BY THE NUMBERS
111
Jones’ and Benson’s combined rushing yards against Seattle on Sunday.
2
Jones scored twice against Seattle–including the first points of the game.
143
McAllister’s rushing yardage Sunday set a new team playoff record.
3
The Saints tandem accounted for the only touchdowns against the Eagles. Bush ran for a 4-yard touchdown and set up a field goal on a 25-yard run. McAllister scored twice.
JONES & BENSON
Thomas Jones (20) and Cedric Benson (32) must be successful against a Saints rush defense that ranked 23rd and was vulnerable against Philadelphia RB Brian Westbrook last week. If the Bears runs well, Rex Grossman can pick his spots to throw, because New Orleans has a strong pass rush led by ends Will Smith (101/2 sacks) and Charles Grant.
— BEARS
RUSH RK, RUSH AVG, N.O. VS. RUN
8th in NFL, 119.9 ypg, 13th in NFL
PLAYER, RUN, REC, TOT,% ofF.*
Jones 1,210 / 154 / 1,364 / 26.2%
Benson 647 / 54 / 701 / 13.5%
Combined 1,857 / 208 / 2,065 / 39.7%
MCALLISTER & BUSH
Deuce McAllister’s power, complemented by the dazzling moves and speed of rookie Reggie Bush (25), could be difficult for the Bears’ suddenly patchy defense to handle. Seattle moved well on the ground and in the air and pretty much neutralized All-Pro middle linebacker Brian Urlacher last week. The Saints have just as good an offensive line and a more diversified attack.
SAINTS —
RUSH RK, RUSH AVG, N.O. VS. RUN
11th in NFL, 110.1 ypg, 2nd in NFL
PLAYER, RUN, REC, TOT,% ofF.*
McAllister 1,057 / 198 / 1,255 / 20%
Bush 565 / 742 / 1,307 / 21%
Combined 1,622 / 940 / 2,562 / 41%
Both these backs are good solid backs.
They run real powerful. … Watching that game against Seattle the other day was really the first time I got to see their offense. … It is kind of a two-headed monster. I’ve seen our offense, the problems that they pose for the defense, and it’s a lot to prepare for.” SAINTS LB SCOTT FUJITA
“Our number one concern is stopping Deuce McAllister.
We want to stop the run every week. So he is our main concern right now, especially after what he did last week. … Reggie is an explosive guy. He catches the ball well, and he’s pretty good in the open field. So we’ve just got to try and get 11 guys to the football and make some plays.” BEARS LB BRIAN URLACHER
“I have identity problems until people meet me and say, ‘You’re not the Will Smith I thought you were.’ And I just tell them I’m a measly old football player who plays for the Saints. ” SAINTS DE WILL SMITH
“He’s passed for over 4,000 yards. I don’t even drive that far.”
CHARLES TILLMAN [ the Bears cornerback on New Orleans QB Drew Brees ]
Joe Buck, Jimmy Johnson, Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long will be on hand Sunday as the “Fox NFL Sunday” traveling road show visits Chicago for the first time this season. They will do the show from the southwest corner of the field, where it figures to get plenty rowdy.
