Just when it appeared the Bears would win their first preseason game of the year, the Saints came marching in with an eight-play, 82-yard scoring drive to salvage a 20-14 triumph Monday night at the Superdome.
The Bears fell to 0-3 and New Orleans improved to 4-0 when third-string quarterback Mike Buck passed 16 yards to Sammy Martin for a touchdown with 1:24 left. Martin beat rookie cornerback Keshon Johnson.
The Bears’ first bid for a miracle finish started from their 20, but Peter Tom Willis was sacked by Joel Smeenge and fumbled into the hands of cornerback Tyrone Hughes.
Rookie Rich Andrews kicked a 25-yard field goal with 42 seconds left as the Saints erased a 14-10 Bears lead in less than a minute.
But the Bears came back again in the closing seconds on Willis’ passing. His skyrocket heave was snatched out of a crowd by Terry Obee at the Saints’ 4-yard line as time expired.
The Bears continued to produce more questions than answers on offense while falling behind 10-0 by halftime, leaving them with one touchdown in the first 10 quarters of preseason football.
Quarterback Jim Harbaugh, who completed only 5 of 13 passes in the first half, remains confident in the new offense of coach Dave Wannstedt and offensive coordinator Ron Turner.
“I don’t have to manufacture a play; at times in the past, I felt that way,” said Harbaugh. “I have faith in this system and in making the proper reads and in moving the ball. So I feel there is pressure off me in that sense.”
The Saints have a quarterback derby among Wade Wilson, Steve Walsh and Buck. Wilson appears to have won the job. He started Monday night and completed 13 of 22 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown in his one half. Walsh started the second half.
“I’ve dealt with this type of thing the last six or seven years, and I know nothing is certain until the coach says so,” said Wilson, a former Viking. “And even then, it’s only a temporary thing if you don’t play well.”
The Bears were minus several key players on offense. Tailback Neal Anderson (hamstring) and receiver Anthony Morgan (concussion) remained in Chicago. Wide receiver/kick returner Curtis Conway (ankle) made the trip but did not dress.
Craig Heyward got a chance to run against his former teammates, and the 300-pound fullback gained 62 yards on 13 carries.
The Saints marched to the Bears’ 21-yard line before Wilson’s pass to Torrance Small was intercepted by safety Mark Carrier, who returned it 42 yards to his 47.
The Bears drove to the Saints’ 15 on the rushing of Craig Heyward and Darren Lewis. But Kevin Butler’s 32-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Jim Wilks with 2:02 left in the first quarter.
The Saints answered with a five-play, 60-yard drive climaxed by a 40-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Quinn Early, who beat cornerback Jeremy Lincoln over the middle. Morten Andersen converted for a 7-0 Saints lead with 12:30 remaining in the second period.
The Bears drove to the New Orleans 22 late in the half, but Harbaugh’s third-down pass into the end zone was intercepted by safety Bret Maxie.
The pass was intended for Wendell Davis, who was double-covered. Tom Waddle had entered the game on the play and had only single coverage on the left side.
The Saints drove to the Bears’ 35 before Andersen came in to attempt a 52-yard field goal with :04 left in the half. The kick was long enough, but wide left. Linebacker Ron Cox was detected holding, however, and the 5-yard penalty moved the ball to the Bears’ 30. This time, Andersen connected from 47 yards for a 10-0 lead as time ran out.
The Bears countered in the third quarter with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Harbaugh to tight end Danta Whitaker to cap a 14-play, 92-yard drive. Butler converted to make it 10-7 with 4:53 left in the third period.
The Saints were driving for another score early in the fourth period when defensive end Alonzo Spellman stripped the ball from Dalton Hilliard and Chris Zorich recovered at the New Orleans 29.
Willis then took over at quarterback. Harbaugh completed 10 of 19 passes for 102 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his longest stint of the preseason.
Willis connected on a 38-yard touchdown pass to Obee with 3:36 left to give the Bears a 14-10 lead.
Obee beat cornerback Tyrone Hughes and safety Sean Lumpkin, who blew their coverage. The Bears drove 80 yards in six plays.
