Chicago Bears Look to Maintain Flexibility Against Seattle Seahawks

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Coming off a disappointing loss against the 49ers in week two, head coach Jim Mora will bring a defensive mindset to a team that has been more offensively focused, after giving up over 200 yards rushing against the 49ers. 

The defense may improve, but the offense may stall against Chicago’s improved D-line.  With looming concerns around Matt Hasselbeck’s ability to play with a fractured rib and the poor defensive production against the run, Chicago is primed for a heavy dose of Matt Forte for a week three win.

The biggest strength of this team is the linebackers.  Lofa Tatupu, LeRoy Hill and Aaron Curry, all three are tremendously talented.  The three have the potential to surpass the Bears linebacker corps as the best in the league after the Bears lost Brian Urlacker for the season.

Another bright spot for this unit is defensive end Lawrence Jackson, who leads the NFC and is tied for third in the league with three sacks.  For the most part, the defense did a decent job; however, they gave up some big running plays against the 49ers that cost them the game.  The team is thin behind these three with the secondary unit, which showed a big weakness last week—tackling.

Seattle’s offense has been disappointing thus far; many preseason projections had Seattle's unit as top five in the NFC.  The injury to quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, (fractured rib) is listed as day-to-day.  The team reports x-rays came back negative; however, team doctors reported a rib fracture after looking at the MRI.

The Seahawks running attack, led by Julius Jones, had just eight carries for 11 yards last week and has 128 yards and 1 TD on the season.

The Seahawks passing game is struggling throughout Week Two with Hasselbeck, who has only 376 total passing yard with three TDs and two interceptions.

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who was signed this offseason, is an excellent route-runner with good hands, but has not been as productive as he should be.  His addition has not helped the offense much.  Other additions, like Deion Branch, T.J. Duckett, Nate Burleson and Charlie Frye, are productive when Hasselbeck is under center.

Seattle has no unique play-making dynamic to the offense and will struggle if backup Seneca Wallace play’s against the improving Chicago Bears defensive unit.

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