Your NFC Wildcard Playoff Game Open Thread

TO THE GAME!

Bears/Saints:

-The general consensus is that on-the-cusp of 42 years, Drew Brees will hang up his mole/birthmark for good after he loses. That won’t be happening today.

-Despite being benched Truth Biscuit actually has a record of 6-3 as a starter this year. Despite having the 2nd worst passing grade and a high rate of uncatchable balls the Bears win with him in the lineup. What gives? Well, it helps that his wr unit is 4th in yards after catch and 2nd in broken tackles-they’re inflating his stats so much they should call themselves “The Air Balloon Brigade”.

-Allen Robinson himself is responsible for more than half of the wr unit’s first downs and touchdowns. His partner Mooney is out so the 13 targets he had last week will be distributed among Riley Ridley(?) and Javon Wims(?).

-Both Kamara and Michael Thomas have been activated for this game. The former should have an easier time than usual because Bears lb Roquan Smith is out for this one. His replacement is much slower of foot.

-Down near the endzone Brees should cast an eye towards te Cook because the Bears have given up 12 scores in 16 games to the position.

-Despite averaging over 100 yards per game over the last month and a half rb Montgomery should have a bit of trouble vs a Saints D that has no glaring weaknesses.

-During their last 8 games they are top 3 vs the pass and the run in defensive DVOA. Their secret sauce? They’ve played against a qb-less Denver team, Nick Mullens, Atlanta (X2) and P.J. Walker.

-One last note on these Saints and something that I haven’t seen anything about. Their roster construction couldn’t possibly have been done better. Your qb goes down and Taysom is there with Jameis (on a cheap contract) waiting in the wings-and then Thomas is missing in action and Sanders picks it up. And then Kamara has problems and Lat Murray is there to fill the void. That’s a solid franchise that actually prepared for the possibility of injuries.

Diddle your fiddle down below.