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Mike Ditka: Bears, Saints Are 'The Two Best Teams I've Watched This Year'
November 19, 2018
Former NFL head coach Mike Ditka believes two teams stand out from the pack this season, and they're the same two teams he coached during his time on the sideline.
During an interview with TMZ Sports, Ditka said the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints are the cream of the crop in the NFL.
"I look at [the Bears] and I look at the Saints, and these are the two best teams I've watched this year," Ditka said.
The Hall of Famer added that Chicago "[has] the talent on that football team to go on to the Super Bowl and win it."
The Saints aren't a controversial pick as one of the NFL's top teams.
New Orleans is 9-1 and defeated the Los Angeles Rams 45-35 in Week 9 in a matchup of two Super Bowl contenders. Drew Brees threw for 346 yards and four touchdowns, while Alvin Kamara had 116 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.
According to ESPN.com, the Saints' .500 strength-of-victory percentage is first among the NFC's top 10 teams.
Ditka's assessment of the Bears might have raised some eyebrows a few weeks ago, but Chicago has won its last four games, including a 25-20 contest against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.
If the adage about defenses winning championships holds true in 2018, then the Bears will be a more credible Super Bowl threat than the Saints, Rams or Kansas City Chiefs, another 9-1 team. According to Football Outsiders, Chicago ranked first in defensive efficiency heading into Week 11. New Orleans, Los Angeles and Kansas City were 27th, 20th and 25th, respectively.
The Bears will have an opportunity to bolster their title credentials when they welcome the Rams on Dec. 9.