The New Orleans Saints’ 26–14 loss to the Chicago Bears wasn’t just another mark in the loss column but a reflection of how far this Saints team remains from finding consistency.

In a game that offered chances to change the season’s trajectory, New Orleans instead repeated the same mistakes that have defined its struggles all year. Here are three takeaways:

Turnovers Erase Any Chance at Momentum

First, turnovers killed the Saints’ chance of finding any momentum.

The Bears' defense forced four takeaways: three interceptions and a fumble against New Orleans quarterback Spencer Rattler, who, despite completing 20-of-32 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns, gave the ball away too often.

These miscues set the tone.

Rather than building the game slowly and gaining control, the Saints repeatedly handed Chicago short fields and the chance to build rhythm off New Orleans’ mistakes.

For a team already under pressure at 1-5, this kind of turnover differential isn’t just an occasional slip; it becomes a recurring theme controlling the narrative of the season.

No Ground Game, No Control

Second, the run game and clock control simply weren’t there.

The Bears rushed for 222 yards, a stark contrast to a Saints unit that couldn’t consistently sustain drives or stay on the field. It's now one that, moving forward, will be without running back Kendre Miller for the season.

New Orleans has made a habit this year of letting opponents dictate tempo, instead of responding proactively. Against a Chicago team that leaned into their strengths, the Saints looked disjointed in comparison. The imbalance showed in field position, structure, and ultimately scoreboard leverage.

Defense Fails to Deliver When it Counts

Third, the defensive effort lacked its usual spark when it mattered.

While New Orleans had moments of resistance, the Bears capitalized on their ability to punch in short-yardage scores and convert in critical situations. Chicago also capitalized on miscues and prevented the Saints from ever trending upward.

Even when New Orleans trimmed the lead, they never seized control.

For a defense that was supposed to be the stabilizing force this season, this outing exposed fragility in blown coverages, missed tackles, and the absence of game-changing plays. 

Outlook

The loss doesn’t feel fresh in theme; the Saints have been here before.

What makes this one mean a bit more is not only that they lost, but how they lost. The pieces don’t look broken individually: the quarterback hit two touchdowns, the wideout got his connection, the team ran some plays. But the cohesion was missing.

For New Orleans, the path forward isn’t a matter of completely reinventing; it’s about correcting repetition, demanding accountability, and refusing to concede momentum simply because the opponent knocked the door down first.