Lake Forest, Ill. — The Seattle Seahawks, led by quarterback Geno Smith, are in urgent need of a victory to keep their playoff aspirations alive. Their upcoming opponent, the Chicago Bears, also seeks a win to break out of a frustrating losing streak that has now reached nine games.
As the Seahawks prepare to visit Chicago on Thursday night, they are looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses. Currently at 8-7, Seattle is trailing the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams (9-6) by just one game, with only two games remaining in the regular season. They had been in a position where their postseason fate was within their control until a defeat by Minnesota, where they lost 27-24, altered their trajectory. “Our destiny isn’t in our own hands anymore, and that’s tough,” acknowledged coach Mike Macdonald. “However, there is still a lot at stake. We’re going to keep pushing until we break through. It’s right there for us, and we want to seize the moment when the opportunity arises.”
To maintain their postseason hopes, the Seahawks must win their last two games, starting with the Bears and then traveling to Los Angeles for a crucial finale. For the Bears, a victory is imperative. Having secured their last win against Jacksonville in Week 6, the Bears have since faced nothing but defeat. Following their recent struggles, they dismissed offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, and later head coach Matt Eberflus was released after a Thanksgiving loss to Detroit. In the wake of these changes, the team has yet to win under interim coach Thomas Brown.
If Chicago loses on Thursday, it will mark their second double-digit losing streak in three seasons under general manager Ryan Poles. They previously experienced a franchise-worst 14-game losing streak that included ten consecutive losses two seasons back. “A win would definitely lift the team’s spirits,” stated tight end Cole Kmet. “While it may not impact playoff positions, it would positively affect morale within the locker room.”
The Seahawks continue to struggle with their ground game, averaging only 91.9 rushing yards per game, ranking among the lowest in the league. In their match against Minnesota, Seattle only rushed the ball 15 times, amassing 59 yards. Running back Kenneth Walker III, who had recently returned from multiple injuries, exited last week’s game with an ankle issue. The team’s offensive line has been plagued by injuries and the midseason retirement of starting center Connor Williams, adding to their struggles. Seattle momentarily found hope in Week 14 when Zach Charbonnet ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns against Arizona, but these issues resurfaced against Green Bay and Minnesota.
For the Bears, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has the opportunity to set a single-season passing record if he plays in the next two games. Currently ranked sixth in team history with 3,271 passing yards, Williams aims to surpass Erik Kramer’s record of 3,838 set in 1995. He has also demonstrated resilience by bouncing back from previous inconsistent performances, throwing for 334 yards and two touchdowns last week. Notably, he holds an NFL rookie record with 326 consecutive attempts without an interception, though he has also been sacked a staggering 60 times.
In a recent incident, Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen was benched for the first series of the game due to violating a team rule. Coach Macdonald explained that it was in the best interest of the team and Woolen, who accepted responsibility for his actions. The Pro Bowl player has faced an erratic season, contributing to the ups and downs of Seattle’s defense.
The Bears will need to focus on containing Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who recently joined the exclusive 1,000-yard club of Seahawks players. Notably, the Bears’ defense, which had been performing well earlier in the season, has seen a decline. They were once ranked in the top 10 for pass defense but have fallen to 23rd, allowing 865 yards and 102 points in the three games since Eberflus’ dismissal.
As both teams prepare for a pivotal matchup, the implications are profound: the Seahawks aim to revitalize their playoff dreams, while the Bears look to restore hope amid a grim stretch of losses.
