The New Orleans Saints escape with a close win over the Chicago Bears. Despite forcing five turnovers, the game still came down to the wire. Both offenses put up 14 points in the first half but slowed down in the second half. New Orleans was able to make enough plays in the last two quarters to come away with a victory.
Paulson Adebo and Taysom Hill were the stars from this week’s performance. Each player jumped off of the screen with impactful plays.
Here are the studs and duds from the Saints’ Week 9 victory.
STUD | Paulson Adebo
Adebo has his second big game in a row, and this time it should earn him NFC defensive player of the week. He recorded an interception that led to the Saints first touchdown. He followed that up in the second half with two more turnovers. He forced and recovered a fumble on the Bears’ first possession in the third quarter. This put the Saints in field goal range immediately. He followed that up with another interception late in the game, but that didn’t lead to any points
DUD | Blake Grupe
Despite Grupe making a 55 yard field goal, he falls in the dud section due to his late miss in the 4th quarter. The kick would have given the Saints a two score lead with a little over two minutes left in the game. That likely would have put the game away. This was reminiscent of the Green Bay Packers game from earlier this season. This time the Saints forced a turnover that bailed Grupe out.
STUD | Taysom Hill
Hill entered historic company this week with the 10th receiving touchdown of his career. Hill is the first player with 10 rushing, passing and receiving touchdowns in a career since Frank Gifford. The Saints once again featured Taysom Hill heavily in the red zone. Once again, the decision paid off. Hill threw a touchdown to Juwan Johnson and caught a touchdown from Derek Carr.
DUD | Saints' quarterback contain
Tyson Bagent’s legs were the Bears best source of offense in the first half. The Saints had good coverage downfield, but they couldn’t stop Bagent when he began scrambling. Bagent had six carries for 60 yards, none on designed runs. This was less of a factor, but it is enough to keep the concerns about the Saints first half defensive woes alive
STUD | Turnover battle
The Saints forced five turnovers against the Bears and the majority of them were impactful. Paulson Adebo was responsible for three, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Marcus Maye came up with an interception of his own. Demario Davis then put the game away with a strip sack before the two minute warning.
