Drew Brees, just because I’m trolling you, Chicago. | AP
Bear down
It’s a Who Dat invasion on Sunday when Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints roll into Soldier Field to take on the Bears. The Saints are the most formidable foe yet for Da Bears and while the Saints are 0-3 against the Bears at Solider Field with Brees at QB, all of those games were played in wintry weather (30 degrees or colder); Sunday’s forecast is sunny and 60. With the injuries piling up for the Bears defense, they’ll have their hands full with the Saints’ high-flying offense. And, full disclosure, I’m a die-hard Saints fan. Still, there’s enough weaknesses in the Saints’ game — lack of rushing attack, still improving yet evolving defense — that leaves plenty of room for an upset win by the Bears. But, whatever, I pick the Saints 34-24; if you see me at Soldier Field on Sunday, please don’t punch me. Also: remember that time the Saints won the Super Bowl? [Sun-Times Bears coverage]
BYOS: Bring Your Own Sads
A bill passed the committee phase in the City Council that would crack down on BYOB establishments in the city’s dry precincts. Also, the city apparently has dry precincts. [Sun-Times]
Another day, another package
Yet again, a suspicious package caused a prolonged Metra delay. [ABC 7]
Shutdown continues
Dems say stuff about GOP, GOP says stuff about Obamacare, blah blah blah. [Sun-Times]
Fixer upper
It’s going to cost over $54,000 for repairs to Humboldt Park after September’s successful Riot Fest music festival, which is well below the $1 million it cost to fix Grant Park after Lollapalooza. Plus, Riot Fest had a much better lineup so, yeah. [DNA Info]
Capitol scare
More on the woman at the center of yesterday’s incidents at the White House and the Capitol. [Sun-Times, WaPo]
Much ado about nothing
Why is everyone up in arms about this new burger at Kuma’s, anyway? Has no one ever actually gone to the joint, realized it’s a metal bar, and enjoyed many of its kissed-by-Satan-they’re-so-delicious burgers? Seriously, this is not a thing. The only story here is how much traction this is getting from national reporters who have clearly never been to Kuma’s, which is awesome, by the way. Get over it, get over yourselves, and get a damn burger. [NPR]
Lotta green
Potbelly did quite well for itself with its IPO. [Sun-Times]
Headdesk
You know a commercial is bad and annoying when schools are preventing its students from quoting it. But, no, really, it has become super annoying, so stop. [Gawker]
Fight club
Players insist there’s still a place for fighting in hockey. [Sun-Times]
Bye-bye, Dusty
For all you Cubs fans still mad at Dusty Baker for the way he destroyed the young Cubs of the early aughts, rejoice: He was fired from the Reds. [ESPN]
The Bright One
A history of the Chicago hipster, from the end of the 19th century to the present. [Chicago Reader]
Commute
Sudoku; Weather; Traffic; CTA; Metra; Flight delays
And finally
Real headline: The enduring mystery of Hitler’s monkeys. [io9]
