2019 ScheduleAll times ET

2019 Schedule
6-1, 1st in NFC South
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
4hMike Triplett

Brees set to resume practice, eyes Week 8 return

Drew Brees said he plans to return to practice this week and hopes to be able to play as early as next Sunday's Week 8 home date with the Arizona Cardinals.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

DT Sheldon Rankins on the confidence that the Saints' defense already had in itself even before it started this remarkable run of dominance during Drew Brees' absence: "We take a backseat to nobody. We love our Hall of Fame quarterback, we love Teddy, we love Mike T., we love Alvin and all those guys. But at the end of the day, we're always gonna put it on our shoulders."

Payton shuts down broadcast call of Brees' return (0:24)
5h
Hasselbeck: Saints can sit Brees for another week (1:54)
6h

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

This was supposed to be a lot harder for the Saints, coming into Chicago without Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Jared Cook. Instead, they played their best game yet in a 36-25 rout that wasn't nearly as close as the final score suggests, thanks to two late Chicago touchdowns. Chicago gained only 225 total yards on offense as the Saints' defenders were the Monsters of the Midway in this one.

Murray hits pay dirt twice in Saints' rout of Bears (0:27)
6h
Bridgewater connects with Hill for six (0:19)
7h

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Veteran Saints RB Latavius Murray doing a more-than- admirable job in Alvin Kamara's absence. He's now up to 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries — plus five catches for 31 yards.

Ginn's big play leads to Murray's TD (0:42)
7h

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Some Taysom trickery for the Saints for a 23-yard gain on third-and-1. Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater handed the ball off to FB Zach Line, who then pitched it to Hill for a wide-open run around the corner. Hill also finished the drive with a 4-yard TD catch from Bridgewater and a 26-10 lead the Bears will have trouble catching.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

The Saints offense struck quickly in the second half with four big-time plays in a row: A 3-yard scramble by Teddy Bridgewater on third-and-3; a 17-yard run by Latavius Murray; a 45-yard pass from Bridgewater to Ted Ginn Jr.; and a 3-yard TD run by Murray. If the Saints offense is going to start playing this well in the second half in addition to their dominance on defense and special teams, they could run away with this game.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

The Saints offense struck quickly in the second half with four big-time plays in a row: A 4-yard scramble by Teddy Bridgewater on third-and-3; a 17-yard run by Latavius Murray; a 45-yard pass from Bridgewater to Ted Ginn Jr.; and a 3-yard TD run by Murray. If the Saints offense is going to start playing this well in the second half in addition to their dominance on defense and special teams, they could run away with this game.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

The Saints' defense continues to thrive during Drew Brees' absence. They are leading the Bears 12-10 at halftime, with Chicago's only TD coming on a kickoff return. Chicago has just 81 total yards and 11 rushing yards, while going 1-of-7 on third downs. Saints DE Cameron Jordan continues to be a driving force with his sixth sack of the season. S Vonn Bell forced and recovered a fumble for the second time this year. And CB Marshon Lattimore is doing another nice job against WR Allen Robinson.

Saints punt block results in safety (0:40)
8h

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Saints kicker Wil Lutz just broke Rian Lindell's NFL record by making his 35th consecutive field goal on the road. Lutz has been awesome for the Saints -- but especially big during this stretch without Drew Brees where they're relying so heavily on defense and special teams. They lead the Bears 12-10 midway through the second quarter. ... (UPDATE: Just a few minutes later, Lutz's streak came to an end when he missed a 42-yard attempt wide right).

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Just as everyone expected, the Saints-Bears game has been a battle of defense and special teams so far. The Saints took a 9-0 lead thanks to a blocked punt by safety J.T. Gray that resulted in a safety -- then a forced fumble by safety Vonn Bell that led to a touchdown. But the Bears quickly responded with a 102-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Fog covering most of the Chicago skyline as Saints warm up. But the weather is about as good as they could hope for in late October. Mid-50s, no chance of rain and only light wind.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

The Saints' two healthy inactives Sunday at Chicago are CB Ken Crawley and OL Ethan Greenidge. They previously ruled out five injured players: QB Drew Brees (thumb), RB Alvin Kamara (ankle, knee), TE Jared Cook (ankle), WR Tre'Quan Smith (ankle) and DE Trey Hendrickson (neck). Rookie safety Saquan Hampton and newly-promoted TE Dan Arnold will both make their season debuts.

Covering machine Bridgewater looks to keep it rolling in Chicago (0:51)
15h

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

The Saints promoted TE Dan Arnold from their practice squad, giving them another pass-catching option with Jared Cook out. They waived newly-signed TE Brian Parker.

Photo by Scott Clause/The Advertiser via USA Today Network
2dMike Triplett

Saints rule out RB Kamara, TE Cook vs. Bears

Running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Jared Cook, who rank second and third on the Saints in passing targets behind wide receiver Michael Thomas, won't play Sunday against the Bears.

Cruz: Saints just know how to win (1:50)
3d

Team Stats

Passing Yards240.315th
Rushing Yards104.319th
Points For21.3
Points Against20.3