The Chicago Bears, revitalized by quarterback Caleb Williams’s crunch-time heroics and kicker Jake Moody’s dramatic game-winners, are on a three-game winning streak as they prepare to host the struggling New Orleans Saints. This Week 7 matchup brings intriguing storylines, from coaching reunions to a renewed sense of hope for Bears fans, a stark contrast to past late-game heartbreaks.
The Chicago Bears are riding a wave of momentum into their Week 7 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. After back-to-back thrilling 25-24 victories over the Raiders and Commanders, the Bears (3-2) have shown a newfound ability to close out games in dramatic fashion. This sudden surge is a stark contrast to their struggles in previous seasons, particularly a memorable defeat against the Commanders a year prior.
At the heart of this resurgence is rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who has demonstrated exceptional poise with the game on the line. In Las Vegas, he orchestrated an 11-play, 69-yard touchdown drive to secure a victory. Just two weeks later, against the Commanders, Williams led a decisive nine-play, 36-yard drive that culminated in the game-winning field goal. Bears head coach Ben Johnson praised his young quarterback, noting, “He’s done a heck of a job just controlling his emotions in those situations. It seems like he really just comes to life and he meets that moment based on that, is who he is and who he has always been,” according to Field Level Media.
Kicking Heroics: The Emergence of Jake Moody
Another key figure in Chicago’s recent success is kicker Jake Moody. Elevated from the practice squad just hours before the Commanders game due to Cairo Santos’ injury, Moody stepped up in a major way. He kicked the game-winning 38-yard field goal as time expired, sealing the Bears’ prime-time victory. Moody’s journey has been one of redemption; he was cut by the San Francisco 49ers after missing two field goals in Week 1 of the 2023 season. His performance against the Commanders, including kicks from 47, 48, and 41 yards earlier in the game, underscored his belief in himself. “I got here not too long ago,” Moody said after the game. “But for everybody to embrace me and take me in as one of their own is an amazing feeling,” as reported by the Associated Press.
A History of Turnovers and Redemption
The Bears’ transformation is particularly poignant when viewed against the backdrop of their previous season. A year ago, their game against Washington ended in what Bears fans dubbed the “Fail Mary” – a 52-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to Noah Brown that sent Chicago into a 10-game losing streak. This year, the tables have turned. The Bears now lead the NFL with an average of 2.4 takeaways per game, forcing three crucial turnovers against the Commanders. These takeaways directly contributed to points, with an interception leading to a field goal and two fumbles setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Williams and the game-winning drive. This disciplined defensive play under first-year defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has been pivotal.
The Saints, in contrast, have struggled with late-game situations, registering a 1-5 record. While they’ve only turned the ball over four times this season, among the fewest in the league, they’ve been unable to capitalize on opportunities to tie or take the lead in the fourth quarter of several one-score losses. New Orleans first-year head coach Kellen Moore acknowledges the issue, stating, “We acknowledge that we’re right there. It starts with having opportunities to win games, then you have to take advantage of those opportunities. We’ve got to keep growing,” according to Field Level Media. Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler noted, “We’ve got to be on our ‘A’ game protecting the ball.”
Intriguing Connections and Matchups
This Week 7 game is rife with interesting storylines beyond the Bears’ winning streak:
- Coaching Reunion: Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen will face his former team, the Saints, where he spent 11.5 seasons as an assistant and head coach. His insights could provide a strategic advantage for Chicago. Coach Johnson credits Allen as a “godsend,” helping him navigate his first season as head coach.
- Quarterback Rivalry Renewed: Caleb Williams and Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler have a storied college history. Williams famously replaced Rattler at Oklahoma in 2021, leading the Sooners to a comeback victory against Texas and eventually taking over the starting role. Both were Heisman Trophy winners in college and top draft picks, with Williams as the No. 1 overall pick in 2024 and Rattler a fifth-round selection.
- D’Andre Swift’s Impact: Running back D’Andre Swift has been a revelation for the Bears, particularly in the Commanders game where he rushed for a season-high 108 yards on 14 carries and added 67 receiving yards, including a highlight-reel 55-yard touchdown catch and run.
Week 7 Game Details and Historical Context
The Bears will host the Saints at Soldier Field on Sunday, October 19, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 PM CDT. The game will be broadcast on FOX, with radio coverage on ESPN Chicago (English) and WIVV (Español), as detailed on the Chicago Bears official website.
Historically, the series between the Bears and Saints has been closely contested. The Bears currently hold a slight edge, leading the all-time series 13-12. The last meeting between the two teams was on September 18, 2011, when the Saints defeated the Bears 30-13 at the Superdome. Of their 25 matchups, 13 have been decided by a touchdown or less, indicating a history of close contests. The Saints will be looking to even the series record this Sunday. The Bears have won three consecutive road games for the first time since 2020 and are aiming for their first four-game winning streak since the 2018 NFC North championship season, as highlighted by NFL.com team statistics.
Bears’ Injury Report and Looking Ahead
The Bears are managing a few injuries heading into Week 7. Wide receiver DJ Moore (hip/groin) was back in Chicago after precautionary medical attention and is day-to-day. Linebacker Noah Sewell (concussion) was also out. For the Saints, running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) is likely to be available, while cornerback Isaac Yiadom (hamstring) has missed the last two games. Receiver Chris Olave (hip) and cornerback Alontae Taylor (knee) were limited in practice.
With Caleb Williams finding his rhythm and the defense creating turnovers, the Bears are building significant momentum. This Week 7 clash against the struggling Saints offers Chicago a prime opportunity to extend their winning streak and continue their ascent in the NFC standings.
