In their own words, here are five Bears and five Saints to watch during “Monday Night Football.”
BEARS
QB Jay Cutler
“I’ve got to worry about the Saints, just keep trying to improve this team. If I play better, that will just gives us a better chance to win.”
WR Alshon Jeffery
“It will be weird [without Brandon Marshall]. We’re just going to take advantage of our opportunities, whatever the defense is giving us.”
TE Martellus Bennett
“I feel like I can get open against whatever anyone throws at me. There’s been games where both guys have been in the game and I’ve been the leader in receiving for us.”
LB Jon Bostic
“[Calling the defense is] just being a lot more vocal, making sure that Christian [Jones] and I and Shea [McClellin] that we’re all on the same page and that we’re all on the same page with the [defensive] line and the secondary.”
DE Jared Allen
“You get to play against a team with Drew Brees, fighting for a playoff position and I like spoiling people’s seasons.”
SAINTS
QB Drew Brees
“He’s one of the great quarterbacks in this league. For us, we’re going to have to get after it up front. It starts with our [defensive] line.” — Bostic
RB Mark Ingram
“Any time they say it’s going to be wet, or you’re going to run the ball, I think any back loves that.” (Saints.com)
TE Jimmy Graham
“Well, you’ve seen it all. He’s an elite player in our league.” — coach Marc Trestman
OLB Junior Galette
“We haven’t lost this many games I feel like since I’ve been here. It’s a business of winning.” (The Advocate)
S Kenny Vaccaro
“We are not benching him. You guys (the media) benched him. Last year we had him doing a lot of different things and in my opinion Kenny was the best safety in football. This year, hell like all of us, me included, we haven’t been that same person.” – Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan (NOLA.com)