NEW ORLEANS — The Saints had a solid if not sterling victory over the Chicago Bears in the first round of the playoffs to advance to a third meeting with the Tampa Bay Bucs and playoff veteran Tom Brady.
The Saints started slowly and led only 7-3 at the half, but they solidly outpunched the Bears in the second half for the 21-9 win.
Next Sunday night they'll face the Tampa Bay Bucs for the third time this season. The Saints won the last two matchups, including a 38-3 win in their last meeting in Tampa.
Here's what some of the national pundits have to say.
- Matchup for the Ages: Brady, Brees III - Mike Triplett, ESPN
- Brees, Saints will need to be better against Brady, Bucs - Nancy Armour, USA Today
- Brees likely to retire when playoff run ends - Cassandra Negley, Yahoo!
- Legendary QBs to meet in divisional playoff - Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports
- Saints defense shines in opening win - Kevin Patra, NFL.com