- 4 days ago
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00:00Ladies and gentlemen, would you please welcome your New Orleans Saints!
00:30We welcome you!
00:59We welcome you, Mike Tirico, Greg Wilson, and that's Cairo Santos to get us started!
01:06And off we go from the Superdome!
01:09And he'll be brought down past 25 in a decent field position to start this job.
01:15So the Saints ready to go to work on offense for the first time.
01:19They'll be let out by a fifth-round selection out of the 2024 draft.
01:24From South Carolina by way of Oklahoma, it's Spencer Ratliff.
01:28You know, I'm interested to watch him play today, Mike.
01:31I think this is a guy that hasn't had a lot of opportunity throughout his career to prove himself time and time again, week by week.
01:38So, limited action, limited game experience, but he's definitely got all the skills to be successful in this league.
01:45On the ground for the first time, this is Alvin Kamara.
01:49And he's gonna be hit and dropped behind the line!
01:52Great push-up field defensively!
01:54What a way to start this one!
01:57Mike, this defense talked all week about the importance of coming out fast and starting this game the right way.
02:02And it's less about the loss of yards there on that first play and more about just setting the tone.
02:08Hey, we're gonna be here all day, we're bringing it, and boy did they ever.
02:12To throw on second down is Ratliff.
02:16A bit of a quick hitter here.
02:18What you're hoping for, Mike, is that the defense can't react quickly enough because the ball's coming out so hot.
02:23But they knew it was coming, and they end up holding him to just a short game.
02:27They come to the line needing 11 here on third down.
02:39From the gun, here's Ratliff.
02:43Open that and it's your lead!
02:45That's complete!
02:47And they will bring him down on the upper side of midfield.
02:52That is a big gator for the Saints!
02:55And even three yards!
02:58First and ten at the 44-yard line.
03:03Well, they've come out swinging here on this opening drive through the air, and that's exactly what they wanted to do.
03:09Generate some early chunk plays and try to get some points.
03:13They'll break the huddle.
03:14Coming up now for first and ten.
03:17A fake to Kamara, and now Rattler.
03:21And he'll be taking down Lake Dottler.
03:24Back in the 50-yard line.
03:26Brady, Jarrett, in there for the sack.
03:30Worked his way through.
03:32It's a loss of five.
03:34Well, that's certainly one way to bounce back here defensively after giving up a huge explosive play on the previous snap.
03:41To bounce back and come away with a sack.
03:44Now you find yourself in second and long.
03:47You can catch your breath, and the opportunity to get off the field has just gone up.
03:55Work to do now as they come up on second and long.
03:59Working out of the gun, here's Rattler.
04:05That'll be caught.
04:06It's Alvin Kamara.
04:08The kid about six before he's taken down.
04:11Alvin Kamara.
04:12It's a gain of seven.
04:15Brings up third and nine.
04:17Third down and nine.
04:23Third down and nine.
04:28In motion is Hill.
04:31On third down, it's Rattler.
04:34And that is incomplete.
04:36He was looking for Brandon Cooks with that pass.
04:40And now it's fourth down for Gordon.
04:43I think he predetermined that third down throw.
04:45And even though the coverage was tight, he still tried to fit the ball in there anyway.
04:49And it ended up falling incomplete.
04:52I think if he goes through his progressions and has a little bit more trust in his protection,
04:57I think there's an easier throw to make out there.
05:00And no chance of a run back here.
05:01This one is going to sail out of bounds.
05:04So here comes the Bears and their quarterback for the second straight year.
05:09The number one pick in the 2024 draft.
05:12It's Caleb Williams.
05:14So although his rookie season didn't go exactly according to plan,
05:17the best thing that happened, Mike, was he started all 17 games.
05:21And I know there were some ups and some downs.
05:24He's got a new regime now, new stability, new head coach.
05:27And I think it's going to allow all of his physical talent we saw coming out of college
05:31that made Caleb Williams the number one overall pick.
05:34I think it's going to let it shine.
05:36Because there is no question.
05:37And this guy is in the right system with the right play caller.
05:40He is as talented and as productive as any quarterback we've seen come out of the draft in the last couple years.
05:46And even though they'll say he had a man in the vicinity of the throws.
05:51Clearly not intended to be caught.
05:54Really smart play.
05:55Don't risk a turnover here.
05:57Live for the next snap.
05:59Williams to throw on second down.
06:04Open man.
06:05That's Romo Lunze.
06:08Marking down just shy of the 40.
06:1217 yards on that flex.
