Tradition, history run right down the middle

CHICAGO -- The Mississippi River has provided a historical connection between Chicago and New Orleans. But the cities have little in common in their football identities. The Bears have a long, steady history and seven NFL championships. The Saints' march has been like a Mardi Gras parade, mostly a lot of good fun, until the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The Bears are 2 1/2-point favorites in today's NFC Championship game but New Orleans is a sentimental favorite.

"Everyone's got to play for something," Chicago tight end Desmond Clark said. "We are playing for a city, also. Our city is not in the same situation as theirs and, hopefully, no city has to go through what they have had to. They are doing something to revive their city but we can't go in feeling sorry for New Orleans."

The theory of "the colder, the better" has not held for Chicago in the recent past. The Bears lost at home to Washington (21-17) in 4-degree temperatures in the 1987 NFC divisional round and to San Francisco (28-3) in 17-degree temperatures in the '88 NFC Championship game. Last year's divisional game against Carolina had the warmest conditions (40 degrees) for a Chicago home playoff game since 1943, and the Bears lost, 29-21.

"If it is real windy, you just manage that; if it is real wet or snowing, you just manage it," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. "I don't think you should be overly worried about it. I don't think it will stop what we plan to do within our game plan. The only thing I think for a quarterback is grip. That is why you see guys wearing gloves for the snap or to grip the ball to throw it. That is all it is."

The Saints have a three-game road winning streak, outscoring opponents, 103-37. The Saints have not scored fewer than 30 points in a road game since a 21-18 loss at Carolina Oct. 1.

If the Bears win and move on to the Super Bowl, coach Lovie Smith could encounter Indianapolis's Tony Dungy, his former colleague in Tampa.

"I have fond memories of our time in Tampa, but most of the conversations were about building a program and taking it to the next level," Smith said. "We knew we were with a special group and we knew we were doing it the right way. We saw light at the end of the tunnel and good things happening."

Smith earned his reputation as a defensive coordinator and the Bears led the NFC in scoring defense, thanks in part to their ability to create turnovers (a league-high 44).

"I like our offense to score as much as possible and quickly," Smith said. "It doesn't really matter. We want scores and if we score quickly and the defense plays a few more plays, that's fine with us."

Smith said third-down situations will be a key to the outcome.

"First off, some stats aren't important, but third-down stats are in order to be successful," Smith said.

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.