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Normally two consecutive comfortable victories would fill a team with good feelings. For the Chicago Bears, though, it is more likely to raise questions. There's no shortage of queries. For starters, where was the defensive effort that led to five turnovers, four sacks and a safety during the rest of a desultory season? Why was the offense so conservative all year before taking the wraps off in Week 17?

Two questions focus on two of the team's best players in particular. During the first half of the season, when Brian Urlacher was struggling with a back injury, why didn't they give him some time off? He finally seemed healthy over the last month of the season and the proof was in his play. Two sacks and three interceptions, including one today, in his final three weeks. He dominated the Saints in the second half, seemingly in on every hit, and looked every inch the player of his reputation. How much of a difference would it have made if Urlacher was healthier earlier in the season?

The other question is one that's been asked since the earliest days of the season. Why wasn't Devin Hester a bigger part of the offense?

His 55-yard touchdown catch preceded his NFL record setting sixth kick return for a score and those two touchdowns provided, essentially, the final margin of victory. They even gave him the ball on a reverse that was supposed to be a pass. It failed, but at least the effort was there. The old saying goes better late than never but, for Bears fans, that's small consolation.

Those questions are just a few of the ones the Bears will have to answer this offseason but at least they leave the year with a good taste in their mouth. The Saints, on the other hand, have no such good fortune. They lost their last two games to miss out on a return trip to the playoffs and, in each loss, the main culprit was a secondary ill-equipped to stop even mediocre passing games. Kyle Orton was far from perfect today and doesn't have the strongest arm but he consistently found good gains through the air. The Saints need to build a better defense this offseason to return to the postseason.

They only have themselves to blame for kicking to Hester, the NFL equivalent of eating fugu. It might not kill you but what's the point of tempting fate just so you can say you tried something? Their offense went nowhere after Marques Colston, two first half TDs, left the game with an injury. Drew Brees set a NFL record for completions but most were swing passes and check-offs to Pierre Thomas. The fourth-string running back had a career day in his home town by rushing and receiving for more than 100 yards.

Small consolations abound for these two teams, who last met in the NFC Championship Game. Both finish 7-9 this time around and don't look anywhere near that level. There's a lot of work to be done to get back there but, for the Bears at least, Hester and Urlacher provided a brief reminder of why hopes were so high at one point this year.