New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears Matchup Preview (11/01/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

The Saints may be finally getting Michael Thomas back for this game, which would be a massive boost for this offense. The team will need it as they take on a tough Bears’ defense away from home. However, if the Bears’ offense does not take a step up, then the Saints may run away with this one. It will be the Bears and Saints in Chicago this Sunday afternoon.

For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, November 1st, 2020
Time: 4:25 PM ET
Location: Soldier Field- Chicago, Illinois
TV Coverage: FOX

Saints vs. Bears Live Stream

Where can you watch Saints vs. Bears online? You can stream this game and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Saints vs. Bears Free Online Now.

Injuries:

New Orleans Saints:
Chicago Bears:

New Orleans Saints Analysis

This Saints team has found ways to win despite some pretty poor performances and loads of injuries. Michael Thomas returning to this lineup is an upgrade across the board as the $19 million a year man is the centerpiece of this passing offense. Drew Brees and Sean Payton will surely need him if they want to put up points on the stout Bears’ defense.

Without Michael Thomas there, it has been a full team effort to put up points. Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, and Deonte Harris are hardly household names; however, these have been the main wide receiving threats for Brees. Jared Cook and Alvin Kamara have both stepped up at other positions to give Brees targets. However, this Bears’ LB core is excellent, and it will be hard for Brees to rely on Kamara and Cook for outlets. What he needs is a deep threat to stretch the field and a reliable possession guy. If Thomas comes back, he could be both.

Kamara versus this speedy LB core and elite defensive line will be one matchup to watch during the game. Soldier Field is tough for an elusive speed back like Kamara since the long grass, and terrible conditions make it hard to accelerate and cut. The Saints have relied so heavily on Kamara to score points. I am not sure that I can picture a game where they are successful where he is not apart of it.

Defensively, the Saints have not been anything special. Their offense has consistently bailed them out of games and the once-promising young secondary from years ago has not aged like most would have thought. They do not need to perform superbly to stop Nick Foles and this offense, but they have to show up. This game is projected to be a defensive matchup. If they let Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, and Anthony Miller roam free and give up big plays, then the Saints lose this game.

New Orleans Saints Depth Chart

QB: Drew Brees
RB1: Alvin Kamara
RB2: Latavius Murray
WR1: Michael Thomas
WR2: Emmanuel Sanders
WR3: Tre’Quan Smith
TE: Jared Cook

Chicago Bears Analysis

This Bears team has been plagued by bad QB play for what seems like forever now. Their defense is still one of the best in the league, but it seems that the offense gets worse every year. Last week against the Rams, the defense was helpless after they watched the offense either go 3 and out or turn the ball over on drive after drive.

Nick Foles needs to have a good game against this mediocre at best secondary. Teddy Bridgewater, Justin Herbert, Matt Stafford, Derek Carr, and more have all seen tons of success against this defensive back group. Foles is blessed to have a top WR in the league like Allen Robinson and good peripheral pieces. This game all falls on his shoulders, and his team is relying on him to show up. Matt Nagy must be feeling the seat warm as he has failed to scheme this offense to any points. While the team sits at 5-2, if Foles does not warm up, the Bears have a real shot at missing the playoffs.

David Montgomery is the main man on the ground. This is not a positive note for the Bears as Montgomery has been atrocious so far this season. Averaging a pathetic 3.68 yards per carry and only one TD despite multiple goal line and red zone opportunities, Montgomery is making a case for worst starting RB in the NFL. He has seen a bit more success in the passing game, and this might be key to unlocking some production out of the backfield.

For the defense, their main job will be to stop Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. As a team, you can afford to give up the dink and dunk plays to the rest of the squad, but these two are the main threats to extend drives, make big plays, and score. Roquan Smith is going to be crucial in making sure that Kamara does not see daylight on swing passes, screens, and runs. His duties in the middle of the defense for this Bears team have never been more important.

I believe that Khalil Mack will be the difference-maker on whether the Saints see success in the air or not. Brees is not mobile, and if Mack can repeatedly get to him, then it does not matter who Brees’ targets are. This Bears’ defensive line has the ability to suffocate Brees in the pocket, and the battle in the trenches will be one to watch for Bears’ fans.

Chicago Bears Depth Chart

QB: Mitchell Trubisky
RB1: David Montgomery
RB2: Tarik Cohen
WR1: Allen Robinson
WR2: Ted Ginn
WR3: Anthony Miller
TE: Trey Burton

Betting Corner Saints -4.5

Odds:
Spread: NO -4.5
Moneyline: NO -215 | CHI +185
Over/Under: 43.5

Predictions:
Spread: CHI
Moneyline: CHI
Over/Under: Under

I am taking Chicago because offenses have trouble at Soldier Field. You mix in the slow playing grass with an elite defense, and it is just too hard for offenses to get going. I believe that Nagy will be able to scheme open Allen Robinson and David Montgomery just enough to push the Bears over for a victory. It will not be an easy game, and it will be close. However, this will turn into a defensive matchup in which I give the Bears an edge.

The Bears take this one 20-16.

Daily Fantasy Picks

Bears’ DST, at $2,800, I believe that this game will be extraordinarily defensive sided for both teams. Whenever you get a matchup like that for your DST at a sub-$3000 price point, you play it. Chicago’s DST will probably work in cash and GPP as they have a high floor and high ceiling playing at home. I am playing the Bears’ DST with confidence this week.

Darnell Mooney, at $3,500, I like Mooney just about every week as a dart throw. The man is so cheap on DraftKings and is so skilled it could be any week in which he hauls in multiple scores and 100+ yards. You are getting him for basically free, so find a GPP lineup where you need a filler at WR and put him in.

Jared Cook, at $4,400, is a good play. Whether Michael Thomas is back or not, Cook will be a target man in the red zone and on 3rd downs for Drew Brees. Jared Cook is simply a phenomenal receiving TE, and Brees takes advantage of that weekly. I think that Cook has as good of chance as any to be one of the few to score a TD in this game.