Chicago - The New Orleans Saints took a 14-0 halftime lead over the Chicago Bears on Monday at Soldier Field after quarterback Drew Brees hit Marques Colston with a 9-yard touchdown strike.
The pass capped off a 10-play, 95-yard drive that featured Brees' pin-point passer. Brees, playing in his 200th game in the NFL, was 18 of 20 for 226 yards and two TDs in the first half. He now has passed 4,000 yards passing in his ninth consecutive season, an NFL record.
Tight end Josh Hill caught Brees' first touchdown pass, an 8-yard completion, to end an 85-yard scoring drive.
Running back Pierre Thomas was especially effective in the screen game, catching five passes for 83 yards. Colston finished the half with four catches for 58 yards.
The Saints' defense was dominant in the first half in shutting out the Bears. New Orleans intercepted Bears quarterback twice (Patrick Robinson, Pierre Warren) and sacked him three times. Running back Matt Forte was the Bears' best offensive weapon as he carried 10 times for 45 yards. Cutler finished the half 6 of 14 for 56 yards.
The lone Saints miscue came on their first possession when receiver Nick Toon fumbled at the 4-yard line after a Bears defender put his helmet directly on the football.
