New Orleans at Chicago -- Sunday, 3 p.m. ET

	Thomas Jones powered his way to two touchdowns against the Seahawks. Al Messerschmidt/Wire Image
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New Orleans continues its magical ride this season. The Saints - who joined the NFL in 1967 as an expansion team - will appear in their first conference championship to offer more salve to post-Katrina New Orleans. The Saints are the first team in NFL history to reach a conference championship after losing as many as 13 games in the previous season.

In Chicago, Rex Grossman's rollercoaster season is on a thrilling upswing, with Chicago's first playoff victory since 1995. Grossman wouldn't be in this position without the support of Lovie Smith, who handled a budding quarterback controversy with aplomb. Smith is the NFL's lowest-paid coach, but he's due for a huge raise after leading the club to its second straight division title while upgrading a once-feeble offense.

Matchup History

The Bears and Saints have played just once before in the postseason. The Bears beat the visiting Saints 16-6 in a wild card matchup after the 1990 season.

Key Matchups

BEARS PASSING GAME vs. SAINTS SECONDARY

Saints cornerback Fred Thomas appears overmatched against the speed of wideout Bernard Berrian. New Orleans's other cornerback, Mike McKenzie, should hold up against Muhsin Muhammad. If the Saints switch up their cornerbacks, the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Thomas would get muscled by Muhammad. Expect the New Orleans safeties to help their corners. But in this scenario, Chicago would gladly turn to its power running game of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, the way it did against Seattle.

SAINTS DEFENSIVE LINE vs. BEARS OFFENSIVE LINE

The Saints defensive line should have an edge against Chicago's offensive line. Expect New Orleans' defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith to overpower Chicago's offensive tackles Fred Miller and John Tait and pressure Grossman.

Bears X-Factors

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE 

After reveling in the emotional boost of the Superdome, the Saints must now deal with the elements of Soldier Field: noise, wind, cold weather. New Orleans has played in inclement weather and loud stadiums this season, but nothing quite like at Soldier Field. The Saints have myriad speedy players, but that asset will be somewhat neutralized in Chicago. It helps that the Saints have an unflappable veteran in Drew Brees, who makes sharp decisions and manages the game well.

DEVIN HESTER 

Seattle happily gave up some field position rather than risk having him return one for a touchdown. Hester bobbled a couple of punts before having a touchdown return nullified by a penalty. It's just a matter of time for the rookie who set an NFL record with six returns for scores.

Saints X-Factors

REGGIE BUSH

Bush is a special player who can affect a team in multiple ways: rushing, receiving, returning kicks. His rushing didn't match the hype this season, but as Bush showed against Philly, he's capable of scoring any time he touches the ball.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Sure, Chicago's defensive line is talented, but it's not quite the same without its difference-maker: Tommie Harris. New Orleans' offensive line has been surprisingly sturdy this season and should be able to neutralize the Bears up front.

Coaching Edge

It's an enticing matchup between the offensive creativity of Sean Payton and the defensive acumen of Lovie Smith. With New Orleans' explosive offense, Payton employs myriad motions and formations while adroitly using Deuce McAllister and Bush as a devastating tandem. The Saints had almost 30 new players on the opening-day roster, but Payton guided them to only their second playoff victory in their 39-year history. This year, Payton has an edge against any coach, including Smith.

PREDICTION

The Saints led the NFL with an average of 391.5 yards per game. But New Orleans' defense is its Achilles' heel. Good Grossman will show up while Chicago's defense lives up to its billing and leads the team to the Super Bowl. Bears 30, Saints 21