Bears 26, Saints 14: Bears improve to 4-2, avoid trap in sloppy win

CHICAGO — It wasn’t the prettiest day of football at Soldier Field. But the Bears avoided falling into a trap against the one-win New Orleans Saints.

Quarterback Caleb Williams wasn’t at his sharpest, completing just 15 of his 26 attempts for 176 yards. He was intercepted in the first quarter. Williams and center Drew Dalman also struggled at the snap, putting the ball in harm’s way three times.

D’Andre Swift eclipsed 100 yards (124) on the ground for the second straight week – just his third time in a Bears uniform. Kyle Monangai added 81 on 13 carries.

But the story on Sunday was the Bears’ defense and their continued effort to take the ball away. Montez Sweat stripped Saints QB Spencer Rattler, and Nahshon Wright, Kevin Byard and Tremaine Edmunds all came away with interceptions.

It’s the Bears’ third performance in their last four games with four takeaways. Sweat’s strip-sack marked the fourth straight game the Bears’ defense has recorded a takeaway on their first drive. It’s the first time a team has done that since the Los Angeles Rams did so in 2017. It’s the first time the Bears have done it since 1987.

Bears win, 26-14.

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Adam Jahns

Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen got his revenge win against his former team. Allen’s defense delivered four more takeaways. Cornerback Nahshon Wright, safety Kevin Byard III and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds all had interceptions. Defensive end Montez Sweat also had his best game so far this season. It included a sack and strip of Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t have his best day but the Bears didn’t need it from him on Sunday. Allen’s defense was relentless and sacked Rattler four times, while running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai combined for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. It was the type of game that would make Lovie Smith’s Bears proud.

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Adam Hoge

Hey, sometimes you need to win on the ground. The Bears had 222 rushing yards on 40 rushing attempts! The Saints finished with just 44 rushing yards. That will work, especially when you also take the ball away four times. It wasn’t pretty, but the Bears have won four in a row.

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Mark Carman

These are the times to remember. 0-2 to 4-2 never felt so good. The defense starting to come together feels even better as Dennis Allen seems to be pushing the right buttons and Tremaine Edmunds has never looked better in a Bears uniform.

Add in an evolving run game that helps control the clock and control the inconsistencies of the passing game. Kyle Monangai had his biggest day. D’Andre Swift has been the offensive MVP. There is a lot to clean up before Baltimore, but it’s good to be doing that after another win. Trust in Ben.

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Patrick Norton

There’s nothing wrong with winning ugly in the NFL. And suddenly, the Bears are right where they were through seven weeks last season: 4-2.

The rushing attack has been the real strength of this offense since the bye week, which shouldn’t come as a shock with Ben Johnson behind the playsheet. But the emergence of Kyle Monangai as a legitimate “hit the hole” back is quite the revelation for this offense.

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Greg Braggs Jr.

While it wasn’t pretty, the passing game was downright ugly. The Bears have found an IDENTITY. And that is a physical brand of football! The Bears’ defense had four turnovers, extending their streak of 3 or more in their 4th straight game. But it was the hitting on that side of the ball all day that impressed me.

And on offense, they have officially found a run game. 200 yards on the ground by Swift and Monongai with an offensive line that paved the way all day. They have found their best 5 on the OLine with Theo Benedet. But it’s everyone getting involved in the blocking, including the TEs and WRs that deserve credit as well.

Ben Johnson came from Detroit and is starting to bring their brand of football. Physical and tough!

Four wins in a row for the first time since 2018! Enjoy it, Bears fans! One game at a time!