It took eight weeks for the Saints to play a game in Louisiana.
It took nine weeks – a little more than five quarters of play in Tiger Stadium – for the team to score a touchdown in its home state, and although New Orleans got on the board first, it was still not enough to overcome the Chicago Bears in a 20-17 loss on Sunday in Tiger Stadium.
Both teams had two fumbles along with a pair of interceptions by quarterback Aaron Brooks and one by Bears’ quarterback Kyle Orton.
Although both teams had numerous turnovers, the Bears were the only team to capitalize and use them to their advantage.
“If we put it all together for four quarters we will smash Chicago,” said Saints receiver Joe Horn. “Most of the time teams who turn over the ball the most will lose. I told [Brian] Urlacher – who is my friend – I said ‘Ya’ll are not that good.’ But their M.O. is getting turnovers. They weren’t even taking it. We were just like ‘Here you go.’ Turnovers will kill you.”
The Saints drove the ball to the Chicago three yard line on their first drive of the game but came up short of the endzone resulting in a 22-yard field goal by kicker John Carney.
On its next drive, New Orleans fumbled on the Chicago 20. The Bears recovered the ball and proceeded to drive 38 yards to take the lead 7-3.
The turnovers the Saints forced did not result in a touchdown or field goal.
“I am angry as hell,” Brooks said. “I want to cuss, fuss and everything else that comes with losing, but what does that solve? We have to get something positive out of it and move forward. We need to make this season more respectable.”
The Saints still managed to stay in the game with their first touchdown coming in the second quarter.
“We worked on turnovers all week,” Haslett said. “We got three turnovers and no points out of it. They get one and score. We have got to score touchdowns.”
Each time the Bears scored the Saints responded by tying the game twice, but the last minute field goal by Bears kicker Robbie Gould sealed the victory for Chicago.
“I thought we made a good effort last week, and an excellent effort this week,” said coach Jim Haslett. “We just blew a couple of routes and some protection. We just got beat.”
 
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