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The New Orleans Saints cruised by means of to the Divisional Spherical after Drew Brees impressed a 21-9 victory over the Chicago Bears within the Wild Card spherical.
Brees fuelled the second-seeded Saints with two touchdowns because the Saints made gentle work of Mitch Trubisky and the Bears in New Orleans on Sunday.
Saints star Brees was 28-of-39 passing for 265 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks, whereas Bears counterpart Trubisky completed 19 of 29 for 199 yards, one TD and no interceptions.
The Saints stormed out of the blocks towards the seventh-seeded Bears within the NFC conflict – an 11-yard landing cross from Brees to Michael Thomas on the second possession setting the tone.
It was Thomas’ first landing reception of the season amid a 2020 marketing campaign ravaged by accidents, with an ankle downside sidelining the receiver for the previous three weeks.
A 36-yard subject aim from Cairo Santos diminished the deficit for the Bears, who trailed 7-3 at half-time on the Mercedes-Benz Superdome the place Chicago had been making simply their second playoff look up to now 10 seasons.
Brees weaved his magic once more as he related with Latavius Murray on a six-yard cross to maneuver the Saints 14-3 clear with simply over 4 minutes remaining within the third quarter.
Alvin Kamara’s quick speeding TD lower than 9 minutes from the top put the end result past doubt, whereas the Bears lastly entered the endzone when Trubisky threw a 19-yard cross to Jimmy Graham on the demise.
Turning level – Saints protection
It was a dominant show from New Orleans’ defensive unit at dwelling to the Bears.
Whereas sack chief Trey Hendrickson missed the sport as a result of harm, defensive sort out Sheldon Rankins stepped up and wreaked havoc – recording one sack, whereas C.J. Gardner-Johnson tallied eight complete tackles.
Chicago’s trigger was not helped by Anthony Miller’s ejection within the third quarter after the wideout shoved Gardner-Johnson.
Brees flexes muscle groups
The veteran quarterback grew to become the sixth participant in NFL historical past with 35-plus passing touchdowns within the playoffs, per NFL Analysis. Brees joins Tom Brady (75), Joe Montana (45), Brett Favre (44), Peyton Manning (40) and Aaron Rodgers (40).
What’s subsequent?
Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers await the Saints in a blockbuster Divisional Spherical showdown. It will likely be the primary playoff sport since no less than 1950 between the highest two gamers in profession passing touchdowns.
After a second Wild Card loss in three years, questions once more can be requested of quarterback Trubisky – who is not any assure to return to Chicago – and the Bears heading into the offseason.
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