METAIRIE ― When the NFL announced the New Orleans Saints’ schedule for 2008, folks likely circled Dec. 11.

That’s when for the third time in three seasons, Sean Payton would lead his crew into Soldier Field.

And it would come with side order of cold weather.

Really cold weather.

Photo by Alex Brandon / The Associated Press

Saints running back Reggie Bush (25) outruns the Atlanta defense Sunday. For the first time this season, Bush and his teammates will have to contend with cold weather when they play at Chicago Thursday night. New Orleans also has to deal with playing four days after its previous game, a 29-25 win over Atlanta.

Intellicast.com lists a high of 28 and a low of 18 for Thursday.

Now, with the Saints’ season on the line one more time, they’ll have to find a way to win in below-freezing temperatures.

If not, the Bears likely turn the Saints away from the playoffs once more, adding to a list that includes the 2006 NFC Championship game and last year’s season finale.

“As much as I say I’m sick of going back to Chicago, I’m actually looking forward to it this time around because I think we’re due,” Saints linebacker Scott Fujita said.

Revenge, too, could play a little bit of a factor in a game with big playoff implications.

Chicago and New Orleans are tied at a game out of the final NFC playoff spot. A loss effectively ends most hope for a postseason berth.

“You can probably say that,” Saints fullback Mike Karney said. “They’ve pretty much handled us the past two times. I think it’s time for us to get them back.”

If it happens, the Saints will win in temperatures unfamiliar to them. Sure, some have played college football and some professional games in cold temperatures. But most of this club is used to playing in a temperature-perfect dome or in warm weather.

Thursday night will be a wake-up call. A cold one, Fujita said.

“You never get used to the cold weather, you just become less shocked by it,” said Fujita, who played in traditionally cold Kansas City for three seasons. “They’re going to be just as cold as we are, but they won’t be shocked when they come out of the tunnel the first time.

“It’s going to sting a little bit.”

But is more made of an indoor team playing in a cold-weather environment?

Head coach Sean Payton isn’t focused on that, saying that it doesn’t really matter what the temperature is at game time.

“The trick is to deal with the mental part as much as anything,” Payton said. “Just something we’re going to have to deal with and be able to get through and handle. We’ve done it in the past and played in cold weather and played good games.”

More than the cold weather, however, will be how New Orleans reacts to playing four days after its most recent game.

Several players said their bodies don’t fully recover from the pounding of a Sunday afternoon game until Wednesday or even Thursday.

This week’s schedule has the team practicing Tuesday – their normal off day – and Wednesday before flying to Chicago after Wednesday’s practice.

“The key now is to maybe back off some of the physical work,” Payton said. “Maybe it becomes a little more mental work this point in the season. Just be mindful of keeping the guys fresh.”

Bradley Handwerger can be reached at bhandwerger@wwltv.com or 504-529-6439.