06:15And first down, Chicago.
06:18This is clinic tape for any young wide receiver out there watching this guy run routes.
06:23He has the defender thinking everything is a go ball.
06:26Attack him vertically.
06:28And then when you get to your route depth, you stick that foot in the ground.
06:32You break in.
06:33Balls on time.
06:34Results in a nice first down pick.
06:37There's no more efficient play in the NFL than the play action passing game.
06:41You can see here why.
06:43You make the defense have to honor both the run and the pass.
06:46And he's able to pick up a nice game to his tight end.
06:49Ball spotted at the 45.
06:54Here's second and four.
07:01A play fake.
07:02And a throw with Williams.
07:05And he's going to have a first down and fourth out.
07:08Nice pick up of Nob.
07:11This is a great example of why teams want to stay out of what they call passing down.
07:16Where a defense doesn't have to honor the run.
07:19In this case they do.
07:20And man, the play action pass just works off of that and can really lead to some chunk plays.
07:25Bill running for the first time with DeAndre Smith.
07:30And he'll only be able to muster all the yards.
07:34Mario Davis there on the play.
07:37Brings up second A&A at the Saints 43-yard line.
07:42From the 43.
07:43Here's second and eight.
07:44They'll go again.
07:45Which win.
07:46They converge on him quickly.
07:47He'll only get it coming.
07:48Brian Brzee there for attack at the 49.
07:49Two-yard gain on the play.
07:50And it's third down.
07:51Back field empties.
07:52Five receivers in the formation for third down.
08:03And five.
08:05One-two-yard gain on the play, and it's third down.
08:13Backfield empties.
08:15Five receivers in the formation for third down and five.
08:21From the shotgun, it's Williams.
08:26Williams hit, and he loses the football.
08:30And fortunately, they're center.
08:31These are the opportunities that just kill defensive coordinators.
08:40You got the ball loose.
08:41You did everything you want, but now you've got to recover it.
08:44You need better pursuit of it.
08:45More bodies around the ball carrier, because when that ball pops out, you've got to be on it.
08:52These opportunities don't come around often, and when they do, you've got to seize the ball.
09:01They'll start this one on the ground with Kamara.
09:23He's to the 40.
09:24A big run.
09:26They finally get to him and bring him down.
09:33So we come to the end of a fairly evenly played opening quarter.
09:42Nothing yet on the scoreboard.
09:44More from New Orleans after this.
09:47It's the Saints with the football.
09:51Here as quarter two begins.
09:54Now a first and ten from the 38-yard line.
09:58Operating from the gun.
10:00It's Rappers.
10:01Oh, he's going to be followed up.
10:03And take it down.
10:04Thank God.
10:06And now we're seeing the game kind of go back and forth.
10:09Each team trading blows.
10:11Trying to establish control over the other.
10:14Nice chunk play on the previous play.
10:16The defense responds back with a sack.
10:18And see which team can establish a little bit more of this control as the game unfolds.
10:23Here's Rattler now on second down.
10:47This defense hitting their ears back.
10:50Coming to get him again.
10:53Gael Otenbo.
10:55Getting into the sack.
10:57That's going to lead to third and very long.
11:01If there's any silver lining for this drive, Mike, it's the fact that at least this sack occurred on an early down.
11:07So I guess technically they have a chance to claw themselves out of this hole.
11:11But that's the third sack of the game.
11:13This defense doesn't show any signs of slowing down.
11:16So backed up after the sack.
11:19And now it's third and long.
11:22Here's Rattler.
11:24Here's a screen coming for Kamara.
11:26Pretty good effort on that one.
11:29It will not be enough.
11:31It's going to bring up four down.
11:33I think there's one of those plays that when the ball carrier watches this back in the film room tomorrow,
11:38he'll be a little frustrated with himself.
11:40If he could just evade that one guy miss, he picks up the first down.
11:44Instead, he gets brought down short of the sticks.
11:46Now they've got a fourth down decision to make.
11:48A 50-yard attempt.
11:51Ruppie's kick is good.
11:54And the Saints will take a 3-0 lead.
11:58So any time an offense comes off the field after settling for three,
12:02you always have to take the good with the bad.
12:04In order to get down there in field goal range,
12:06you had to do something positive to move the ball.
12:09But at the same time,
12:10how are we going to be able to finish these drives
12:13and convert for six the next time we get down there?
12:18So after the field goal is over,
12:24the score is the kicker's back out for this kickoff.
12:29On the return, it's Tyler Scott.
