No one is satisfied with being _this close_ to winning, including the New Orleans Saints. In a results-driven business, New Orleans still seeks to string together a succession of positive results.
After splitting two home games, the Saints (1-5) are back on the road for Sunday's game against the Bears (3-2) at Soldier Field in Chicago. Three one-score losses this season suggest the Saints are doing something right; they just have to do a little bit more in order to pick up their second win. Here are some thoughts:
### **1\. WAKE UP**
New Orleans has been outscored 65-16 in the first quarter. Additionally, each of the last four opponents has scored a touchdown on its first two offensive possessions. It's difficult to start slow every game and hope to rally to victory, and the Saints know that all too well this season. A few defensive stops early will hopefully give time for a struggling offense to find its footing, but the Saints desperately need to find a way to eliminate the self-sabotage. Part of that may be for the defense to be more aggressive from the outset. Part of it _definitely_ is avoiding drive-sustaining defensive penalties, and forcing an early turnover never hurt the cause. Whatever it takes, keep the Bears out of the end zone and get off the field.
### **2\. WAKE UP: PART II**
The offense doesn't get off the hook on this theme; 16 points in the first quarter this season — 2.7 per game, tied for fourth fewest in the league — is putting too much stress on the defense. It's called "complementary football" for a reason, and the Saints aren't complementing each other enough. It hasn't been enough for quarterback [Spencer Rattler](/team/players-roster/spencer-rattler/) to not turn over the ball. He has to lead the unit to touchdowns — not field goals — early enough to give the defense some margin for error. Expect the Bears and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, a former Saints head coach, to liberally send pressure to see how Rattler holds up.