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New Orleans Saints (2) – Chicago Bears (7) : 21-9
It was not until the second half that the Saints finally got underway. In a game where the defenses dominated their opponents, New Orleans scored 14 unanswered points straddling the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth. Two drives orchestrated by Drew Brees (28/39, 265 yards and 2 TDs) which made it possible to make a final gap with harmless Bears.
The pitcher, who would be leaning towards retirement at the end of the season according to NFL Network, will therefore have (at least) one more game to play. It will be against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers who will appear in Louisiana for a meeting that promises.
The key moment: an indiscipline that costs dearly
Contained only one touchdown in the first period, the Saints are looking to increase their lead by 4 points (7-3) in the middle of the third quarter. The drive is good but New Orleans finds itself with a 4th and 3 to play in the opposing 15 yards. The equation is simple for the Bears: either it passes and it is almost certain touchdown, or Chicago resists and remains in ambush.
Unfortunately, the action is not even played since Eddie Jackson, yet author of a good match, anticipates the snap and forces the referees to throw a handkerchief penalty. The first down is given to the Saints who score as planned and take a definitive advantage.
This worst-case penalty alone symbolizes an indiscipline that has cost this defense dear. 9 fouls for 50 yards lost, each time in crucial moments.
The movie of the match
The defense has the floor in the first period. In 12 drives, the two teams do not even accumulate 300 yards between them. As you might expect, the defensive squads are strong. Drew Brees and Mitch Trubisky (19/29, 199 yards and 1 TD) are under pressure and attacks are disrupted. Result: 7 punts during the first thirty minutes (4 for the Bears and 3 for the Saints). The blows of brilliance are rare and the match is played in the trenches.
The Saints however found the fault from their second drive. An 11-yard touchdown for Michael Thomas (5 receptions, 73 yards and 1 TD) who finally finds the end-zone. The locals take the score (7-0), but do not register any more points in the first period. The fault was a missed field goal from Wil Lutz, but also a fumble from Taysom Hill when he had a ready touchdown.
BIG MAN INT#DaBears #SuperWildCard
????: #CHIvsNO on CBS / NICK / Prime Video
????: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/somlcvX71N pic.twitter.com/hdtdSbKDWJ— NFL (@NFL) January 10, 2021
Chicago does the job on defense but can’t capitalize. Reaching the in-goal seems like an insurmountable task for Mitch Trubisky and this attack. The quarterback is not helped either by calls of sometimes suspicious plays which especially favor the race. And even when the thrower perfectly finds a receiver in the end-zone, he does not catch the ball (see above). Only a meager 36-yard field goal from Cairo Santos keeps their hopes alive with a small gap at halftime (7-3).
Unfortunately, it will be short-lived. In the second half, the attack is still listless. But the defense begins to tire and New Orleans manages to take advantage of it. Two touchdowns in quick succession to take shelter permanently. In the air first with a 6-yard pass from Drew Brees to Latavius Murray (14-3). On the ground then with Alvin Kamara to finish the job for 3 yards (21-3). The gap is made and the Bears will never come back. Jimmy Graham saves the honor, but it’s too late (21-9)
The MVP: Deonte Harris
It’s not the most high-sounding name in this attack, yet it was he who put the Saints on their way to victory in this game. The pocket receiver took advantage of two regular catch on Michael Thomas to show himself (7 receptions and 83 yards) and advance his team. Whether to recover a first down or to gain yards after the reception, Drew Brees has always been able to count on Deonte Harris. Especially at the start of the match, when neither attack was able to move forward steadily.
If he lowered his foot as the match progressed, leaving Alvin Kamara (23 races, 99 yards, 1 TD + 2 receptions and 17 yards) to finish the job, he played a key role as that third option. For the rest of these playoffs, the Saints will need a player like him to relieve the duo Michael Thomas-Alvin Kamara.
The flop: the Chicago attack
Granted, the Bears faced one of the best defenses in the country. But when you only register nine points in a playoff game, it is necessarily a blemish. Apart from a huge miss from Javom Wims who had a ready-made touchdown, the Bears never seemed able to reach the in-goal. And it is not this anecdotal touchdown at the end of the match that will change the impression left by this squad.
Ground play was non-existent, despite Matt Nagy’s almost desperate insistence on the run. Mitch Trubisky for his part did not make big mistakes, but did not carry his team as one would expect from a quarterback in the playoffs. And as that was not enough, Anthony Miller was even excluded after a clash with CJ Gardner-Johnson.
The state: 385
It is the number of days which separate the last touchdown of Michael Thomas and that registered this Sunday. The receiver had not found the end zone since December 22, 2019 against the Titans, more than a year. An eternity for such a productive player. It must be said that the number 13 has lived a very complicated season, marred by injuries.
.@CantGuardMike is BACK. #ForNOLA #SuperWildCard
????: #CHIvsNO on CBS / NICK / Prime Video
????: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/somlcvX71N pic.twitter.com/3fcGRZCGiE— NFL (@NFL) January 10, 2021
Because if his statistics in 2020 are very poor with only 40 receptions for 438 yards, it is because he has only played 7 games. New Orleans had even placed him on the injured list for the last three games of the regular season. Drew Brees therefore finds his preferred target at the best of times. It brings a new dimension to this attack which will need it for the rest of these playoffs.
The following
Qualified in the playoffs thanks to a more than favorable schedule and a balanced record, the Bears have shown their shortcomings. The defense is still very high, but the attack needs to be better. The most pressing matter in Illinois will be whether the franchise wants to keep Mitch Trubisky.
For New Orleans, the first opponent on the way to the Super Bowl is dismissed. Next week, the Saints will have a whole other challenge to take up with the arrival of Tampa Bay for a Divisional Round that will look like a divisional duel.
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