Saints Marching In…
Bears vs Saints in Chicago!
This matchup has a couple of juicy back stories (not sure why I used juicy here, must be all those media outlets I listen to that like throwing that word around). Saints QB Spencer Rattler and Bears QB Caleb Williams were actually on the same college football team…the Oklahoma Sooners. Spencer was the starter and there was a game the Sooners were down by a lot of points. The crowd chanted for Caleb. Caleb went into the game and ended up winning it! From that point, Caleb was the starter. His head coach at the time in Oklahoma ended up getting a new HC job at USC…Caleb actually followed him there as well.
The next story has to do with our DC Dennis Allen. Dennis Allen was the longtime defensive coordinator and eventual head coach of the Saints! He was fired and the Bears picked him up of course. You think he would love the opportunity to beat his former team? The Saints are not a good football team at 1-5 so if Dennis Allen can have a part on sending them down the standings into a hole they cannot recover from….he will do it (no matter the diplomatic response he may have told reporters).
Our Offense vs Their Defense
The Saints defense is not great, but they do have a few playmakers. DE Carl Granderson is a good pass rusher and has 4.5 sacks this year. Demario Davis is 36 and yet still producing high tackle numbers. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (yes, you read that right) is a young up and coming CB the Bears will need to be careful with. Again, he is young and aggressive…that over eagerness can be taken advantage of. Considering injuries to the secondary, I think the Bears need to attack heavily in the passing game.
In fact, I think this is a game our tight ends could really cause some damage in the middle of the field for some big 1st down completions. If we want some yards after catch though…attack the outside with short throws….force their corners to tackle our receivers. Also, continue to use RB Swift by opening up holes, getting him involved in the passing game…and let our other backs handle the more power running plays.
Our Defense vs Their Offense
I am going to be completely honest here. There is only one guy on offense that scares the crap out of me on this Saints team…RB Alvin Kamara. He is battling an injury and he is not having a great year…but he is a player that can completely takeover and kill another team with big plays. He basically is a more consistent, older Swift. The Bears have to account for him on EVERY play. I would stick a corner on him in the passing game especially in third down situations. Also, watch the screen game. QB Spencer Rattler would love to kill us with short throws and screens (he can’t be relied on to throw mid to deep often).
While Spencer had a good game last week and his stats reflect a Qb that can take care of the football. He has the tendency to get very erratic. If the Bears can pressure him consistently…the Bears could force a lot of turnovers. In fact I have a feeling CB Kyler Gordon will have a forced fumble and interception in this game. I would blitz the crap out of Rattler and force him into quick decisions…drop back a CB late to watch for the screen.
Conclusion
I think this is a very winnable game, but we never should think an opponent is easy. I don’t think this coaching staff will let the players think that either. If we contain Kamara and lead long drives ending in TDs. We should win by at least 10.
Have a great weekend!