Chicago Tribune: How many ways can the New Orleans Saints beat you?

Let me count the ways.

Starting with quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints could have a field day against a Bears defense that has failed to show up too many times this season. New Orleans’ offensive line has allowed only 10 sacks, the lowest total in the NFC and third-fewest in the NFL.

Wide receiver Lance Moore has eight touchdown catches, just four shy of the franchise record for a season. With as much desperation as the Bears will be generating, New Orleans seeks to maintain its playoff hopes with a victory. The Saints have won three of their last four games.

The Bears will need a prime-time performance to off-set the Saints’ proven playmakers. And a slippery field could provide a bit of an equalizer for the Bears, who once again will be depending on a productive Matt Forte and an efficient Kyle Orton to keep up with the Saints. The Bears will be going up against a Saints defense that has allowed just one 100-yard rusher all season.

As their record can attest, the Bears have been one of the most skittish teams in the NFL this season. Their checkered past does not engender much confidence when it comes to the likelihood of stringing several victories together.

It’s true that the Bears don’t match up well with teams that can throw the ball as efficiently as the Saints can. But if the Bears’ defense can’t slow down Drew Brees and the spectacular Saints offense, old man winter should be able to.

If this game were in the Superdome, where the Saints are 6-1, the Saints would win easily. But the Saints are 1-5 on the road, and they haven’t even played a cold-weather game yet.

Their last two games against the Bears were at Soldier Field in cold weather, and they did not fare well.

In the last game of the 2007 season, game-time temperatures were about 30 degrees, with a windchill of 24. The Bears won 33-25.

Then in the NFC championship game the previous season, the game-time temp was 28 with a windchill of 12. The Bears won 39-14.

The Saints still will score some points–their offense is too good not to. But the Bears should be able to answer–especially against a defense that is missing its top three cornerbacks, a starting safety and a starting defensive end.

…….

Here’s how the AdultFYI football pool sees tonight’s game:

Bears: Gene Ross, Steve Volponi, Karl the Birdman, Sean, Tim Case, Mastrick, Tony Batman, Robert Interlandi, Wille D., Steve Seidman, Dave F., Mike Dickinson, Mike Fattorosi, John Gray, Danny from Foxxx Modeling, Steve from Magnus, Kortni Kiss,

Saints: Billy The Crystal, Dan Davis, Jack Spade, Brian Wallace, Ryan from Jerry’s Deli; John from Adult Source Media, Jeff Mullen, Sandy Bunz