Chicago Bears: How Nagy, Foles can shock Brees and the Saints
By Ryan Heckman
2. Foles can beat this Saints defense
Once again, let’s get this out of the way: Foles will not have much time to throw. That’s a given. It’s unfortunate, given that a kid like Darnell Mooney has shown time and time again he can get behind the secondary. But, this is what the Bears’ offense is, and Foles is going to have to live with it.
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The Bears would love to be able to beat New Orleans deep, if they could, because the Saints have given up the second-most 40-plus yard completions this season (6). But, the Bears won’t have much time to get those passes completed if their line plays as they have recently.
The Saints are most vulnerable on passes under 10 yards, and that’s where Foles is going to have to live. If Nagy is smart, he will dial up a lot of quick pass plays to attack where the Saints are more apt to giving up passing yardage.
New Orleans is one of the absolute worst defenses in the league when it comes to defending tight ends, thus being poor against those shorter pass plays. This has to be a Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham game. Nagy has to get those guys on the field at the same time.
Of course, Allen Robinson being your possession wide receiver doesn’t hurt. Foles will target Robinson early and often, ideally on short, quick routes on many occasions.
If Nagy and Foles can work together to get the ball out quickly and allow Chicago’s offensive playmakers a chance to possess the football in the middle of the field, they will move the chains.
Lastly, the defense has to focus in on the two most likely involved playmakers for the Saints.