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Saints haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 49 consecutive games

By John DeShazier | Senior Writer - NewOrleansSaints.com

The best way to frame it is, it's a grown-man thing.

Defensively, the New Orleans Saints simply will not allow a breakout running day, from a team or individual.

Proof of the former: After holding Carolina to 37 rushing yards (on 14 attempts) in Sunday's 27-24 victory, New Orleans (4-2) is limiting opponents to 89.7 rushing yards per game, fourth-fewest in the league this season entering Sunday's game against the Bears (5-2) at Soldier Field in Chicago. And that falls in line with New Orleans holding teams to 93.9 rushing yards per game last year, and 80.2 in 2018.

Proof of the latter: The Saints have not allowed a 100-yard runner in 49 consecutive games, a streak that dates to Washington's Samaje Perine gaining 117 on Nov. 19, 2017.

Grown-man stuff.

"We take pride in that, especially if you're an interior guy," defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said. "Rushing the passer is great, I love to do that with the best of them.

Full Story - NewOrleansSaints.com

By BtBoylan | SI

The New Orleans Saints (4-2), riding a three-game win streak, travel to Soldier Field to battle the Chicago Bears (5-2) on Sunday afternoon. These two teams met last season at Soldier Field but with two different starting QBs to take the field this weekend.

The Teddy Bridgewater led Saints defeated Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears 36-25 in Week 7 last season. With slightly different personnel and circumstances than a season ago, there are three X-factors for the Saints for their 2020 matchup with the Bears.

OFFENSIVE X-FACTOR: WR MARQUEZ CALLAWAY

Callaway stepped up in a big way for the Saints in Week 7, hauling in 8 receptions for 75 yards while the team was without their top 2 WRs in Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (COVID-19 List). With both the fore-mentioned wideout's status in question for Week 8, the Saints could rely heavily on Callaway for the second consecutive week.

While Sean Payton is known for his success in finding diamonds in the rough, particularly in UDFAs, rarely does one shine as bright as Callaway did in his first two weeks as a prominent part of the game-plan. Over the past two games, the former Tennessee Volunteers WR has hauled in 12 receptions for 109 yards but has yet to find the end zone.

Full Story - SI

By Scott Prather | KPEL - ESPN 1420

Wednesday injury reports, the first of a Sunday game week for NFL teams, often give a glimpse into what the lineup could look like Sunday.

If a player is able to practice on a limited basis, they're trending in the right direction, barring a setback. If they can't practice, it's worth following on the next few days of injury reports.

The first injury report of the week for New Orleans and Chicago was released today, and it has several Pro Bowlers on the list.

All-Pro Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (ankle, hamstring) did not practice, while Pro Bowl starting left tackle Terron Armstead was able get on the field on a limited basis.

Full Story - KPEL

By Bob Rose | SI

The 4-2 New Orleans Saints trek north to the Windy City this Sunday to take on the 5-2 Chicago Bears. New Orleans is coming off a 27-24 home win over the Carolina Panthers, their third consecutive victory, while the Bears are looking to rebound from a 24-10 loss on the road to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Saints own the league's 7th ranked defense in total yardage, allowing 328 yards per game, but the 29 points per game against them ranks 24th. More concerning is the defense's inability to get stops on 3rd down or keep opponents out of the end zone in the red zone.

New Orleans is 29th in 3rd down defense, letting opposing offenses convert over 50% of their opportunities. They're worst in the league when an opposing offense gets inside their 20-yard line - allowing a touchdown on over 86% of the time.

The Saints have created only one turnover in the past four contests after gathering three takeaways in the season opener.

Full Story - SI

By John Sigler | Saintswire

Two big names in NFL broadcasting will be in the booth for Week 8’s matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman of FOX Sports, per John Hendrix of SI.com. As always, Erin Andrews is expected to complete the “America’s Game of the Week” crew while reporting from the sidelines.

Buck will be coming off of a lengthy seven-game World Series stint, but the veteran play-by-play man has already fit in a Thursday night Giants-Eagles game into his schedule last week. He’ll have a few days to rest between Wednesday’s Dodgers-Rays championship game before getting on the mic for this Saints kickoff. ...

Full Story - Saintswire - USA Today