NFL: Chicago 27, New Orleans 24 (OT)

Robbie Gould’s 28-yard field goal in the final seconds tied the game Thursday and his 35-yarder 2:46 into overtime gave Chicago a 27-24 win over New Orleans.

New Orleans scored 17 unanswered points after halftime to take the lead, but Chicago pulled out the victory thanks to consecutive drives of 60 yards and 52 yards, led by Kyle Orton and helped along by a key interference penalty.

Needing a field goal to tie it, the Bears took over at their own 30 with 3:03 to play in the fourth period and Orton completed 8-of-11 passes to set up Gould’s 28-yarder with 2 seconds remaining.

The Bears then won the toss to start the extra period and they soon faced third down needing seven yards at their own 47. Orton attempted to hit Devin Hester with a long pass and interference was called on the Saints’ Roman Harper at the New Orleans 15. Gould kicked the game-winner two plays later.

At 8-6, Chicago moved within a half game of Minnesota for the lead in the NFC North. New Orleans (7-7) was all but removed from the wild-card chase.

Minnesota, which currently owns a tiebreak advantage over the Bears thanks to a better conference record, plays at Arizona Sunday.

Chicago took a 21-7 halftime lead, thanks in part to Danieal Manning returning the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown. Drew Brees put the Saints in front 24-21 on an 11-yard scoring pass to Marques Colston with 3:05 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Brees and Orton were intercepted twice each.