The Bears host the Seahawks in their final home game of the season Thursday night at Soldier Field. Here are three things that should increase their chances of winning:
(1) Continue to get the ball to their play-making receivers.
Veterans Keenan Allen and DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze have increased their production over the second half of the season, providing a boost on offense.
All four of Allen's outings with at least 70 yards and one touchdown this season have come in the last five games, including last Sunday when he generated a season-high 141 yards and one TD on nine receptions against the Lions. Allen's five receiving TDs in the last five games are tied for second most in the NFL during that span.
Moore has caught at least six passes in six straight games, the longest streak of his six-year NFL career and the second longest active streak in the league. He leads the Bears with 83 receptions and 826 yards this season.
Odunze made clutch receptions to convert two fourth downs last Sunday versus the Lions, including a 30-yard contested catch on fourth-and-1. The No. 9 overall pick in the draft has caught 51 passes for 701 yards this season, joining Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka as the only Bears rookies with at least 50 catches and 700 receiving yards.
Of course, the increased production by the receivers stems from the ascension of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Since Week 4, the No. 1 pick in the draft has thrown 17 TD passes with just one interception and has not been picked off in his last 326 pass attempts, the sixth longest single season stretch in NFL history. Since his last interception in a Week 6 win over the Jaguars, Williams has thrown 14 TD passes.
Williams and the Bears will face a Seahawks defense that has allowed an average of just 17.5 points in winning its last four road games over the Cardinals (30-18), Jets (26-21), 49ers (20-17) and Falcons (34-14).
(2) Pressure quarterback Geno Smith.
The 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year has continued his career resurgence this season, completing 70.1% of his passes for 3,937 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has also thrown 15 interceptions—tied for the second most in the NFL and his most since he had 21 as a Jets rookie in 2013—but only two picks have come in road games.
Smith's arm talent and velocity are what stand out most to Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington.
"He can make any throw," Washington said. "He is really confident in his arm and very strong. He can fit it into tight spaces. He doesn't want to run, but he has enough athletic ability to move around in the pocket and prevent you from getting a clean shot on him."
Pressuring Smith will be paramount Thursday night. According to Next Gen Stats, Smith has thrown 10 interceptions while under pressure this season. He'll face a Bears defense that ranks fifth in the NFL in quarterback pressure rate (36.6%).
The Seahawks feature a dangerous receiving trio. Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads Seattle with 93 receptions for 1,089 yards and six TDs. D.K. Metcalf, the son of former Bears guard Terrence Metcalf, has caught 60 passes for 897 yards and four TDs. And Tyler Lockett has 44 receptions for 552 yards and two TDs.
The Bears will likely have plenty of opportunities to rush the passer. The Seahawks are running the ball on just 36.1% of their plays this season, the fifth lowest rush rate in the NFL. In addition, leading rusher Kenneth Walker III (153 carries for 573 yards and 7 TDs) will miss Thursday night's game with an ankle injury. Seattle no doubt will rely on running back Zach Charbonnet, who has rushed for 453 yards and eight TDs on 106 attempts.
The Seahawks offense employs a lot of pre-snap motion.
"They're going to challenge your readiness," Washington said. "We've talked about that. We have to make sure that as the parts are moving, the final alignment and the final arrangement they have, we need to understand exactly what we're doing as far as our assignments are concerned."
(3) Contain Seattle's defensive line.
Down two starters, the Bears offensive line will be challenged by a Seahawks defensive line that features Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Byron Murphy II.
"They give you a lot of looks up front," said Bears interim offensive coordinator Chris Beatty. "They do a lot of great things. And they have a lot of great players up front, too, so being able to get us in the right protection is one, and then being able to get some depth from the line of scrimmage is two."
Bears left tackle Braxton Jones was placed on injured reserve Monday after hurting his leg in last Sunday's game against the Lions. He'll be joined on the sideline by left guard Teven Jenkins, who has been ruled out of Thursday night's contest with a calf injury he suffered versus Detroit.
Regardless of who starts in their place, the Bears know they must protect Williams.
"You can't let those guys reset the pocket back in his lap," Beatty said. "Him understanding where we need to slide and those kinds of things is part of it, and the other part is to get set, get his feet in the ground and be able to get through his progressions quickly and get the ball out of his hand. They've got a really good scheme and some really good people taking advantage up front."
