The Bears’ vaunted defense seemed to reach a breaking point Sunday.
Put to the test by more offensive discombobulation — including an Anthony Miller fumble at in the first quarter, the defense was the primary reason the Bears were down only 12-10 at halftime. The Saints scored a safety on a blocked punt and a touchdown on a 24-yard drive after Miller’s fumble. A 12-play, 52-yard field-goal drive gave the Saints their 12-10 lead.
But it unraveled from there, as the Bears’ defense wilted early in the third quarter and fueled a 24-0 run that turned a close game into a blowout en route to a deceiving 36-25 final.