Week 3: Saints 29, Bears 23

SAINTS 29, BEARS 23

Fresh out of miracles

After so many Sundays of living on the edge, the Bears fell off.

A-Train left in station on big play

Of all the things Anthony Thomas did Sunday in his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, it was the one thing he didn't do that stood out most in the Bears' 29-23 loss to New Orleans.

Young secondary does primary damage

If only the Bears played the Saints with the same ferocity as they defended Reggie Austin afterward, maybe they don't lose Sunday.

Austin soars, then crashes

Cornerback Reggie Austin's first NFL start began the way he'd always hoped, but it didn't end that way. His early interception to set up his team's first touchdown was overshadowed by a missed tackle that allowed wide receiver Donté Stallworth to score the deciding points in the Bears' 29-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Fred Mitchell answers e-mails

Q Why did the Bears line up Brian Urlacher as a wide receiver on that two-point conversion in the first half?

Big Cat starts in 121st straight

James "Big Cat" Williams ran his streak of consecutive starts to 121 when he opened at right tackle Sunday against New Orleans.

Brooks wakes up troops

Standing on the sideline with his team down 20-0, New Orleans coach Jim Haslett turned to quarterback Aaron Brooks and said, "Are you scared?"

Saints alive! They're unbeaten

Two lost fumbles. An interception. Ten penalties for 91 yards. A 20-point deficit. The pain of it all.

UP NEXT: BUFFALO

QBs in command on demand

Brian Griese and the Denver Broncos are expected to win. Drew Bledsoe and the Buffalo Bills are expected to entertain. Both missions were accomplished Sunday as the Broncos prevailed 28-23.

Play-by-play commentary

It's New Orleans this week. Home of paper-bag-wearing fans, the Neville and Marsalis clans, crawfish Po' Boys, Girls Gone Wild and Super Bowl XX. Bears 46, Patriots 10. Grab your beignets and café au lait. Aiee!

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