New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears

This game is basically a playoff game tonight for these two teams. The Saints are looking up in their division at three teams the Falcons, Bucs, and Panthers and seems two are pretty assured of a playoff spot. The Saints have to win out and can not afford a loss here or the season is pretty much a lost effort. The Bears are in a bit better position but will fall two games back on Minesota and the hopes of a wild card would basically end as well. A home loss to a conference opponent on national television will be a back breaker for this squad. New Orleans comes in playing their best football after winning at home against a very tough Atlanta team where Drew Brees didn't have to win it alone. Pierre Thomas ran for over 100 yards and gave this dominant air attack some balance. On the other hand the Bears also had an impressive victory against the Jaguars and held David Garrard to just 178 yards passing. The defense which has been beaten in the air at times this year came to prove something last week and will need an even better effort against Drew Brees and his record setting passing pace. There is a big injury to Chicago's defense to hear more details and other injury and weather news call a free recording at 1-888-850-8211 but the injury to DL Dusty Devoracek who led the d-lineman in tackles will hurt the Bears up front as the Saints if they stay committed to the run should have inside success. Reggie Bush has had big games against the Bears in the past but he is not the inside runner Thomas has the ability to be. The Bears will also not have the ability to stack 8 in the box like they usually do to prevent the run with Brees sitting back there throwing all day. On the other side of the ball the Saints defense is terrible. They can't stop the run or the pass. Kyle Orton is not flashy but he moves the team down the field. He has found success in rookie TE Olsen and the short passing game opens up Devin Hester who in recent weeks has been figuring out the offense, leading the team in recieving yards 4 of the past 5 weeks. Matt Forte is proving to be just what the Monsters of the Midway love a hard nose pound and ground attack back that will give the Saints front line fits tonight. He will pound it up the middle and get his yards. With all this said I think the game is an easy winner. If your Lovie Smith your gameplan has to be run the ball and eat the clock. Drew Brees must stay on the bench and win the field and time of possesion game. If your Sean Payton you found success in running the ball last week let it continue this week. The Bears run defense has an injury so why not exploit that. All these trends point to an UNDER game. The weather will play a factor tonight as well. For a full weather update call 1-888-850-8211 for a free recording on weather , news , and injury updates. The weather is supposed to be very cold , could be snow and winds as well. Again another reason to run the ball not take chances. The one thing about Drew Brees that people are forgetting is that although he is putting up record setting numbers this year and TD's galore, he is also throwing alot of picks. I can see the Bears taking at least one back tonight off a Brees mistake. The weather, game styles, playoff atmosphere enviornement all point to an UNDER game for me. It will be close and by no means empty your bank account on this one , but I see a game being played in the high 30's low 40's just getting under the 45 number.