitehair. The problems are widespread across this group. All four of the Bears starters, who had played every game coming into this one, have surrendered more total pressure than ANY Saints offensive lineman.
The Saints front has been dominant vs the run this year, but if there was ever a game to get healthy with the pass rush, it’s right now. The Saints ability to affect the quarterback will all but ensure a victory in Chicago. The Bears cannot run the football on this Saints front. The Saints are too talented and invest too many resources in stopping it. That rang true last year as well. The Bears ran the ball for all of 17 yards vs the Saints, after completely abandoning the effort. If the Saints can force the Bears into that type of one dimensional football again, it’s going to be very difficult to move the ball. This Bears offense just doesn’t have that type of firepower.
Offensively, the Saints are in for a battle. The front seven of the Bears is as good as they will face this season. Khalil Mack is one of the elite defensive players in the NFL, equally adept at stopping the run as rushing the passers. He will be a focus of the Saints pass protection.
Unfortunately, the difficulty doesn’t end there. Robert Quinn, who has been a difficult matchup for Terron Armstead in the past, will line up opposite Mack along with former LSU Tiger Barkevious Mingo. While the tackles are battling outside...inside, it’s former Saints Akiem Hicks who will keep the front occupied.
Bottom line, the Saints have their hands full from start to finish. There are 7 Bears with at least one sack on the season and the problems can come from anywhere. Behind the front, the Bears have one of the best coverage linebackers in football. Roquan Smith leads the Bears with 60 tackles and his sideline to sideline style will be another challenge for the Saints.