12:32He'll be brought down right around the 25-yard line.
12:37The Bears offense ready to take over for their second possession.
12:41The offense is a little slow to start percolating.
12:443-0 the score as they begin this drive
12:47with a first attempt.
13:07Operating from the shotgun,
13:09it's Rodeo.
13:09That's a nice pickup on a first down throw.
13:12It's a gain of 8.
13:133-7, the 3rd, Rodeo.
13:16It's a gain of 8.
13:18Brings up second and two.
13:20At the 33-yard line.
13:25From the 33,
13:27here's second and a couple.
13:32Off play action.
13:34Here's Williams.
13:35He's flushed to his right.
13:37You know, Mike, nice job.
13:39Here's the quarterback.
13:39Just understanding on these early downs,
13:42you just don't want to go back here.
13:44So he's able to avoid the negative play,
13:46pick up a little bit,
13:48and mostly avoid the set.
13:52Gonna be third.
13:53They need one.
13:54They'll go with the sneak.
14:00And he'll get good with him.
14:02Back to the line of scrimmage,
14:04and that's all.
14:06I don't want to take anything away
14:07from the quarterback here.
14:08Mike, he did a nice job
14:09picking up that first down.
14:11This play is won or lost
14:13by the big guys up front.
14:14They're the ones who need
14:15to get off the snap on time,
14:17get leverage on the defender,
14:18and create the space needed
14:20for the quarterback
14:21to pick up the first down.
14:22That's gonna be incomplete.
14:29A very stunning report.
14:31That's gonna bring up
14:32the second down.
14:33And their offensive struggles
14:35just continue to show up
14:37time after time here
14:38in this first half.
14:40It's gonna be hard to sustain drives
14:42when you continue to put themselves
14:44in holes on these early downs
14:46like they did here.
14:47On second down,
14:53it's a run with slip.
14:55And it's not much there.
14:56He's back to the original line.
14:58No game on that.
15:00And after that negative run,
15:02I think this changes the play call
15:03now on third down.
15:05So this offensive line
15:06has to be a lot better
15:07on first and second down
15:09to gain positive yards.
15:11Stay on track
15:12because you don't want to be
15:13in third and pass
15:15too often
15:16in today's NFL.
15:19We're trying to shut the screen here
15:20to slip.
15:22And he's gonna get this
15:23close to a first down,
15:24but he's out of bounds
15:25on the yard short.
15:27And that's gonna take it
15:28fourth down.
15:29When you're willing to throw the ball
15:31short of the sticks
15:32on third down,
15:33you know what that tells you, Mike?
15:34The decision to go for it
15:36on fourth down
15:37has already been made.
15:38If you're able to pick it up
15:40with yards after the catch,
15:41great.
15:42But if not,
15:42it's a fourth and short
15:44and you give yourself
15:45a realistic shot
15:46of converting on this court down.
15:48Here's Torrey Taylor now
15:50to punt for the second time
15:52looking to pin the opponent
15:53back deep.
15:54Ah, nearly a good one.
16:00A hit at the six,
16:01but continues in the end zone.
16:03It's a touchback.
16:05Now, out comes
16:06the New Orleans offense.
16:07They're ready to take over
16:08once again.
16:09They'll look to build
16:10on their 3-0 lead
16:11as this drive starts
16:13with a first and 10.
16:24Shotgun snap here
16:33for Rattler.
16:35He's got to receive
16:36a wide opening.
16:39They'll get 11 there.
16:41And that's a quick first down.
16:44This is such a critical moment
16:45in the game,
16:46that middle four minutes,
16:48the final two minutes
16:49of the first half
16:49and then the possession
16:50to come out
16:51of the halftime break.
16:52So, maximizing this possession
16:54here before halftime
16:56is critical.
16:57See if you can get
16:58a drive starter.
16:59See if you can get
16:59an easy completion
17:00to kickstart
17:01a two-minute hold in.
17:03That's what they got here.
17:04And they got to see
17:04if they can go down
17:05and steal some points.
17:07It'll be a pickup test.
17:09First down,
17:10New Orleans.
17:12These curl rounds.
17:13He's been running these
17:13since he was a young kid
17:15in Pop Warner football.
17:16And I like to call it
17:18pulling the string.
17:19You've got the defender
17:20thinking you're going downfield
17:21and you stick that foot
17:22in the ground
17:22and work back
17:24to the quarterback.
17:25And the rush gets home.
17:27He'll go down.
17:28They've got him.
