CHICAGO (AP) – Drew Brees threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Josh Hill on the first play of the second quarter to give the New Orleans Saints a 7-0 lead over the Chicago Bears on Monday night.
The Saints finally went ahead after wasting several opportunities in the first quarter. They took advantage after Kyle Fuller was called for a 17-yard pass-interference penalty trying to defend Jimmy Graham, putting the ball on the 8.
On the next play, Brees rolled to his right and found an open Hill, who lunged across the goal line for the touchdown. That gave the Saints the lead after they got pounded 41-10 by Carolina at home last week.
New Orleans and Chicago came in with 5-8 records. But while the Bears are out of the playoff race, the Saints still have a shot at the NFC South title. They began the night percentage points behind Carolina and a half-game ahead of Atlanta after dropping four of five.
The Saints wasted a big scoring opportunity in the early going.
New Orleans took over at the Chicago 24 after Patrick Robinson intercepted a pass that tipped off Martellus Bennett’s hands on the game’s third play from scrimmage. Rather than grab the lead, the Saints quickly gave the ball back.
Nick Toon got stripped by Brock Vereen after a 10-yard reception and Jared Allen made the recovery at the 3.
The Saints came away empty-handed on their next possession when Shayne Graham’s 51-yard field-goal attempt fell short.
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