Game Predictions: Seahawks Week 17 vs. Bears

Predictions For Week 17

Losing their past nine games, the Bears haven’t been able to win at Soldier Field or elsewhere since October, plunging to the bottom of the NFC North. Such a lengthy losing streak doesn’t happen if a team has several major flaws and Chicago has no shortage of them, including an offensive line that has allowed rookie Caleb Williams to be sacked more than any quarterback in the NFL and a defensive front that has struggled against the run allowing at least 100 rushing yards in nine straight games along with close to five yards per carry.

Those deficiencies should play into the Seahawks advantage, as their own struggling offensive line may actually have a chance to play a bit of bully ball against a defensive line that lacks game-changing players outside of Montez Sweat. Meanwhile, pass rushers Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu, and Derick Hall should be ready for a post-Christmas feast with Larry Borom stepping into the lineup in place of injured starting left tackle Braxton Jones.

With that said, the Bears have been a competitive 4-11 squad and they have plenty of talent at the skill positions on both sides of the ball, starting with the receiver trio of D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze. If Williams has time to throw and can create off-schedule as he does at his best, those wideouts could do significant damage. Jaylon Johnson leads an underrated secondary that matches up fairly well against DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett as well, which may make throwing the ball a little trickier for the Seahawks than anticipated.

Playing at Soldier Field in late December isn’t an ideal situation for Seattle and Chicago has nothing to lose already being eliminated from playoff contention, so this won’t be a cakewalk. But with their own playoff hopes dwindling, the Seahawks have no excuse for this being a trap game and as long as they play within themselves without too many self-inflicted wounds, they have the more talented all-around roster to eke out what will likely be a lower-scoring affair. -