17:30Andrew Pilling
17:31getting through there
17:33to drop him
17:34for a loss of six.
17:37Having a dominant pass rush
17:39so often translates to wins.
17:42And that's hardly been
17:42the case here, Mike.
17:43And they're able to add
17:45another sack to their total
17:46before half
17:46and that's great.
17:47But somehow,
17:48they still find themselves
17:49trailing.
17:50And that's the only thing
17:51that matters.
17:59On second down,
18:01here's Rattler.
18:03Sahid with the catch.
18:05So now the Saints
18:06will use the first
18:07of their three timeouts.
18:09On stop with
18:09a little under a minute to go
18:11in the second quarter.
18:12They need eight
18:28as they come up
18:30for third down.
18:34In motion goes Cooks.
18:36Throwing on third down,
18:40Rattler.
18:41Open man left side.
18:43He's got it.
18:44He's going to have
18:45the first down
18:46so they can take you
18:48on third down
18:49with a pickup of the outs.
18:52And that's an important conversion
18:53not only because it keeps
18:54their offense on the field
18:56and how they can go down
18:56and see if they can steal
18:57some late points.
18:59But either way,
19:00worst case scenario, Mike,
19:01if you're the offense here,
19:03you want to possess the ball
19:05going into halftime.
19:06Don't give your opponent
19:07a chance to go down
19:08and score on you.
19:10So big pickup there.
19:11Now we'll see if they can
19:12turn it into some points.
19:14Saints use their second timeout
19:16as they'll stop.
19:1827 seconds remaining
19:19until halftime.
19:30Here's a second
19:31and three forthcoming.
19:33Out of the gun.
19:40Rattler.
19:42It's a reception
19:43for Jason Hillman.
19:45And he will not make it
19:47to the end zone
19:48but he's down inside
19:49the five-yard line.
19:51Six yards.
19:52That is a big gainer
19:54for the Saints.
19:5636 yards.
20:01And with just four seconds
20:02left in the first half,
20:04a timeout is called.
20:05You can try to take us north.
20:09Here comes Blake Kruppi for this field goal try.
20:28This is about as short as you can get.
20:33He is two for two.
20:35That kick is good.
20:37Nice job there securing points
20:46with that final play.
20:47Of course,
20:48they would have loved to have come away
20:49from that possession with a touchdown,
20:51but I think they're going to be happy
20:53with three going into the break.
20:54So, two seconds left to play
21:08and the kick's away.
21:12And no chance to return this one.
21:15Through the end zone,
21:16four touchdowns.
21:17Thirty-five yards high.
21:18We go from sorry and sad
21:20We're ready to grab
21:21We're ready to get to the front
21:23I want the money to pass
21:24The moon at the back
21:25Because she's stacking it up
21:27We want the freedom to live
21:28And the freedom to hide
21:29From the 35,
21:31it's first and ten.
21:36Williams.
21:37He's going to look
21:43for the home run ball.
21:45Back to the sideline
21:47and intercepted.
21:49Kicked off by Isaac Yatham.
21:52So, halftime straight ahead
21:53and we send it over to Scott Hanson
21:55who has the EA Sports Halftime Report.
21:59Alright Mike, thanks very much.
22:01Scott Hanson,
22:02good to be with you
22:03from the Orlando EA Sports Studios
22:05with an abridged halftime report.
22:07This one shaping up to be a tight one
22:09as evidenced by the scoreboard.
22:11Both these teams playing it close to the vest
22:13in the first half.
22:14What will happen in the second half?
22:16Let's find out
22:17as we send it back to the stadium
22:18and our commentary team.
22:20Mike Tirico
22:21and Greg Olson.
22:32Alright Scott, thank you very much.
22:34We'll see if adjustments at halftime
22:36change the course of this one.
22:39Likely to play a big role.
22:41Who's going to walk away with a W?
22:42First half playing out a bit as we expected.
22:58We'll see if there's a surprise coming up.
23:01Both teams set to go
23:02and the second half is underway.
23:05And he's brought down right now
23:07the 25-yard mark.
23:10LeBair's offense
23:11looking to get back to work
23:12as we begin this third quarter.
23:15Still in search for their first points
23:16in this one
23:17but only trailing 6-0.
23:19And this drive will begin
23:21with a first down.
23:21They'll start on the ground
23:43with snow.
23:44Even a tiptoe around
23:45one tackle
23:46but not second.
23:47He'll be taken down
23:48from no game
23:49right at the line of scrimmage.
