Check out some game action photos from the Saints-Bears Week 8 matchup in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Make it five in a row for the New Orleans Saints. A streak that started in Charlotte, continued in London, picked up steam back home vs. the Lions, survived a slow start in Green Bay, reached five games with a 20-12 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Like the Packers game, it wasn't easy, but the Saints (5-2) did enough to secure the win and their hold of first place in the NFC South. It is the team's first five-game winning streak since opening the 2013 season with 5-0 start. That season was the Saints' last playoff appearance.
Quarterback Drew Brees became just the third player in NFL history with at least 6,000 completions, the team's 1-2 punch at running back each scored touchdowns and the defense kept the Bears offense in check.
It was a struggle as Mark Ingram fumbled twice in the second half, the first setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Tarik Cohen that made it 17-12 after the Bears (3-5) failed to convert the 2-point attempt. The defense was able to stop the Bears after the second fumble and survived Chicago's final possession when rookie Marshon Lattimore intercepted Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
The Saints scored on an 8-yard run by Alvin Kamara on the opening possession and a 1-yard run by Ingram later in the first half. Kamara's score was set up by a 54-yard reception by Brandon Coleman and an offsides penalty on the Bears that allowed the Saints to keep driving instead of attempting a field goal.
Ingram's score capped an 80-yard drive and was set up by a 19-yard reception by Josh Hill to the 1-yard line.
The Saints offense could not get on track in the second half, with their only score being two Wil Lutz field goals one from 45 yards and one from 49 with 1:35 to play.
The Saints will host NFC South rival Tampa Bay (2-5) next Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome as they attempt to stretch their winning streak to six games, which would be the team's best since the 2011 season.
New Orleans Saints key stats
Drew Brees, 23 of 28 for 299 yards
Mark Ingram, 18 carries for 75 yards and one touchdown
Michael Thomas, seven catches for 77 yards
Chicago Bears key stats
Mitch Trubisky, 14 of 31 for 164 yards
Jordan Howard, 23 carries for 102 yards
Tre McBride, three catches for 92 yards