(Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
CBS - Los Angeles
(CBS Chicago) — The Chicago Bears, at 8-8, may be as surprised as anyone about being in the playoffs. The Bears backed into the postseason on the final Sunday despite losing to the Green Bay Packers. The final wild card spot gives them the honor of facing the second-seeded Saints in New Orleans. Whether or not the 12-4 Saints will have all the weapons that helped them get here is another story.
The Saints had long since wrapped up a playoff spot by Week 17. They had also already won the NFC South, holding a one-game lead and the tiebreaker over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints still demolished the Carolina Panthers, 33-7, on the off chance the Bears could somehow upset the Packers and propel the Saints into the top seed. And they did it without Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray, who had been moved to the COVID-19/Reserve list after Kamara tested positive, and Michael Thomas, who was out with an ankle injury. A Chicago win would’ve given a first-round bye to New Orleans. It wasn’t to be.
The Saints edged out the Bears by a field goal in their Week 8 matchup. Nick Foles led a fourth-quarter comeback to tie up the game and force overtime. He tossed a couple of touchdown passes, including one late to Darnell Mooney to pull is team within a field goal. Foles finished the game 28-41 for 272 yards, but was also sacked five times and threw one of the worst interceptions you’re ever likely to see. ...
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