Bears-Seahawks Preview: Analysis and Prediction

The Bears travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks this weekend, in what should be a pretty good football showdown in the rainiest city in the USA.

Here is your quick-hit viewer’s guide and Jerod’s pick from this week’s NFL TV schedule and point spread post:

Chicago Bears (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1)

• Bears-Seahawks Date: Sunday, September 27th
• Bears-Seahawks Time: 4:05 ET
• Bears-Seahawks TV Network: Dick Stockton and Charles Davis
• Bears-Seahawks Announcers: FOX
• Bears-Seahawks Point Spread: Bears -2.5
• Bears-Seahawks Over-Under: 37
• Bears-Seahawks Pick by Jerod: Poor Matt Hasselbeck. He just can’t seem to stay healthy anymore. If he were healthy and playing, I think they’d be a good bet to win and certainly to cover 2.5 points. However, I think last week’s win was a big confidence builder for Jay Cutler and the Bears. And after seeing what Frank Gore did to Seattle last week, Matt Forte will no doubt be ready for his 2009 breakout game. I think he gets it, and I think the Bears win by a TD. Bears-Seahawks free spread pick: Bears -2.5 (for the record, I’m already re-thinking this one…Seattle is tough to beat at home. But the absence of Hasselbeck seals it. Bears, minus the points, final answer.)

Bears-Seahawks Analysis

The Bears are coming off of a spectactular and uplifting win against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The #1 question for the Bears right now is when will Matt Forte put up some decent numbers? So far Forte has been shut down, and is only averaging 2.2 yds per carry. There still isn’t any need to worry though because the two teams he played have very good run defenses.

The Seahawks are ranked 26th in the league in run defense. Forte is set up to run over 100 yards this Sunday. A good running game means less pressure on the QB, which will be greatly needed because Jay Cutler has his work cut out for him. The Seahawks pass defense is ranked 2nd in the league. Passing against this defense will be tough, but Forte can help significantly if he can find the holes the O-line setup.

Bears fans liked seeing Cutler bounce back in Week 2 after a horrid Week 1, but will this just be another Good-Cutler, Bad-Cutler deal? Just like what happened with Rex Grossman? Chicago fans sure hope not.

The new player to look for is rookie WR Johnny Knox. He has created a stir around the NFL for showing great speed and catching ability. The Bears could have found a sleeper in this kid. Keep an eye out for him.

The Seahawks might have lost Hasselback again due to a rib injury. If Hasselback doesn’t play, Seneca Wallace will start for Seattle. Wallace started some games last year, and isn’t that bad of a QB, but losing Hasselback is a huge loss for a team that heavily relies on their QB. Seattle might have to find a way to win without Hasselback, a task that might prove fatal.

The Seahawks best bet is their running game. While it’s not great, it has been consistent, averaging 116.5 yds per game. If the running game doesn’t get going it puts more pressure on the passing game, a section that already is weakened.

Bears-Seahawks prediction: the loss of Hasselback is just do much for the Seahawks to recover from. Bears win 21-14.

Tags: bears-seahawks preview, Chicago Bears, jay cutler, matt forte, Matt Hasselback, NFL, Seattle Seahawks

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