NFL GAME ODDS

New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears

In this weekends NFC Championship game the Cinderella New Orleans Saints travel to the Windy City to play the Chicago Bears. Both teams have a good chance to win this game if they play to their strengths, New Orleans offensively and Chicago defensively. The key to this game could be the home field advantage. Chicago will be cold and can be windy and the Saints are a dome team used to playing on turf. This could be a key point to this game. Bear quarterback Rex Grossman is another key as he played decently in the win over Seattle last week but if he makes bad decisions and doesn't play well he could get the hook as the starting QB next year and Chicago will be watching the Super Bowl from home. The strong defense of the Bears have to keep this game from becoming a shootout because if it does Drew Brees obviously has the advantage over Grossman. The big match up is the Saints 1st ranked offense vs. the Bears 5th ranked defense. If the Saints can stop Deuce McAllister and their good secondary plays well they will be going to Miami, but if McCallister can spur their offense it will be difficult for the Bears to match up offensively with all the weapons the Saints have.

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The bears and their 15th ranked offense have to have a decent game from Rex Grossman, 3193 yds 23 TD's. Grossman has been inconsistent all year and will be playing against a Saints secondary that was 3rd in passing defense only giving up 178.4 yards per game. Chicago wins when they rely on the run with Thomas Jones, 1210 yds 10 TD's leading the way. If Jones can pick up yards and not count on Grossman dictate the offense than they have a better chance of winning. Grossman will see a lot of man coverage and it will force him to make plays to get the ball to his primary targets. Chicago ranked 14th this year in passing and they have to play better against a good Saints secondary. In Chicago it is all about their defense. If they cause problems against the Saints offense they have the big advantage. Their run defense was ranked 6th in the league and their pass defense 11th. Defensive tackles Tank Johnson and Ian Scott have to stop McAllister and Bush from beating them on the ground. Their cornerbacks are good especially Charles Tillman who will be covering the Saints Colton. Colston had a big year as his size, 6'4" helped him against the league's smaller corners but Tillman is big, 6'1" for a corner so he should match up well. If the Bears can keep the game from becoming a shootout they have the advantage.

New Orleans is led by 2nd in MVP voting quarterback Drew Brees, 4418 yds 26 TD's. But their offense revolves are around running back Duece McAllister, 1057 yds 10 TD's, who carried the Saints to victory last week. The Bears also have to be aware of Reggie Bush, 565 yds 6 TD's, as if he gets past the front line by running or short passes, which the Saints use him for, he is dangerous. Brees' main target is rookie receiver Marques Colston, 70 rec 1038 yds 8 TD's as he has to play well and is playing against a great cornerback, Charles Tillman. If the Bears can't stop McAllister, Bush, or Coleman the Bears will be in for a long day. There is no way the Bears can match up if the game becomes a high scoring one. The Saints and their 11th ranked defense has to stop the Bears running game and make Grossman beat them through the air. If they do this they will be sitting pretty unless Grossman plays like he hasn't all year. The Saints secondary is much better than the depleted Seahawks secondary so Grossman has to play smart and not turn the ball over. The Saints have too many weapons and the Bears defense, as good as it is, will not be able to stop them. The Saints will win on the road and Cinderella will be going to the big dance in Miami.

Game Pick: Saints +2