The Bears are officially the Rodney Dangerfield of football. No matter how well we play, no matter how much we come back we still can't find that respect. This morning the radio was all a buzz of how we were would be the worst NFC Championship team. Nobody cares that the two facets of our game, our QB and pass defense, that everybody has harped on for the past month played very well. It just matters that we ain't the Saints and the 'Team of Destiny' will steamroll us.
I would have to disagree with that statement. Sure, the Saints are a potentially powerhouse offensive team, but they can be stopped. Did nobody see the Redskins game? I guess when it comes to everybody but the Bears we can just forgive and forget when they screw up.
The Saints have two glaring weaknesses and both play into the hands of what the Bears can do.
First, the Saints defense is completely in love with the blitz. That love has left them open to big plays on the ground. It just so happens we have one of the best running tandems in the league.
Secondly, the Saints cannot guard down field. They consistently give up the long ball. They have given up 16 pass plays of 40 yards or more, that is more than any other team in the NFL. They have given up 26 passing TDs, that is tied for 30th in the league.
Throw in what could be a sloppy field and some nasty weather and it looks to me like a last second FG is going to win this one as well.
I don't mind being the underdog, in fact I like it, but I don't like to see the Bears just thrown under the bus, because the Saints can throw the ball around and would make for a great heartfelt story.