No one is satisfied with being this close to winning, including the New Orleans Saints. In a results-driven business, New Orleans still seeks to string together a succession of positive results.
After splitting two home games, the Saints (1-5) are back on the road for Sunday's game against the Bears (3-2) at Soldier Field in Chicago. Three one-score losses this season suggest the Saints are doing something right; they just have to do a little bit more in order to pick up their second win. Here are some thoughts:
1. WAKE UP
New Orleans has been outscored 65-16 in the first quarter. Additionally, each of the last four opponents has scored a touchdown on its first two offensive possessions. It's difficult to start slow every game and hope to rally to victory, and the Saints know that all too well this season. A few defensive stops early will hopefully give time for a struggling offense to find its footing, but the Saints desperately need to find a way to eliminate the self-sabotage. Part of that may be for the defense to be more aggressive from the outset. Part of it definitely is avoiding drive-sustaining defensive penalties, and forcing an early turnover never hurt the cause. Whatever it takes, keep the Bears out of the end zone and get off the field.
2. WAKE UP: PART II
The offense doesn't get off the hook on this theme; 16 points in the first quarter this season — 2.7 per game, tied for fourth fewest in the league — is putting too much stress on the defense. It's called "complementary football" for a reason, and the Saints aren't complementing each other enough. It hasn't been enough for quarterback Spencer Rattler to not turn over the ball. He has to lead the unit to touchdowns — not field goals — early enough to give the defense some margin for error. Expect the Bears and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, a former Saints head coach, to liberally send pressure to see how Rattler holds up.
3. BACKS ON TRACK
When you're facing the second-worst run defense in the league, you have to take advantage. Chicago gives up 156.4 rushing yards per game (only Miami gives up more), and after two subpar rushing games for the Saints — a combined 53 carries for 161 yards — they have a chance to unclog their run game against the Bears. Even if Alvin Kamara is limited or absent (ankle), Kendre Miller and Taysom Hill should be in heavy usage. Rattler's scrambling is a good supplement and drive extender, but the backs can hopefully do what others have done against Chicago.
4. CONTAIN CALEB
There no longer is such a thing as an immobile NFL quarterback these days, so New Orleans' defense knows what's coming. Chicago's second-year quarterback Caleb Williams has noticeably grown into the role, completing 58 of 94 passes (62 percent) for 759 yards and six touchdowns, with one interception, during the Bears' three-game winning streak. Chicago first-year coach Ben Johnson doesn't shy away from a little sleight-of-hand and trickery, so the young members of the Saints' secondary — cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley, and safety Jonas Sanker – have to be on guard and stay true to the keys they're seeing. Williams doesn't scramble much for yards (22 carries for 50 yards in his last four games), but he can buy time. New Orleans needs to get him on the ground before he can buy big. Edge rusher Carl Granderson basically has had two sacks taken away in the last two games, so this would be a good time for him to reclaim some of what was taken.
5. HANDLE THE CHAOS
Chicago has won three straight and there's a ton of enthusiasm. New Orleans has to handle the adversity – and the noise – that will arise Sunday. Road wins are the hardest wins.
