The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ game in New Orleans on Sunday:
Rick Morrissey
Saints 21-13
Tyson Bagent gets another start at quarterback, and a sizable portion of Bears fans can’t wait until Justin Fields returns from a thumb injury. That’s how bad things are. 6-2.
Rick Telander
Saints 24-18
Bagent gets one more free start before Fields returns. If he has a great game, it makes things even more complicated for the flailing Bears and their coaching staff. Season: 4-4.
Scoop Jackson
Saints 35-14
A .500 team that happens to lead a weak division and is one of the best in the league at attacking quarterbacks and lowering their rating is going to play — at home, in their dome — with an all-out “nothin’ to lose” attitude. Not sure the Bears are going to be close to ready for that. At all. Season: 4-4.
Patrick Finley
Saints 22-18
If the Bears win, it won’t be through the air. The Saints allow 5.6 yards per pass, the third-lowest number in the NFL. Season: 6-2.
Jason Lieser
Saints 25-20
The Saints ain’t what they used to be, but they’ve still got more than the Bears on both sides of the ball and a thunderous home-field advantage. Season: 3-5.
Mark Potash
Saints 27-20
Bagent and the Bears could have an even tougher time in the Superdome than against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium. But their defense — buoyed by the addition of Montez Sweat — will give them a chance this time. Season: 3-5.