Allen Puts Bears’ Crosshairs on Saints’ Red Zone Woes
The upcoming Week 7 matchup between the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints is dripping with storylines, but none are more critical than Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen facing his former team. After being fired as the Saints’ head coach last season, Allen’s intimate knowledge of the organization is now being leveraged to expose a key Saints flaw: their inability to finish drives in the red zone.
Allen’s defensive unit, which is playing with a renewed focus on creating turnovers, will be zeroing in on a glaring weakness in the Saints’ offense. New Orleans currently ranks among the worst in the NFL in red zone efficiency, converting just 44.1% of their trips inside the 20-yard line into touchdowns.
This familiarity from Allen offers Chicago a significant tactical advantage. The Saints’ offense, quarterbacked by Spencer Rattler, has often been effective between the 20s, but consistently settles for field goals instead of seven points. The Bears’ defense, which is tied for the NFL lead with a +8 turnover differential, will aim to capitalize on this hesitation.
For the Bears, who are riding a three-game winning streak, the formula is clear: force New Orleans to drive the length of the field, and then clamp down ruthlessly when they cross the 20. Allen’s inside perspective on player tendencies and scheme preferences may be the extra edge the Bears need to secure their fourth straight victory at Soldier Field.