Bears - Seahawks: Almost There
It's been a long two weeks waiting for the Bears first playoff game against Seattle, but it's finally upon us. I've already touched on the main aspect of this game, and that of course is Sexy Rexy. No need to comment further on that, as it is what it is. But what else is there?
Well, there's the defense. Over the the last four weeks of the regular season, including two meaningless games, the Bears defense wasn't good at all. In fact, on the eve of week 11, the Bears ranked first in points allowed, first in yards allowed, and at or near the top of most every other defensive category. Since then, it's been a free fall. They gave up an average of 27 points and 365 yards per game to finish the season fifth in yards allowed, third in points allowed. Still great overall, but that was a long way to drop in four games.
Am I worried? Hell yeah, I'm worried. Find me a Bears fan that isn't. (Though Grossman is a large factor in that city-wide anxiety as well.) October was a LONG TIME AGO, and it's been that long since we've seen a consistently dominant effort on defense. Of course, that's also the last time Mike Brown suited up, and Tommie Harris took a knee not long thereafter. Not to mention Vasher, Tillman, and Johnsons Todd and Tank spending time in streetclothes (or jail) as well. But it ain't the same D, and they're still going to be without two of their top four defenders this Sunday. Not good.
Luckily, the Seattle Seahawks coming into Soldier Field this Sunday aren't the same Seattle Seahawks that represented the NFC in the Super Bowl last February. Matt Hasselbeck is banged up and seems to have lost his accuracy, Shaun Alexander is still shaking off the Madden, they still haven't gotten over losing their top lineman, and their secondary is in shambles (see The Loan Officer.) So I like the Bears chances this week.
The point spread seems a little ridiculous, though, as the Bears are favored by 8.5. Honestly, I think they'll cover. The forecast is snowy and cold, aka. "Bear Weather." You know, whoever made up the term "Bear Weather" didn't have Lovie's svelte speedsters in mind. Frankly, this team ain't built for the white shit. Look at last year's game at Pittsburgh, and of course the playoff game against Carolina. Slippery footing is not good for a team that relies on speed so much. You know, now that I'm thinking about it, (as if I've been thinking of anything else the last six weeks), the Bears might be better off with Ian Scott in the lineup this week than Tommie Harris. Scott's more of a classic run stuffer with a wide body while Harris is among the lightest tackles in football. Then again, Tommie Harris is Tommie Harris and I remember the game he had last time the Bears played the 'Hawks.
Prediction time! I actually the Bears are going to make this one look surprisingly easy. If Turner opens it up and lets Sexy Rexy attack the weak Seattle secondary, this could turn into a blowout really fast. So long as Rex's head is screwed on straight, of course, but that goes without saying. (Or saying 10,000 times if you've been keeping up with the news in Chicago lately.) I'll say Bears 27, Seahawks 17, in a game not as close as the final score would lead you to believe.
BEAR DOWN!!!!!!