Chicago - A wild first half that saw all kinds of unusual plays ended in fairly conventional fashion with the New Orleans Saints leading the Chicago Bears 12-10 on Sunday at Soldier Field.
The oddball activity started immediately as Saints special teams ace J.T. Gray blocked Chicago's punt only to see it illegally batted out of the end zone by punter Pat O'Donnell, which equals a safety. The Saints increased their lead to 9-0 after safety Vonn Bell forced and recovered a fumble in Bears territory, leading to a 7-yard touchdown pass from Teddy Bridgewater to tight end Josh Hill.
The fumble recovery by Bell was his fourth of the season, the most by a Saints since safety Sammy Knight had four in 2001.
But the Bears struck right back with a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Cordarelle Patterson, the seventh of his career.
The teams then traded field goals with Saints kicker Wil Lutz setting an NFL record as his 39-yard field goal was the 35th consecutive road field goal he has made. Lutz had a chance to increase his record and grow the Saints lead but his 42-yard attempt missed to the right with 2:17 to play in the half.
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan sacked Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in the second quarter, his sixth sack of the season and No. 77.5 in his career, which moved him out of a tie with legendary Saints linebacker Pat Swilling for third all-time in franchise history.
With star running back Alvin Kamara inactive, the Saints relied on receiver Michael Thomas and running back Latavius Murray to move the ball. Thomas had seven catches for 87 yards and Murray ran the ball nine times for 30 yards.
In addition to the blocked punt for a safety, the Saints tipped another punt and had a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown by Deonte Harris wiped out by a holding penalty.
The Saints lost reserve cornerback Patrick Robinson to a hamstring injury. He is questionable to return.
For first half stats, click here.
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray (28) is tackled by Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) and outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (50) plays against Chicago Bears running back Mike Davis (25) during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears punter Pat O'Donnell (16) chases down the ball into the end zone after a blocked punt by the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. The play resulted in a safety for the Saints. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill (89) runs in for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints fullback Zach Line (42) runs against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears kicker Eddy Pineiro (15) kicks a field goal against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) throws against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) pitches to wide receiver Anthony Miller (17) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The New Orleans Saints huddle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz (3) is congratulated by holder Thomas Morstead during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson (12) cuts in front of New Orleans Saints strong safety Vonn Bell (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is chased by Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) drops a pass in the end zone as he's hit by Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) its tackled by Chicago Bears strong safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) and cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray (28) dives in for a touchdown between Chicago Bears inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) and free safety Eddie Jackson (39) during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray (28) dives in for a touchdown between Chicago Bears inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) and free safety Eddie Jackson (39) during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray (28) dives in for a touchdown between Chicago Bears inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) and free safety Eddie Jackson (39) during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray (28) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray (28) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
New Orleans Saints outside linebacker A.J. Klein (53) celebrates a fumble recovery against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints strong safety Vonn Bell (24) celebrates a sack with outside linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints strong safety Vonn Bell (24) celebrates a sack with outside linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Deonte Harris (11) returns a punt for an apparent touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. The play was negated by a holding call on the Saints. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Deonte Harris (11) returns a punt for an apparent touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. The play was negated by a holding call on the Saints. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) runs against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) runs after a catch against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) pressures Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
