CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Bears take on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday as part of Super Wild Card Weekend. Kickoff is set for 3:40 p.m. at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and the game can be heard on WBBM Newsradio 780. Here are Jeff Joniak's keys to the game.
Offense
· What worked against the Packers defense last week should be unveiled in New Orleans against the Saints. It is one of the best units in the league, ranked top ten in 23 major categories. The Bears have to find a way to maintain the ball, beat the clock, shorten the game, and once in the red area, score touchdowns. It’s simple as that but difficult to attain.
· However, for a variety of reasons the Saints rank 29th in red zone touchdown efficiency at 68%. They give up touchdowns. The Bears have to execute at an elite level inside the twenty to pull the upset.
· Getting the run game revved up and sustained will create some of the listed goals. Even though the Saints ranked fourth against the run and third in yards/carry(3.47), the Eagles ran the ball 36 times for 246-yards and 6.8 yards/carry with 11 rushing first downs. The running of quarterback Jalen Hurts really stung the Saints. Getting Mitch Trubisky on the move and picking up a few first downs with his legs will help to loosen up the Saints defense.
· In addition to running the ball, the Bears want some big plays in the passing game. It might be a deep shot or two, against a Saints defense that has committed a league-high 19 interference penalties. It might be a swing pass, slant, or deep post that includes big yards after the catch attachment.
· The Saints are without sack leader Trey Hendrickson, but nine other players have contributed to 45 sacks, including a player to watch at defensive tackle in David Onyemata who has 6.5 sacks. He has a powerful frame and a nasty play style that suits the physical approach of coordinator Dennis Allen.
· The Bears must protect the ball. The Saints finished tied for the league lead with 18 interceptions.
Defense
· For me and my broadcast partner Tom Thayer the same key that existed in week 8 against the Saints, remains the top key in this wildcard game: Sure tackling.
· At times inconsistent this season, defenders must get to the ball quickly and put the ball carrier down on first contact. It will take the whole army to defuse the variety of weapons the Saints can deploy.
· It starts at running back, where the Saints are blessed with one of the best dual threats in the game in Alvin Kamara. With nearly 900 yards after the catch or contact, Kamara is a chain mover and a big play threat. He gained 5.6 per carry and10.7 a catch against the Bears in week 8. With Roquan Smith(elbow) absent, it puts a lot of pressure on the defense to slow down Kamara. He was very good in coverage on Kamara in the regular-season meeting.
· Veteran Latavius Murray is a terrific complement and hurt the Bears in 2019 with a 119-yard effort. Taysom Hill is a changeup weapon managing three rushing first downs on 5 carries against the Bears in week 8 plus a 20-yard touchdown catch.
· The Saints will try to establish the run, and the Bears must tackle in volume and really work hard at prying the ball loose. Hill fumbled the ball 10 times this season, losing five.
· Drew Brees suffered a punctured lung and cracked ribs this season, he doesn’t throw it deep very often, but if given a clean pocket he will efficiently and with accuracy pick away at a defense with precision. The Bears have to find a way to create pressure, disrupt throwing lanes, and create a lot of traffic in the face of this great quarterback.
· Brees is expected to have his full arsenal ready to go including 2019 offensive player of the year Michael Thomas who has played only seven games, and Emmanuel Sanders, who is a dangerous slot possession receiver. This will be another big job for the secondary and players like Kyle Fuller, Kindle Vildor, and Duke Shelley.
· A very aggressive, physical approach by the Bears defense must include takeaways. It is imperative.
Special Teams
· This looks like one of the most challenging games of the season for the Bears special teams unit. They are solid and elite across the board from their kicking operation to the return game, to the Saints coverage units.
· This game could turn on field position so every snap counts. It would be fantastic if this unit could steal a possession away from the powerful Saints offense.
· NFC Special Teams Player of the Month, Cairo Santos kicked for Tulane in the Superdome, but never once yet in the NFL. He has a very good feel for the place, giving him road confidence in an indoor venue. Santos’ comeback story is one of the best in the league this year. His Bears record streak of converting 27 consecutive field goals provides playoff confidence for the coaching staff.
· Squeezing yards out of the return game is challenging against the Saints. 90% of their kickoffs land in the end zone, which has led to just 18-yards per return, 6th best in the league. Fifty-one of Thomas Morstead’s 62 punts have resulted in zero or negative return yards. It is an incredible number resulting in a league-low 46 total punt return yards.
· Two of the premier returners in the game face off in this one with kick king Cordarrelle Patterson and 5’6” 170-pound Deonte Harris of the Saints. Harris is healthy after playing just nine games, but he averages better than 12-yards on his punt returns, and nearly 28-yards on kickoffs. He is dangerous, but so is Patterson. Each has a big role in creating field position.
Intangibles
· The Halas Hall anthem this week is “no regrets”. That goes for coaches and players. The Bears feel they have nothing to lose as big underdogs to the Saints and they are using that in some small way to fuel their resolve. How that translates snap-to-snap could help pen the latest playoff chapter in Bears history.