The Chicago Bears will host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in a matchup of two teams which made the playoffs in 2018. Both teams appear to be vastly different teams from a season ago.
The Bears are coming off their bye week with a 3-2 record in a tough NFC North. At this moment, it appears Mitchell Trubisky is on track to start on Sunday after missing Week 5 with a shoulder injury. Nothing is final, however, regarding his status as of Friday afternoon.
Regardless of who has been under center, the Bears' offense under Matt Nagy hasn't had the same success it had in 2018. After scoring 26.3 points per game last season (ninth in the NFL), Chicago's offense has managed to score just 17.4 points per game so far this season (26th in the NFL).
As for the Saints, they come into the game with a 5-1 record, even with Drew Brees missing the past four games. Luckily for New Orleans, Teddy Bridgewater has done a remarkable job replacing Brees while he recovers from thumb surgery.
Along with Brees, the Saints will also be taking the field on Sunday without Alvin Kamara and Jared Cook. Even with New Orleans being shorthanded, it should be a tightly contested game in Week 7. With that being said, here are four reasons why the Bears will defeat the Saints in Week 7.
4. Chicago had an extra week to prepare
Last Sunday, Bears fans were forced to watch Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes square off while their beloved team was on their bye week. As a result, they got an extra week to game-plan against a talented Saints team.
Even with Bridgewater under center, New Orleans' offense hasn't missed a beat. Most of the credit should go to Sean Payton for putting his backup quarterback into positive situations.
There's no doubt that the Saints offense is completely different with Bridgewater instead of Brees throwing the ball. Chicago still has a dominant defense and they should be absolutely prepared mentally and physically heading into Week 7.
3. No Kamara, No Problem
Yes, the Saints have Latavius Murray behind Kamara on the depth chart. As good of a backup that Murray is, he isn't nearly the offensive threat that Kamara is.
Without Kamara, New Orleans will rely on Michael Thomas and Murray in their offense. That definitely favors the Bears when it comes to how they plan to slow down Payton's offense.
If Kamara was able to play, Chuck Pagano would be devoting nearly 90 percent of his game-plan to containing the dual-threat back. Now, he'll be able to sleep a bit better on Saturday night knowing he doesn't have to face him.
2. Trubisky is likely back
The Bears' offense has struggled to consistently put together drives that result in points this season. Even considering that, the offense is better suited for Trubisky to be taking the snaps.
Prior to his shoulder injury, Trubisky was coming off of his best game of the season against the Washington Redskins. The third-year quarterback completed all but six of his passes for 231 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
Trubisky has practiced all week and is listed as questionable to make his return in Week 7. However, it seems as if he is leaning towards being active for the first time since Week 4. That should provide a boost for an offense who is desperate to get back on track.
1. Bridgewater will be under duress
There's no mistaking the strength of this Chicago defense, which is their relentless pass rush. They'll be without Akiem Hicks for at least eight weeks but that doesn't mean they don't have the personnel that can take control of a game.
Of course, you can't talk about the Bears defense without mentioning Khalil Mack. Along with Mack, the Bears also have Leonard Floyd, Aaron Lynch, and Eddie Goldman on their front seven.
The Bears' front seven is going to make it tough for Bridgewater to get into a rhythm in the game. This season, Bridgewater has completed just 32.4 percent of his passes while under pressure (22nd in the NFL).
With a mixture of Mack and the other pass rushers, Chicago is going to make Bridgewater uncomfortable in the pocket, forcing him into mental mistakes or errant throws.
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