GAME INFO
New Orleans Saints (7-6) vs Chicago Bears (7-6)

Date: Thursday, Dec 11, 2008
Kickoff:  8:15 PM ET
Teams: Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill
Weather Forecast: 21 – 31 degrees with 10% chance of precipitation

THE LINE (subject to change)
Bears giving 3 points to the Saints  Under/Over 44

THE MATCHUP
New Orleans Saints are 4th in the NFC South (7-6-0), 3 games behind the Carolina Panters who are 10-3.  They have scored 366 points and given up 326.  They are 2-3 in the division and 4-5 in the conference and 1-5 on the Road.

The Chicago Bears are 2nd in the NFC North behind the Minnesota Vikings.  They have scored 304 points while giving up 278.  They are 3-2 in the division and 5-5 in the conference and 4-2 at home.

AGAINST THE SPREAD (ATS)
The Saints are 9-4 ATS, 3-3 ATS Away, 3-2 ATS as the underdog and 2-2 ATS as an away underdog

The Bears are 6-6 ATS, 3-3 ATS at hoe, 4-3 ATS as the favorite and 2-2 ATS as a home favorite.

PREVIEW
This is probably the toughest game of the week to call and the first meeting between the two this season.  The game will be on the shoulders of the Saints QB, Drew Brees and the Bears running back, Matt Forte.  If Brees keeps his interceptions to 1 or less there is a good chance the Saints can upset the Bears.  If Forte has a 100+ yard game it puts the Bears in a good position to keep Brees off the field and win the game.

Both teams are still in the post-season hunt but they need to continue to win to have a chance.

Weather should not be an issue Thursday night. It will be cold but the wind should not be a factor. 

One big stat that sticks out is the Saints are only 1-5 on the Road.

INJURIES
Bears
Marty Booker WR Ribs Did Not Participate In Practice
Desmond Clark TE Hamstring Did Not Participate In Practice
Tommie Harris DT Knee Did Not Participate In Practice
Jason McKie RB Quadricep Did Not Participate In Practice
Garrett Wolfe RB Hamstring Did Not Participate In Practice

Saints
Jammal Brown T Ankle Did Not Participate In Practice
Will Smith DE Not Injury Related Did Not Participate In Practice
Roman Harper S Shoulder Full Participation in Practice
 
 
PREDICTION (ATS)
The Bears are giving 3 points (-3) to the Saints who are 1-5 on the Road.  I see the Bears controlling the ball and winning the game by 4 points.

Chicago Bears 24 New Orleans Saints 20

GAME INFO
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers
8:30 PM EST
ESPN
Bank of America Stadium

 

FOR THE RECORD
The Tampa Bay Bucaneers are 9-3, 3-3 on the road, 3-1 in the NFC South and 8-2 in the National Football Conference. They are tied with the Carolina Panthers for first place in the NFC South.  The Bucs have scored 280 points this year while giving up 200.

The Carolina Panthers are also 9-3 but are 6-0 at home.  They are 2-2 in the NFC South and 6-3 in the NFC.  They have score 285 points and given up 231.

THE LINE
Panthers are favored by 3 points Under/Over is 38 points (subject to change)

PREVIEW
Tonight’s matchup is a huge game for both teams. They are tied for first place in the NFC South. It seems that both teams are headed to the postseason, but the division winner will likely get the No. 2 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye, so there is plenty at stake — the division champion would likely not have to face the Giants until the NFC Championship Game. These teams have a lot of similarities, and while neither is overly dynamic or exciting, both are well coached and fundamentally sound and find ways to win. In a division that will go down to the wire, every game becomes critical, and this may be the most important remaining game for both teams. We may not see a high-scoring, offensive-oriented contest, but this game will be close and physical.

TAMPA BAY FACTS
Jeff Garcia, the starting QB for Tampa Bay, took over the reins in October against Carolina in their earlier meeting.  He seems to be at his best the Panthers.
Jeff has thrown for 1902 yards and thrown 8 TDs. His QB rating is 92.5.

The Bucs running is lead by Warrick Dunn who has 640 yards on 145 carries with 2 TDS and Earnest. Graham who has 563 yards on 132 carries with 4 TDs.

Offensive Tackle J. haye is out. Wide ReceiverMichael Clayton, Defensive End Kevin Carter and Defensive End Gaines Adams are questionable for tonights game.

Jake Delhomme will be at QB for the Carolina Panters.  He has a QB rating of 81.7 in 2008 throwing for 2,427 yards with 12 TD passes. Running BackDeAngelo Williams leads the Panthers in the backfield with 955 yards in 193 attempts, scoring 11 TDs

Offensive Tackle Jeremy Bridges is Questionable for the game and Running Back Johnathan Stewart is listed as Probable.

PREVIOUS MEETING
 In the earlier meeting on October 12, 2008, the Bucs devastated the Panthers in Tampa Bay 28-3. This was the first game Jeff Garcia started for the Bucs.

OTHER NOTES
Two of the Carolina Panthers Defensive Ends are questionable for tonights game.  Even if they play, expect the Bucs to exploit them both.

PREDICTION
Considering the implications for both teams and the bump and grind style of both teams – expect it to a low scoring affair with the Carolina Panthers using the home field advantage to get revenge from their first meeting.

Carolina Panthers 21     Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10