Bears predictions: Week 7 vs. Saints

The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ home game against the Saints:

RICK MORRISSEY

Saints 16-10

I’ve seen nothing that gives the impression that the Bears are headed in the right direction offensively. Now they face the Saints, who are solid on defense. The Bears’ great hope is what it always is — that their defense will do enough to erase the sins of whoever is playing quarterback for them. Season: 2-3.

RICK TELANDER

Saints 24-20

They say Mitch Trubisky should play for the Bears, bum left shoulder and all. Meanwhile, Drew Brees is out for the Saints, and reborn Teddy Bridgewater is in, doing great. Remember his gruesome knee injury with the Vikings? Lucky that doctors saved his leg. It’s a hurting game, this NFL. Season: 3-2.

PATRICK FINLEY

Bears 15-9

For all the Bears’ injury woes, if there’s the perfect time to draw the Saints, it’s now: a game before Brees returns, with running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Jared Cook banged up, and at home. The Bears will win, but their long-term problems won’t be solved. Season: 3-2.

MARK POTASH

Bears 20-17

The Bears’ defense has played two completely different games without Akiem Hicks — great vs. the Vikings; terrible vs. the Raiders. Presuming the Vikings game is closer to the truth, and expecting the Bears to be better at home. Season: 3-2.

JASON LIESER

Bears 13-10

The Bears’ defense is rested and riled up after getting smoked in its last game, and the Saints have been unpredictable offensively since Brees went down. The Bears badly need this win and they’ll get it regardless of who’s playing quarterback. Their defense is good enough to make that happen, and motivation should be at its peak. Season: 3-2.