‘Monday Night Football’ live stream: How to watch Saints vs. Bears 2014 online

New Orleans aims for a key win while Chicago tries to gain back some respectability.

Dec 15, 2014, 11:00 PM UTC

Derick E Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears are both 5-8. Despite equal records, one has a terrific chance of making the playoffs while the other has already been eliminated. For the Saints, the salvation lies in being part of the horrid NFC South, where they could take the division lead with a win Chicago, in a division with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, was finished long ago.

New Orleans comes into the game on the heels of a 41-10 thrashing by the Carolina Panthers at the Superdome. Most years, the Saints are virtually unbeatable in the Bayou, but this season, the team has lost four consecutive home contests. On the road, New Orleans is 2-4 with wins in its previous two trips, including a 35-32 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As usual, the Saints will rely heavily on Drew Brees and the passing game to deliver a win. Brees has been excellent in 2014, throwing for 3,983 yards and 28 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. His main target is Jimmy Graham, who has hauled in 68 passes for 695 yards and nine touchdowns. Kenny Stills is also a key weapon for the first time in his young career, leading the team with 714 receiving yards.

Chicago has been an utter mess on both sides of the ball all season. With Brandon Marshall out for the rest of the yer due to busted ribs and a collapsed lung, the onus falls on Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte to make the offense hum. Forte has terrific despite the chaos, rushing for 854 yards and amassing 86 catches for 724 yards. Jeffery is the team leader with 949 yards and eight scores.

The main question surrounding the Bears is whether Marc Trestman will be retained. The second-year head coach is in the midst of a season well below expectations after finishing 8-8 in his first campaign.