Bears predictions: Wild-card playoff game vs. Saints

The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ wild-card playoff game Sunday against the Saints:

RICK MORRISSEY

Saints, 35-20

The Bears need Mitch Trubisky to make big plays Sunday. That’s a problem because he hasn’t shown the ability to do it against good teams in big games. Hard to see it changing now. Season: 9-7.

RICK TELANDER

Saints, 28-23

This game is indoors, so no one can blame the weather. They can blame Drew Brees for being a senior Aaron Rodgers, though. Two Hall of Fame-to-be quarterbacks in a row. Sorry, Bears. Season: 10-6.

PATRICK FINLEY

Saints, 24-15

Brees is a Hall of Famer, but he’s not Rodgers. On the fast turf and with better weapons at his disposal than the Packers had, that still should be enough. I expect the Bears to try to play keepaway again in an effort to keep it close. Season: 13-3.

JASON LIESER

Saints, 31-17

I’ve gone 6-10 picking Bears games this season because I keep picking them to win, but that stops now. As I always say: “Fool me 10 times, shame on you. Fool me 11 times, shame on me.” Season: 6-10.

MARK POTASH

Saints, 26-17

The Bears’ offense has made strides since a 26-23 overtime loss Nov. 1 at Soldier Field, but the Saints’ defense has made even bigger strides. If Alvin Kamara (reserve/COVID-19) and Michael Thomas (ankle) play and Roquan Smith (elbow) doesn’t, that’s another big edge for the Saints. Season: 9-7.