3 things to know about the New Orleans Saints
After sneaking into the playoffs despite a three-possession loss to the Green Bay Packers Sunday, the Bears have a rematch with the New Orleans Saints lined up.
The No. 7-seeded Bears (8-8) travel to New Orleans to face the No. 2-seeded Saints (12-4) at 3:40 p.m. Sunday at the Superdome. On Nov. 1 the Saints beat the Bears 26-23 in overtime on a Wil Lutz field goal. The Bears started Nick Foles, and Mitch Trubisky entered the game for one play before injuring his shoulder.
Much has changed since then. Here are three things to know about the Saints:
Kamara's status a hot topic
The Saints placed running back Alvin Kamara on the reserve/COVID-19 list Jan. 1. He sat out the Saints' Week 17 win over the Carolina Panthers. Thanks to the NFL scheduling the Wild Card game Sunday rather than Saturday, Kamara has a chance to play, but it's no guarantee.
Sunday is the earliest day Kamara could return. Per the NFL's COVID-19 protocols, a positive test demands a 10-day window before return. Kamara would have to remain asymptomatic and obtain medical clearance to play. That would also mean missing the entire week of practice.
Kamara had 1,688 yards and 21 touchdowns this season.
Drew Brees is heating up
In his third start back from a rib injury and a punctured lung, Saints quarterback Drew Brees looked like the Brees of old. He threw for 201 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions last Sunday while completing 22-of-32 passes. It was Brees' most efficient game since the injury.
With Brees sidelined four weeks the Saints were 3-1 with Taysom Hill starting at quarterback. The Saints are a more dangerous team with Brees and they can pick and choose their spots with Hill, a jack-of-all-trades player.
Brees threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns when the Saints beat the Bears at Soldier Field. The Bears sacked him once with only two additional QB hits. Hill caught a TD pass from Brees in that game.
Saints defense rolling
Don't let the final scores fool you. Yes, the Saints gave up 32 points in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Dec. 20. Yes, they allowed 33 points in a win over Minnesota on Christmas Day. But this defense is one of the best in football.
The Saints rank fourth in yards against per game (310.9 yards), fourth in rushing yards against per game (93.9 yards) and fifth in passing yards against per game (217). They've allowed only 21.1 points per game, tied for fifth.
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore is heading to his third Pro Bowl in four seasons, and defensive end Cameron Jordan will be there for the sixth time overall and the fourth year in a row.
The Saints had five interceptions against Carolina last Sunday.