Chicago at New Orleans

The Saints had a disappointing opener while the Bears shocked the world. The New Orleans offense appeared to be in mid-season form last week but the defense that is usually their Achilles heel, was torched for 42 points. The Chicago Bears remain underrated, even after they manhandled Atlanta last week (a team that went 13-3 a year ago). Let's not forget that Chicago went 11-5 last season and won the NFC North. The Bears aren't a notably public team, because they don't have the glittering QB, and they play better on the defensive side of the ball. These types of teams often fly under the radar. Jay Cutler certainly isn't among the elite QBs in the league, but he is in the upper tier and passed for nearly 300 yards last week with three TDs. The Bears kept the Falcons out of the end zone the entire game. So, I expect them to hold serve against New Orleans. The Saints are popular because they can score, but they show that they are a team on the decline. Last year they finished 1-3 including a playoffs loss to a sub-.500 team where they were torched for 41 points. Their loss to the Packers in the opener makes them 1-4 in their last five games, allowing nearly 30 points per game in the process. I think Cutler will find a lot of success against this aging secondary that had no answer for the pass last Thursday night. The Bears have the defense to limit the Saints here, while the under-respected Chicago offense will score enough to at least stay in this one with a chance to win in the end. Chicago will again get to play the "no respect" card here for extra motivation. Take Chicago and the points.