NFL Week 9 Game Recap: New Orleans Saints 24, Chicago Bears 17

The Chicago Bears and undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent started the game hot, driving down the field and capping off their scripted drive with a touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet. Chicago managed to pull ahead 14-7 with another touchdown pass to Kmet, but three interceptions and a fumble from Bagent put this game out of reach in the end.

The Saints forced five turnovers and Bears kicker Cairo Santos missed a 40-yard field goal, and yet, New Orleans had to scrap and claw to win a 24-17 score game at home against the 2-7 Chicago Bears.

Offensive spotlight: Bears tight end Cole Kmet may have made the highlight grab of his NFL career, reaching out for a touchdown grab over the outstretched hands of Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu. Kmet went on to score again and finished with six receptions for 55 yards, including a key third-down conversion where he split two defenders and carried some leg tackles a few yards to keep a drive alive. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney had his best outing of the season, with 82 yards on five receptions. He forced several missed tackles along the way and racked up yards after the catch.

The Saints' offense again struggled to consistently move the ball, but jack-of-all-trades Taysom Hill provided key sparks throughout the game, putting up a stat line only he is capable of in any given week. Hill threw a touchdown pass, had 11 carries for 52 yards and hauled in four receptions for 13 yards and another touchdown.

Defensive spotlight: The Bears' defense held New Orleans in check for much of the afternoon, playing without linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Jaquan Brisker. The Saints averaged just 4.9 yards per play and scored 24 total points despite generating five turnovers on defense. Chicago’s linebackers combined for four tackles for loss or no gain and six more defensive stops, keeping everything in front of them with Derek Carr checking it down.

Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo had two interceptions and recovered a fumble, with his picks coming on Bagent throws that were either late, lacked velocity or both. Adebo was in the hip pocket and jumped ahead of the receiver on both throws, demonstrating quality playmaking ability and not just getting lucky with a tipped pass falling into his lap. Safety Marcus Maye also had an interception, and veteran leaders Cam Jordan and Demario Davis each notched a sack.

Rookie spotlight: Bears rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent had some good mixed in with a lot of bad. Bagent tallied 220 yards passing on 30 attempts (7.3 yards per attempt) and tacked on 70 rushing yards on eight scrambles. He converted a key third down in the red zone on a 12-yard scramble that ended with a dive for the sticks.

Saints rookie running back Kendre Miller continues to work his way into more touches and made the most of them this week with a 31-yard reception down the left sideline, the biggest play of the game for New Orleans.

Box Score

Passing

Rushing

Receiving