NFL Nation: New Orleans
AP Photo/Ed ZurgaLaDainian Tomlinson isn't ready to hang up his cleats yet.Baltimore
Why: Tomlinson said after he was kept by San Diego in 2009 that he thought Baltimore could have been a potential landing spot.
Denver
Why: Tomlinson is still effective at the goal line. Denver struggled in short yardage last season.
Green Bay
Why: The Packers could use a veteran presence in the backfield.
Houston
Why: Texans coach Gary Kubiak has long been a fan of Tomlinson’s.
Kansas City
Why: The Chiefs could use a veteran mentor for young star Jamaal Charles.
New Orleans
Why: Tomlinson and Drew Brees, the king of New Orleans, would love to reunite.
Washington
Why: Mike Shanahan loves veterans and he was a huge admirer of Tomlinson’s while he was in Denver.
Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert
New Orleans Saints (7-6) at Chicago Bears (7-6), 8:15 p.m. ET
There should be a playoff atmosphere at Soldier Field for a game with huge postseason implications for both sides. The Bears need a victory to preserve their hope for a division title; a loss will give Minnesota a chance to clinch the NFC North as early as Sunday. New Orleans, meanwhile, will be all but eliminated by a victory.
On a neutral field, you probably wouldn't like the Bears' chances -- not with a defense that has given up the fifth-most passing yards in the NFL. (In case you weren't aware, New Orleans' Drew Brees is on track to break Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a season.)
But the forecast is -- quite literally -- more favorable at Soldier Field. Wind chills are expected to dip into the teens by kickoff, and the Saints have lost five of six games away from the Superdome. But just for good measure, the Bears will try to use their delayed no-huddle offense to control the ball and keep Brees off the field.
