5 Bold Predictions for the Chicago Bears' Week 15 Matchup

The Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints enter this week's prime-time matchup as two underachieving NFC teams looking to close out the season with some pride. 

While the Bears have nothing to play for, the Saints are still very much alive in the NFC South despite having only five wins. 

This week's predictions center around two struggling defenses, a wide receiver who can help your fantasy team and a fanbase in deep depression. 

Here are the five bold predictions for the Bears as they host New Orleans. 

Marquess Wilson Could Help You Win a Title

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The season was already depressing enough for the Bears, but it got worse when everybody saw Brandon Marshall go down with rib and lung injuries. 

With Marshall now on injured reserve, second-year man Marquess Wilson will jump into his spot. During last week's game against the Dallas Cowboys, Wilson saw five targets and had two catches. He should look to get anywhere from seven to 10 targets against a New Orleans defense very generous in the passing game. 

If you are in your fantasy playoffs or championship this week and need a flex guy because of Marshall or somebody else's injury, Wilson might not be a bad guy to turn to.

The Saints defense is ranked 29th in passing yards given up. There will be plenty to go around for the Bears, and Wilson could have a five-catch, 100-yard kind of day, maybe even with a touchdown. 

Bears Defense Will Awaken a Sleeping Giant

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You know what struggling Saints tight end Jimmy Graham needs right now to break out? A game against the Bears. 

The last time Graham played the Bears, he torched them to the tune of 10 catches for 135 yards. He's had only nine catches in his last three games combined. 

The Bears defense is just as putrid as the Saints defense against the pass. Graham should have a breakout game late in the year. 

There isn't a linebacker or safety on the Bears who can keep up with Graham. Worst of all, the pass rush hasn't been consistent enough to disrupt Drew Brees from getting him the ball. 

Graham will have at least seven catches for over 100 yards and a touchdown or two. 

Jay Cutler and Drew Brees Will Put Up Big Numbers

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Keeping with the theme of bad defenses, look for both quarterbacks to put up big-time numbers through the air. 

Defensive coordinators Mel Tucker and Rob Ryan could be lame ducks right now, and you have to question how hard their players are willing to sell out for them at this point. On a chilly night at Soldier Field, tackling and hard hitting could be optional for some defenders. 

While Jay Cutler and Drew Brees have had their fair share of turnovers this season, both quarterbacks should be able to carve up the opposition's defense. 

Look for Cutler and Brees to both throw for at least 250 yards with at least two touchdowns apiece. 

Soldier Field Will Have Zero Energy All Night

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Bears fans are tired of their team and the head coach, and they aren't willing to sit out in the cold to watch another poor performance. 

Soldier Field had a ton of open seats when the Cowboys came to town last week. Expect the same this week as Monday Night Football comes to town. 

With the holidays coming up and this game being on a weekday, there just isn't enough incentive for even diehard fans to want to sit through this. Expect no energy from the home crowd from kickoff all the way through the end of the game. 

Fans who will come to this game will likely voice their frustration with this team through clever signs and paper bags. Just remember to cut out the holes in the bags, but not too big, to see another disheartening performance. 

Bears Will Find a Way to Lose by Two Touchdowns

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The Bears are going to be able to move the football and score points against the Saints. The problem is the Saints are still playing for something despite their own struggles and will have no problem scoring on Chicago. 

It comes down to who wants it more, and when a team still has a chance to go to the playoffs, it will fight harder than the team just looking to end the season as soon as possible. 

This one will be close for a solid three quarters, with the score likely being in the high 20s by the time the fourth quarter begins, but bank on Drew Brees and Sean Payton to end this. 

Payton's play-calling, Brees' jump-ball passes to Jimmy Graham and a Jay Cutler turnover should be enough in the final quarter to put this one on ice for the Saints. 

Final score: 41-27 Saints, and Marc Trestman's seat starts to get scolding hot.