23:50When you look throughout this game
23:52Mike, I don't think there's even a pain.
23:54This defensive line
23:55has clearly won the battle
23:57at the line of scrimmage
23:58over this offensive line.
24:00And for an offense
24:01that wants the run game
24:02to be such a critical element
24:03to its plan
24:05they've got to do a better job
24:07because there's nowhere to run.
24:08There's no holes for the back to find.
24:10And all these zero or negative runs
24:13are putting them in some really bad spots.
24:15First time they've looked his way
24:17all game long.
24:19He comes through
24:20with the grab
24:21and the first down.
24:22And that's a 40-yard line.
24:28The defender has to do a better job here, Mike,
24:30of getting depth.
24:31He wants to elevate that ball
24:33to give his secondary defender
24:35a chance to make a play.
24:37He gets too much whiff,
24:39not enough depth
24:40and a quarterback like this
24:42has got to take advantage.
24:43That one incomplete
24:44the defender right there
24:46to make the play.
24:47And it's second down.
24:49Luther Burton
24:50the intended target.
24:53It's second down.
25:05They will run it
25:07over center with Swift.
25:08And to pick his way forward
25:10a game of about five.
25:12And that's going to set up
25:13for third next year.
25:14He's done.
25:16Five yards on the flip.
25:18And it's third down.
25:20Working out of the gun.
25:33Here's Williams.
25:35He'll let this one go.
25:36Deep down the right side line.
25:40And another wasted drive here, Mike.
25:43And they start to add up.
25:44And coming out of halftime,
25:46you would think
25:46that they would make
25:47some adjustments
25:48and try to get some points
25:49on the scoreboard.
25:50But so far,
25:51looks like much of the same.
25:53The Bears
25:54send out their front teams.
25:56And not the greatest of results here.
26:04This is going to hit the field of play
26:06and continue
26:07at the wrong 30-yard line.
26:09The Saints' offense ready for their first possession
26:12of this second half.
26:14They work with a six-point advantage
26:17as they start this drive
26:19on first and ten.
26:20They'll run.
26:34It's Kamara.
26:35He'll struggle to get back
26:36to the live stripping.
26:38And he gets a yard out of that one.
26:40It's second down.
26:41Just run it down.
26:43One-yard game.
26:45Brings up second and nine
26:47at the 31-yard line.
26:59Out of the shotgun.
27:01It's Ratliff.
27:03And he's going to get this one
27:05out to the 43-yard line.
27:08It's a game of 12.
27:10It's good for a Saints first down.
27:14This is so much of the skill sets
27:15that we're seeing for real.
27:17in the league
27:17at the running back position.
27:19You don't want to have to sub
27:20your running back
27:21off the field, Mike,
27:22when you build what they call
27:23these empty
27:24or five-wide sets.
27:26Can you keep your running back
27:27and run true receiver routes
27:29and be a threat?
27:30Because when you can,
27:31there's a lot of big plays
27:32to be made.
27:33He'll work his way ahead
27:35for a game
27:35in the battlefield.
27:38Gets a game of five.
27:40Brings up second and five.
27:41And they're a 48-yard line.
27:47From the 48-yard line,
27:49here's second down and five.
27:55Look at the throw.
27:56Rattler.
27:57This pass taken in by Shahid.
28:02He's going to be out of bounds
28:03inside the 40-yard line.
28:0614 yards.
28:0714 on the pick-up.
28:09First down,
28:10New Orleans.
28:11First and 10 at the 38-yard line.
28:13You see this connection
28:14is just starting really
28:15to pick up.
28:16They're seeing the game
28:17through the same set of eyes.
28:18And that is the job
28:19of the receiver.
28:20What is my quarterback
28:21expecting from me?
28:23Where does he want me?
28:24Be there on time.
28:25And it leads to big games
28:26like this.
28:28And there's some good work
28:29on the ground here.
28:30Going to take it inside the 30
28:32with a run of eight yards.
28:35A game of nine.
28:37Brings up second and one.
28:39And the 29-yard line.
28:40Here's Cam Akers for the first time.
28:54He's taken down
28:55just shy of the 10.
28:58They gave 18 yards on that ball.
29:02It's good for a Saints first down.
29:06We've seen this trend
29:07throughout the league, Mike.
29:09Offensively,
29:09everyone wants to have depth
29:11at the running back position.
29:12Yeah, it's great to have one guy.
29:14But if you can have two or three
29:16that can all come in
29:18and contribute on the ground,
29:20that's the goal.
