As the Seattle Seahawks prepare to face the Chicago Bears on Thursday night, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the visitors. The Seahawks, currently sitting at an 8-7 record, are clinging to their playoff aspirations after suffering back-to-back losses. The Bears, however, are in a different situation altogether, with a 4-11 record and eliminated from playoff contention. Kickoff is set for 8:15 pm EST, and both teams have something to prove.
Keep reading for insights on the upcoming Seahawks vs. Bears matchup.
Seahawks Fight for a Postseason Chance
The Seattle Seahawks faced a tough setback on Sunday, losing 27-24 to the Minnesota Vikings. This defeat has complicated their playoff quest. Once leaders in the NFC West, the Seahawks now find themselves trailing behind the Rams and needing to win their final two games, including a crucial matchup against Los Angeles in their season finale.
Head Coach Mike Macdonald remains optimistic, stating, “We had a chance to win the game. There are areas across the board where we can improve, but we also executed well at times.”
In the recent game, quarterback Geno Smith threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns. The Seahawks’ offense totaled 361 yards but struggled on third downs, converting only 20% of their attempts. Defensively, the Seahawks held the Vikings to 298 total yards, showcasing their potential even in defeat. Key defensive players, Josh Jobe and Tyrice Knight, each recorded seven tackles.
Despite their scoring challenges, the Seahawks rank 15th in the NFL for scoring this season. They need to tighten their defense, as they sit at 23rd against the run. With a high turnover rate and penalties hampering their performance, they must address these issues if they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Injury Report: WR Cody White, TE Brady Russell, CB Nehemiah Pritchett, and LB Patrick O’Connell are out.
Bears Aim for a Positive End to the Season
The Chicago Bears have had a challenging season, and the pressure is mounting as they prepare to close it out. Following the dismissal of head coach Matt Eberflus, the team has struggled under interim coach Thomas Brown, going winless in their last three outings. Their latest defeat was a 34-17 loss to the Lions, marking the fifth loss in six games.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams expressed the team’s need for better execution, stating, “We fight, but we need to be sharper.” In the recent game, Williams completed 65% of his passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns, while veteran receiver Keenan Allen showcased his skills with nine catches for a season-high 141 yards.
Despite their offensive efforts, the Bears allowed a staggering 475 yards to the Lions, highlighting deficiencies in their defense. They currently rank 26th in scoring and 31st in sacks allowed, emphasizing the need for a restructured approach. With a new head coach likely on the horizon, Brown has two more games to make a case for retaining his position.
Injury Report: OT Braxton Jones, G Teven Jenkins, C Doug Kramer Jr., RB Travis Homer, and DT Gervon Dexter Sr. are all questionable.
