After a strong second half surge, Saints defeat Bears 21-9

New Orleans started slow but finished the game strong against Chicago.

Drew Brees threw for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the New Orleans Saints past the Chicago Bears 21-9 in their NFC wild-card game Sunday afternoon after losing their last two post season games in 2020 and 2019.

Brees completed his 15th playoff game with the Saints, winning, and giving hope to the fans in New Orleans that his final game with the team is still yet to be played.

He completed his first touchdown to the returning Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas to open a 7-0 lead. Thomas had no touchdowns this season until today. Thomas also added five catches for 73 yards.

The Bears defense bent but did not break through the first half, holding the Saints to a 7-3 lead, but started to crack in the second half when Latavius Murray caught a 6-yard touchdown from Brees.

Alvin Kamara had a great day with 116 total yards and  was effective when called upon, including a 4th quarter touchdown to extend the lead to 21-3. Deonte Harris had a breakout game with 7 catches and 83 yards.

He and Brees developed a rapport early in the game and the two never detached. Brees and the Saints never looked back and defeated the Bears 21-9.

Brees took on Bears 4th year, former number one overall pick, Mitch Trubisky, who had 199 passing yards with one touchdown in a last second throw.

He was awful on third down plays going 1-for-10 on the day, being harassed by the Saints dominant defense all afternoon. Chicago didn’t convert a 3rd down play until the final two minutes of regulation.

Trubisky ends his season leaving doubt if he will be the guy leading the team next season.

SIDE NOTES:

Saints nickel safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was up to his usual antics, jawing with opposing Bears receiver Anthony Miller. Whatever he said upset Miller, causing him to retaliate and punch Gardner-Johnson.

Miller was then ejected for the rest of the game. He also caused a similar result against the Bears during the regular season matchup with another Bears Javon Wims, who was ejected during that game.

Saints Kicker Will Lutz missed another field goal in the game, leaving him 4 for his last 9 attempts. The team will now need to evaluate this position going forward. What was once a minor issue, has now become a problem worth a competition.

Taysom Hill sustained an elbow injury early in the game, but came back in quickly after. He looks fine, but it should be watched. He also lost a fumble on his lone pass attempt of the game.

NEXT WEEK:

The New Orleans Saints will host Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Bucs next weekend, matching the 40+ year old quarterbacks for the third and final time this season. This is also the probable last meeting between the two, as Brees is expected to retire following the end of the season.

The possibility of Brees getting his second Super Bowl may have to go through Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes. This will be the ultimate test for Brees as he finishes his career.