29:21And we're seeing it here.
29:22Shahid in motion.
29:25The show gets weak
29:27and instead run it up the middle.
29:29And some space opens
29:30as you're brought down
29:31following a game of six.
29:33And your line.
29:34It's a pick up at six.
29:36Brings up second and four.
29:38To throw on second down
29:51is Rattler.
29:52To the goal line
29:54and in.
29:55Chris Olave.
29:57Touchdown, Saints.
29:58Touchdown, Saints.
30:00Oh shoot.
30:01Yeah.
30:01I'm like
30:02yeah.
30:02We're sitting there
30:03here in the hood.
30:04DJ ho.
30:05Everybody do it.
30:06Yeah.
30:07Okay.
30:08Be careful out.
30:09Everybody do that.
30:10Yeah.
30:11Take it back.
30:13Oh yeah.
30:13I'm going back it up.
30:14I'm going back.
30:16Oh yeah.
30:17Yeah.
30:18Now, a two-point conversion attempt coming.
30:36The Saints will line up for the two-point conversion.
30:39We're going to throw as Rappert.
30:41And he will get in for the two.
30:45They hope out the bag of tricks on the goal line.
30:47And that's Rappert.
31:06Mike, I think all of us can remember exactly where we were during a certain Super Bowl
31:11where throwing the ball this close to the goal line ended up being a disaster.
31:16But unlike that time, they ran this pass play to perfection.
31:20And the result? Two points.
31:32After the touchdown, it's Rupi to kick this one away.
31:36Scott now on the return.
31:42And he'll be brought down just beyond the 25-yard line.
31:47The Bears offense ready to take over once again.
31:50They're staring at a two-touchdown deficit.
31:5214-0.
31:53The score as the offense tries to regroup and get going with first and ten.
31:58This drive will begin with a run by Swift.
32:19And he'll push his way ahead for a gain of two.
32:21To Mario to Davis, they're on the run.
32:25Two yards on the pick-up.
32:28In second and eight.
32:30At 29-yard line.
32:33They'll come up on a second down and eight.
32:40To throw is Williams.
32:44Pass is caught at DJ Moore.
32:46They'll mark them down a matter of 44-yard line.
32:51And the Bears.
32:53We're off to the fourth quarter here on Christmas Eve.
32:56Back with more after the break.
32:59You're tuned in to the NFL on EA Sports.
33:02A fresh set of downs to work with.
33:27It is first down and ten.
33:29Here's Williams.
33:34He'll get this underneath to Swift.
33:37Oh, nice open field tackle there.
33:39He could not get trained.
33:40They're going to stop him for no game.
33:43Brings up second and nine.
33:45At the 41-yard line.
33:51Here's a second and nine.
33:54Here's Williams now to throw.
34:02They're going to work this down inside the 45.
34:06It's a pick-up of 12.
34:09Good for a Bears first down.
34:11And this is a tricky part in the game for any defense.
34:15You find yourself protecting a late lead.
34:18And the age-old question is, do you remain aggressive?
34:21Do you try to just keep the ball from being thrown over your head
34:24and make everything be tackled and played in front of you?
34:27That's what every defensive coordinator struggles with.
34:30So, they can't get too soft here as they try to hold on to this lead here late.
34:35And they'll take this down inside.
34:3735.
34:39Well, it was nice last time, so they did it again.
34:42Another 12-yard kickoff.
34:44And another first down.
34:45First middle chance of this 31-yard line.
34:47Throw it again.
34:56It's Williams.
34:58Looking middle there.
35:00But it's incomplete.
35:02He was looking to get it to D.J. Moore.
35:05And that will bring up second down.
35:08And that's another brutal drop for an offense
35:11that has struggled to catch the ball up to this point.
35:14And, yes, you can nitpick about ball placement and whatnot.
35:18But, listen, the reality is, at this level, if it hits your hands,
35:22you have to find a way to come down.
35:26Throw right side.
35:27Rob Lyle Guzzi.
35:29And they are in great shape.
35:31He's taken down inside the 10-yard.
35:35That is a gain of 22.
35:37And it sets up first down and goal.
35:41This is what the offense needed now after that last completion.
35:44You still trail here in the fourth quarter.
35:47You need scores.
35:48And you need scores fast.
35:50So they cannot take their time.
35:52I wouldn't be surprised to get them right back up on the line of scrimmage
35:55and try to score here now that it's first and goal.
35:58The big tight end goal committed.
36:01The intended receiver.
