Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints 1/10/21 - NFL Picks & Predictions

By: Lance |

Last Updated: 01/04/2021 at 10:05 PM ET

The NFL post season has finally arrived and in the NFC, we have a Bears team that snuck in the playoffs after an up-and-down season. Chicago started their season 5-1 before losing six straight, then finishing off the year by winning three of their last four. They did fall in the regular-season finale to the #1 seeded Packers to finish 8-8 on the year. 

A quarterback controversy plagued the Bears this season with Nick Foles coming in to relieve Mitch Trubisky in Week 3, but after an injury, Trubisky has won the job back and gotten the Bears offense looking solid over the last five weeks. Although the defenses they’ve played have been some of the worst in the NFL, Trubisky has thrown for 200 yards in their final six games. Ending teh year with 2,055 yards and 16 touchdowns to 8 interceptions.

One thing the Bears have changed with Trubisky is gone to the use of short passes and getting him outside of the pocket in the attempt to negate one of the worst offensive lines in football. They’ve also found a solid running back in David Montgomery, he rushed for 1,070 yards and 8 touchdowns this season and averaged just under 100 yards per game over the last six.

It hasn’t been as up and down of a year for the Saints, who outside of a loss to the Raiders early in the year and a road loss to the Eagles have won every game they were supposed to. New Orleans finished 12-4 on the year, the other two losses coming to the Chiefs and Packers, the one seed from each conference. 

After dealing with an injury in midseason, veteran quarterback Drew Brees will be back and healthy for another playoff run. He has had his struggles throwing the ball downfield and with injuries to key skill players but managed to end the season completing 70.5% of his passes for 2,942 yards and 24 touchdowns. Of course, taking care of the ball and throwing just 6 interceptions.

With injuries to Michael Thomas and other wide receivers, New Orleans has looked to all-pro running back Alvin Kamara to carry the load offensively. He totaled 1,688 total yards in rushing and receiving yards and had 25 total touchdowns. Kamara is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL and with the check down heavy style of Drew Breese and the Saints, will no doubt get a ton of touches in this game.

Defensively, these will be some of the best defenses the NFL has to offer. The Saints come in allowing just 310.9 yards and 21.1 points per game, both ranking top-5 in the NFL this season. Chicago has dealt with injuries on that side of the ball but the Chicago defense led by Khalil Mack has been solid this season. The Bears are allowing 344.9 points and 23.1 points per game. 

New Orleans comes into this game as nearly a double-digit favorite depending on where you’re betting and that is just too many points for a hungry Bears team. The Bears, despite making the playoffs, are in between running it back with the same team and rebuilding meaning Trubisky, and the coaching staff could be playing for their job. Chicago probably isn’t going to win this game, but without the normal Superdome crowd are able to keep it close. Final score prediction, Saints win but Bears cover ATS 28-24.

Download the Picks and Parlays Mobile App

Get A free VIP Pick Daily!