My Pierre Thomas Blog

The Chicago Bears (7-6, 6-6-1 ATS) deal with the NFL's best offense when they host the surging New Orleans Saints (7-6, 9-4 ATS) on Thursday Night Football.

Public bettors don't seem too concerned about the Bears' predicament: About 64% of wagers on the spread have come in on Chicago as slight early favorites. That type of action could move the line in the Bears' direction before kickoff, although the numbers could change once wise guys start weighing in on the matchup.

The Saints maintained their stake in the NFC postseason picture with a huge 29-25 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, as New Orleans covered as 3-point home favorites. Running back Pierre Thomas' 5-yard touchdown run with 5:54 remaining put the Saints ahead for good, while the teams played over the 51.5-point total.

Thomas finished with 102 yards on 16 carries for the Big Easy, who got 106 all-purpose yards with a score from Reggie Bush. Quarterback Drew Brees was an uncharacteristically quiet 18-of-32 for 230 yards with two touchdowns, as the Saints relied on a running game that put up 184 yards - by far a season-high for New Orleans, winners of three of its last four games (4-0 ATS).

The Saints' potent attack could prove problematic for the Bears, who are ranked 28th in the league against the pass at 234.2 yards per game. Behind Brees, New Orleans is first in total offense (405.9 yards per game), first in passing yards per game (310.2), and third in points scored (28.2 PPG). What has kept the Saints from doing even better than their profitable 9-4 ATS record would suggest has been the running game, which is near the bottom of the league at 95.7 yards per game.

Enter Thomas, who is hitting his stride following almost two seasons as the Saints' No. 3 back. The undrafted RB had the best game of his short career in New Orleans' 33-25 loss at Chicago (-1) last December 30, rushing for 105 yards on 20 attempts while hauling in 12 balls for 121 yards through the air with a TD.

It's not as if Thomas has to be the second coming of LaDainian Tomlinson for the Saints. If Thomas can combine with Bush to give New Orleans backers some balance like they did last week against the Falcons, life gets a lot easier for Brees and suddenly New Orleans is one of the league's best teams.

Like the Saints, the Bears are on the outside looking in at the NFC playoff picture, although both teams are potentially a few wins away from grabbing a wild card spot. Chicago is coming off a 23-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Soldier Field, as the Bears rolled to the bank as 6.5-point faves.

QB Kyle Orton was 20-of-34 for 219 yards with two TD passes and an interception, while Devin Hester caught five passes for 80 yards for Chicago. The Bears managed to cruise despite an off-game from RB Matt Forte, who has become Chicago's main offensive weapon in light of Orton's overall poor play since spraining his ankle last month. Forte was held to only 69 yards rushing on 21 attempts, although the Bears defense made up for it by holding the Jaguars to only 159 yards through the air.

New Orleans is dealing with some injuries that might not heal by Thursday night. Cornerback Randall Gay left in the first quarter against Atlanta with a concussion, and is listed as questionable for the game against Chicago. Kick returner Courtney Roby could also sit out after heading for the trainer's table in the third quarter after suffering a right ankle injury.

Outside of Gay and Roby, the bigger question is whether defensive end Will Smith and RB Deuce McAllister will suit up after playing against the Falcons on appeal from the NFLPA. Both Smith and McAllister were handed a four-game suspension for violating the league's anti-doping policy last week, but were cleared to play on Sunday after a federal judge ruled he needed more time to review their respective cases.

Dennis Reynolds

I play cards and bet on sports for a living

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