36:03And it'll lead to a second and goal.
36:06That was a perfectly timed hit.
36:08And I think it actually saved six points.
36:10He got there just as the ball did.
36:13And I think it was the contact that separated him from the ball.
36:18They're trying to throw again.
36:19Here's Williams.
36:21Oh, looking's end zone.
36:23But it's out of the reach.
36:24A receiver.
36:25And incomplete.
36:27That's one.
36:27He loves to hand back.
36:29An opportunity to score six was right there for the taking.
36:33Just wasn't quite meant to be.
36:35Two plays at their disposal.
36:38But they'd love to get it right here on third and goal.
36:44Williams to the air once more.
36:46And that is incomplete.
36:49Context for just as the ball was arriving.
36:52There are no flags.
36:53I just don't like the look of this passing game.
36:59Like, it just seems a bit erratic.
37:01On top of the two straight incompletions,
37:03they've already turned the ball over through the air.
37:05Truthfully, with how dangerous some of these throws have been,
37:09they're lucky it hasn't been even more.
37:10And he will score.
37:13Gabe Pong.
37:15Roe Loduzzi.
37:17Touchdown, Bears.
37:21Greg, they are pecking away at this one now.
37:24Very big touchdown.
37:26Gets them right within reach of pulling this comeback off.
37:30Well, Mike, at the very least, they've given themselves a chance.
37:33But can they get a stop and get the ball back again for a chance to go down
37:38and really make this one interesting?
37:40And now they'll go with the more popular of late analytics-driven decision.
37:50Down eight, going for two.
37:53Going again, Williams.
37:56In trouble, and down he goes.
38:01So they decided to put the ball into the air,
38:03which I don't mind on this two-point try,
38:05but execution was just a little bit off,
38:08and it's not going to work out in their favor this time.
38:10So things a little more interesting now.
38:32Back to a one-score game as they kick it away.
38:36On the return, it's Rasheed Shaheed.
38:39He's across the 20.
38:41Taken down.
38:41He's just shot in early 25.
38:43The Saints take over.
38:44From the Saints' offensive veteran, Alvin Kamara seems to take over once more.
38:49And it's hard to believe you can run the ball a whole lot better than he has.
38:53The vision, the comeback ability, the acceleration, the stats.
38:57It has all been on display throughout.
38:59So here's a first and ten now.
39:09They'll start from the 24.
39:11Four-minute offense, Mike.
39:29So what does it mean?
39:30One, make the defense use all of their remaining timeouts.
39:34Two, continue to pick up first downs, milk the clock.
39:37And then three, if possible, finish with the ball in your hands.
39:42On first down, they'll stay with Kamara on the ground.
39:47The Bears will use one of their timeouts here.
39:50And they'll get together prior to the second down play.
39:53A three-yard pick up brings up second and seven.
39:57They'll go again here with Kamara.
40:20And now the second charge timeout to Chicago.
40:23The Bears will talk things over before third game is the game of two.
40:27He brings up third and five.
40:48In motion is Hill.
40:49Third and short-yarded.
40:54And here's Rattler.
40:56That is caught.
40:58Hooks gets to the ground.
41:00The Bears will have you.
41:02I think there is third and final timeout.
41:04We disappointed there after giving up the first down.
41:08That's the 43-yard line.
41:10Down the couch at Jamal House.
41:11I don't wrap up a lot with the winning down.
41:13So y'all know that lost y'all mind.
41:14Baby, let me see a pot dance line.
41:16I can see from the front in the new at once.
41:18I will go have to walk back by.
41:20When it's west, but I'll be all over that.
41:21But I will never watch it.
41:29They'll stop it here.
41:30We have an injured Saint on the play.
41:33And as the medical staff looks him over, we'll step aside.
41:37From the 34-yard line,
42:06here's second down and a yard.
42:11They'll go play action here with Rattler.
42:14Oh, and this one's going to wind up incomplete.
42:17That's one you'd think you'd be able to corral.
42:20But you can't find the handle,
42:21and it's going to lead to a third down.
42:24Oftentimes, it's the wide-open ones
42:26that are the hardest to catch.
42:28It seems like the ball is in the air forever.
42:31You start overthinking it.
42:33You start really making more of it than what you should.
42:35And you let it slip away.
42:37It's the quarterback with a sneak.
42:39And he'll be stacked up at the line of scrimmage.
42:44When done correctly, Mike,
42:46this is just such a high-percentage call.
42:48It's kind of hard to choose another playoff.
42:51It's impossible to defend.
