SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks managed a gritty victory over the Chicago Bears, winning 6-3 in a game that was far from thrilling.
This match showcased a stellar performance from the Seahawks’ defense while the offense struggled significantly, culminating in a game-ending interception that halted Caleb Williams’ impressive streak of 353 pass attempts without an interception.
Seattle’s defense recorded seven sacks, matching their season highest, as the Bears suffered their 10th straight loss in this season’s lowest scoring game.
The Bears held a potential upset opportunity late in the fourth quarter with possession at Seattle’s 40-yard line, but Riq Woolen of the Seahawks intercepted Williams with just 20 seconds remaining.
Although it was a positive rebound for Seattle, the outcome did not dramatically alter their chances of making the postseason. The more pivotal game will occur Saturday, as the Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals, impacting Seattle’s playoff prospects.
If Arizona secures a victory, the Seahawks will maintain their playoff hopes, but they will still need to defeat the Rams next weekend to clinch the NFC West title. Conversely, if the Rams win this weekend, it would eliminate Seattle’s chances, as the Rams would own the tiebreaker even if the Seahawks win their regular-season finale.
“We’re focusing on what we can control,” stated coach Mike Macdonald. “We understand what’s at stake next week. This weekend, we’ll prepare our minds, bodies, and spirits for the upcoming game.”
“Yes, we’re hoping it’s for the division championship.”
On a positive note, Leonard Williams has been a significant asset for the Seahawks. The defensive tackle was a dominant force against the Bears’ offensive line, contributing two of the team’s seven sacks, four hits on the quarterback, and three tackles for loss.
Williams has been pivotal to Seattle’s defensive improvement. A defense that struggled early in the season has transformed into one of the more formidable units in the league during the latter half of the campaign, owing much of that success to Williams’ impactful presence.
“He deserves all the recognition,” Macdonald emphasized. “I’m not sure what awards are out there, but he’s undoubtedly deserving. He’s an exceptional player and an even better person. I’m grateful he’s part of our team.”
Conversely, the Seahawks’ offense faced significant challenges, missing consistency throughout the game. They secured just two field goals that turned out to be sufficient for the win. Quarterback Geno Smith threw for a modest 160 yards and nearly tossed yet another interception on Seattle’s initial red-zone opportunity.
Running backs Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh combined for 103 yards on 22 carries, with a notable 25-yard run from McIntosh in the first quarter being Seattle’s longest offensive play of the match. Charbonnet, filling in for the injured Kenneth Walker III, was limited to an average of only 3.8 yards per carry.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb continues to search for ways to revitalize the running game, though success has been elusive.
The Seahawks’ defense, however, exhibited an excellent performance after recent struggles against Green Bay and Minnesota, restricting the Bears to a mere 179 total yards while recording 10 quarterback hits.
In addition to Williams’ strong showing, rookie Devon Witherspoon contributed six tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss, helping to regain some lost momentum for Seattle.
Despite the defense’s success, wide receiver DK Metcalf had a disappointing outing, catching just three passes for 43 yards. He incurred two personal fouls on one play, which included a head-butt directed at Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.
Metcalf has not surpassed 70 receiving yards in a game since the Seahawks’ victory over Atlanta on October 20 and has recorded only four receptions in three games this season, alongside a total of four touchdown catches, indicating a lackluster performance in what has been a challenging year for the sixth-year wide receiver.
Seattle has placed Walker (ankle) on injured reserve, officially concluding his regular season. He must miss at least four games but could potentially return if the Seahawks advance deep into the playoffs.
An important stat to note is the seven sacks registered by the Seahawks, which brings the season total to 67 for Caleb Williams, surpassing all other quarterbacks and ranking fourth in league history.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks will complete their regular season against the Los Angeles Rams, scheduled for either January 4 or 5.
