The Bears head into Week 7 looking for their 4th straight victory. Their opponent, the New Orleans Saints, sit at 1-5 on the season. The contest will mark Chicago’s first home game in nearly a month. It will provide more data to decipher whether or not last week’s post-bye bump in both offensive and defensive rushing efficiency is here to last. With quarterback Caleb Williams now on pace to become Chicago’s first 4,000 yard passer in history, we will see what he is able to do against a poor secondary in New Orleans’.
This is Dennis Allen revenge week. The new Bears defensive coordinator served and the Saints head coach from 2022-2024, until he was fired 9 weeks into the season last year. His defense in Chicago ranks 2nd in takeaways this season as he looks to shut down his former team.
Additionally, we have some interesting Caleb Williams-Spencer Rattler rivalry action here dating back to college. Rattler, who is in the midst of his first season starting at quarterback for the Saints, was the Heisman favorite heading into the 2021 college football season for his Oklahoma Sooners. After a poor start in the Red River Rivalry game, his freshman backup-none other than Caleb Williams-was placed into action to replace Rattler. Entering halfway through the second quarter trailing 35-17, Williams went on to lead a historic comeback victory for the Sooners, 55-48. He started the rest of the season and went on to win his own Heisman a couple years later. This game definitely means a little extra to Rattler.
Keys to the Game
Bears
- Don’t Shoot Yourself in the Foot
The most effective thing the Bears can do on Sunday is avoid sloppy mistakes. As long as they play relatively clean, this game shouldn’t be too interesting. At 1-5, the only win New Orleans has to its name this year came on the back of an 86 yard fumble recovery touchdown and an 87 yard Rasheed Shaheed touchdown catch. The 2025 Saints need crazy things to happen to come out victorious. As long as Chicago is able to avoid killing itself with penalties, turnovers, or both, not much else should matter.
- Have a Good Passing Day
If the Bears win this Sunday, I expect it to be largely due to a solid game out of Caleb Williams and the passing game. Even after last week’s impressive performance on the ground with D’Andre Swift, I’m going to need to see that kind of production multiple times before I come to expect it. Additionally, the stregth of this Saints team is its abililty to stop the run, having allowed the 7th-least yards per carry and only 3 rushing touchdowns all year.
Most of the Bears’ damage will need to come through the air. While its run-stopping is superb, Williams will be targeting a defense that has also allowed the 2nd-most passing touchdowns this season (14). He should be able to find success.
Saints
- Win the Turnover Battle
With the state of both teams heading into this game, the Saints need something to tip the scales in their favor. Winning the turnover battle is the easiest way to flip a game on it head, and that’s exactly what the Saints need to do. A significant reason why the Bears find themselves with 3 straight wins under their belt is because of the way they have been protecting the ball while also creating crooked amounts of turnovers on defense. If the Saints can take that strength and make it a weakness for Chicago, they might be able to sneak out of Soldier Field with a win.
- Set Rattler Loose
At 1-5, the Saints have nothing to lose in a road matchup against a surging young team. Spencer Rattler has talent; New Orleans might as well set him loose and see what happens. Though it has gotten healthier, the Bears secondary has generally struggled this season, still allowing the 3rd-most net yards per pass attempt. They have also surrendered the 3rd-most passing touchdowns. For their best chance at winning, the Saints need to let Rattler be aggressive and fish for another one of those 80-yard Rasheed Shaheed touchdowns.