42:53You can know it's coming.
42:54Stack the box.
42:55Whatever you want to do.
42:56But most of the time,
42:57they'll just drive forward
42:58and pick up the first down.
43:01They'll break the huddle.
43:02Coming up now for first and ten.
43:05Victory very much in sight now
43:11as they'll take a knee.
43:25Second and 11.
43:26In motion is Hill.
43:39They'll drop to throw.
43:44That's going to be incomplete.
43:46Good work.
43:47The defender's body is man up.
43:49Wouldn't allow the catch.
43:51It'll force third down.
43:53All things considered,
43:55it's actually a pretty good pass.
43:57I mean, he puts the ball into place
43:58where only his guy can catch it.
44:01But I think he hears those footsteps coming
44:03from that nearest defender,
44:05and he's not able to secure the catch-to-contact.
44:08And they'll only get a couple on this one,
44:11so the defense holds
44:12and it brings up fourth down.
44:14A two-yard game.
44:18It's fourth down.
44:29So a pressured hit coming here
44:32for Blake Rupie.
44:34This to make it a two-possession lead.
44:38And this one right down the middle.
44:43It's good.
44:44And that could be big.
44:46They now take a two-score advantage.
44:51And this is what you want.
44:52I mean, you clearly have the advantage,
44:54but you want to continue to apply pressure.
44:57Can you score every time you get the ball?
44:59They're able to do that here.
45:00They tack on three and extend their lead.
45:08The kickoff team out there
45:13one final time in the final minute
45:15as they kick it away.
45:17On the return, it's Devin Duvernay.
45:21He'll walk his way across the 25-yard line.
45:24Now, Caleb Williams in the bag.
45:28Down by 11.
45:3027 seconds to go.
45:33It's been a struggle to score all day,
45:35and now they need to do it twice
45:37a year late to have a chance.
45:39This is first and ten.
45:51Operating from the shotgun, it's Williams.
45:56They'll be close to just throw that one away.
45:59It's incomplete.
46:00This is one of those situations
46:01that plays directly into the hands of the defense
46:04because think, like, they know
46:06this offense has to be one-dimensional.
46:08This has to be a pass.
46:09So what do they do?
46:10They bring in extra defensive backs.
46:12They clog up the back end.
46:14And at the end of the day,
46:15there's just nowhere for the offense
46:17to go with the ball.
46:19Throwing on second down.
46:21Williams.
46:24They'll be close to just throw that one away.
46:27It's incomplete.
46:28So this is where it gets really challenging
46:30as an offense.
46:30You find yourself trailing late in the game.
46:33The defense can play you one-dimensional.
46:35They know it's a pass-first situation.
46:38And so extra defensive backs,
46:40the zones and the coverage
46:41are a little bit tighter and cloudier.
46:43And he's having a hard time
46:44finding any open windows downfield.
46:50That ball is caught on the sideline
46:53and both feet inbounds.
46:55A big third-down pickup for a first down.
46:59That's good.
47:00Give him 18 yards on that one.
47:02And the first down.
47:05Third downs, Mike.
47:06Those are quarterback downs.
47:08Those are the downs.
47:09We tend to find yourself in a must-pass situation.
47:12And that's where the top guys in the league
47:14are still capable of overcoming it.
47:16So throw the ball downfield.
47:17Be accurate with the ball.
47:19Winning on third downs.
47:20That is a recipe for success.
47:23You can't fault the quarterback on this one.
47:25Like, he really didn't even have much of an opportunity
47:27by the time he hit the top of his drop
47:29and got his eyes downfield.
47:31The defense was all over him.
47:32And he really had no choice
47:33but to just get that ball out of his hand
47:36and live to play another snap.
47:38On second down, it's Williams.
47:47And that final throw here is intercepted.
47:51That's the linebacker, Keith Porter.
47:54And the Saints are going to come up with a late turnover
47:57but it will only matter to the stat keepers.
48:00This ball game is over.
48:03So this one, a win for the Saints.
48:06And right away, you can point to the turnover battle.
48:10Always key.
48:10Tells the story so often.
48:12It did here again today.
48:14Their offense didn't turn it over at all.
48:16They finished on the plus side with the takeaways.
48:19As a result, they're going to come away with the victory.
48:23And that'll do it for my partner, Greg Olson.
48:26For our entire team, I'm Mike Tirico.
48:28This has been a presentation of the NFL on EA Sports.
48:33The Saints are winners as we say,
48:38so long from New Orleans.
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