Bears Triumph Over Saints 26-14 to Ignite Playoff Aspirations

The drama at Soldier Field on October 19, 2025, was thick enough to cut with a knife, as the Chicago Bears delivered a statement 26-14 victory over the New Orleans Saints, snapping an eight-game losing streak to their NFC rivals and igniting their playoff ambitions. It was a tale of two teams headed in opposite directions. The Bears, now riding a four-game win streak and boasting a 4-2 record, asserted themselves as legitimate NFC contenders. Meanwhile, the Saints, reeling at 1-6, were left with more questions than answers as they trudged off the field under the gray Chicago sky. Chicago wasted no time in setting the tone. Jake Moody’s reliable leg opened the scoring, and the relentless ground attack—highlighted by D’Andre Swift’s 11-yard touchdown sprint and a bruising one-yard plunge from Kyle Monangai—put the Bears up 20-0. The Saints’ offense, led by rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, seemed stuck in the mud, managing a mere 13 yards on 24 plays before a sudden spark. With just 27 seconds left in the first half, Rattler found Chris Olave streaking into the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown, injecting hope into the New Orleans sideline. Momentum appeared to shift as the Saints opened the second half with a determined 80-yard march, again capped by an Olave touchdown reception. The scoreboard now read 20-14, and the wind seemed to favor New Orleans. But the Bears would not be denied. Moody added two more field goals, and Chicago’s bruising rushing attack dominated the clock, keeping the Saints’ comeback hopes at bay. Statistically, the Bears outgained the Saints 386 to 253 and controlled the ball for nearly 36 minutes. D’Andre Swift was a force, tallying 124 yards on 19 carries, while Moody was perfect on all four field-goal attempts. For the Saints, Rattler’s day was a rollercoaster—he threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns to Olave, but his four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) proved costly. Olave was a lone bright spot, hauling in five passes for 98 yards and both Saints touchdowns. There were milestones amidst the heartbreak: Alvin Kamara surpassed 12,000 career scrimmage yards, though his 28 rushing yards on 11 attempts and three catches for one yard were far from vintage. Rookie corner Quincy Riley snatched his first career interception, picking off Chicago’s Caleb Williams in the first quarter. But injuries and missed opportunities—like Blake Grupe’s failed 53-yard field goal—doomed New Orleans. The Saints will try to regroup as they prepare to host the surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while the Bears, emboldened by this victory, look to continue their ascent in the NFC playoff race. For now, the Windy City belongs to the Bears, who proved that resilience and home-field passion can rewrite any narrative. Relive the key moments and see all the action in the official game gallery, and check out the full stats and highlights from this unforgettable clash on ESPN’s game page.