Saints Josh Hill Can Help Neutralize Ferocious Bears Defense

Saints Josh Hill could deliver surprising offensive production for the New Orleans Saints offense against a big play Chicago Bears defense, especially if Jared Cook cannot play on Sunday.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Hill has emerged as an unlikely weapon for the New Orleans Saints as they prepare to battle the Chicago Bears Sunday afternoon in Soldier Field.  The Saints listed Jared Cook Thursday afternoon on the team’s injury report with an ankle injury.  New Orleans may still be without wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith for this contest, who continues to struggle with an ankle injury.  To make matters worse, ankle and knee injuries may slow Saints’ star running back Alvin Kamara, if he can play at all.

The team still has All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas, who is playing at the top of his game. Tight end Jared Cook has also played good football over the last two games. Latavius Murray has produced some key plays at running back, and the Saints offensive line has been a fortress in protecting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. New Orleans may have some offensive success on Sunday from an unlikely contributor, tight end Josh Hill. 

Chuck Cook - USA TODAY SPORTS

The New Orleans Saints face one of the NFL’s best defenses over the previous few seasons this Sunday, when they travel to battle the Chicago Bears in Soldier Field. The Saints come into the game with a 5-1 record, holding a one game lead in the NFC South over the Carolina Panthers. Chicago meanwhile, remains in third place behind the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings with a 3-2 record in the NFC North.

The New Orleans offense continues to be without quarterback Drew Brees, out the last four games while rehabbing a thumb injury. The Saints have won all four contests without their iconic signal caller, but now take on one of the league’s most opportunistic and rugged defensive units.  

Saints tight-end Josh Hill is in his seventh year with the Saints, joining them as an undrafted free agent from Idaho State. He has 92 career receptions for 877 yards and 11 touchdowns, including 9 catches for 78 yards this season. Some believed that Hill would be the logical successor to Jimmy Graham when the Saints traded the All-Pro to Seattle after the 2014 season. While it turned out that Hill was too limited as a receiver for that to happen, the 29-year-old has turned out to be one of the league’s best blockers at the position, and therefore a valuable asset in the team’s offense. 

Jeremy Ballard - USA TODAY SPORTS

Hill’s blocking ability will be an important tool against a fifth ranked Chicago run defense surrendering only 83 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry. While Hill hopes to help the Saints establish control of the line of scrimmage and maintain offensive balance, it may be his contributions in the passing game which makes the biggest difference. New Orleans linemen Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk are the finest tandem of offensive tackles in the league. The offensive line has contained a few of the best pass rushers in the game the last two years, now square off with one that most consider the finest pass rusher in the league in Khalil Mack. 

The Bears All-Pro Mack has 17 quarterback sacks and 10 forced fumbles in his nineteen games with Chicago, including 4.5 takedowns and four forced fumbles this season. Both Ramczyk and Armstead have the skills to take on the Bears superstar, whichever side he lines up on, but expect Hill to provide outside double team help in many situations. The 6’5 250-lb tight end may also be used as a short yardage receiving weapon to offset Chicago’s heavy pass rush, particularly if Kamara is slowed. 

Chuck Cook - USA TODAY SPORTS

Hill has been most effective as a receiver in the flat and on tight end screens throughout his career, and Chicago has been susceptible to opposing tight-ends this season. The Bears have allowed 33 completions and 288 yards from the position so far. Perhaps not game breaking numbers, but enough for opponents to control possession of the ball against them. That bodes well for not only Jared Cook but also Hill, who could benefit from the Bears’ attention to Cook, Michael Thomas, and Ted Ginn Jr. Hill is no stranger to making Chicago pay for overlooking him. He had 2 touchdown receptions in the 2014 Monday Night Football battle against the Bears in Chicago, and could be a key short yardage target again. Expect Hill to chip Mack on several passing plays to slow his rush, then run a short route in the flat to give Bridgewater a checkdown option.

The New Orleans Saints have won four straight games without Brees by being successful at the little things in all three phases of the game. A little-used receiver like Josh Hill may prove to be the difference in what I expect to be a close and hard-fought battle between these two NFC contenders.