Chicago Bears Look to Maintain Flexibility Against Seattle Seahawks

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.

The Chicago Bears, led by Jay Cutler may still be adjusting to his new surroundings in Week Three.  Even so, the team won a huge game last week against the Steelers with Cutler at the helm. He came under a firestorm in Week One against Green Bay, when he tossed up four interceptions that cost Chicago the game.

Cutler rebounded sharply against the Steelers with no interceptions, and Chicago’s young receiver corps, led by rookie Johnny Knox, also responded by showing great improvement over the previous week.

Chicago is showing new flexibility in the offensive scheme.  Traditionally, the one-dimensional team ran the football, and was very conservative in its play-calling.  Offensive coordinator Ron Turner can now capitalize against the blitz that often leaves the receivers in one-on-one matchups.

Matt Forte has not been that productive because of Chicago’s new flexibility and confidence in the passing game.  It’s important to understand the Chicago still is a run-first offense.  If the running game is productive, they will stay with it.  If the opposing defenses have success by limiting the running game, they will utilize the passing game. Whatever it takes to win the game, that’s the direction the offense will go, on a game-by-game basis.

The Bears defense looked shaky at the start of last week's game, allowing  144 yards and nine first downs on Pittsburgh’s first two possessions.  The Bears yielded just 164 yards and seven points the rest of the game, while rallying for a 17-14 victory over the defending Super Bowl champions.

Roethlisberger picked apart the secondary very early in the game with no pass rush to contend with.  The defensive line turned it around by generating consistent pressure with blitz and stunt schemes.  Defensive end Alex Brown celebrated two sacks and a hurry that led to a key Charles Tillman interception.

This team is still defined by its defense, primarily at linebacker and with stopping the run.  Lance Briggs and Pisa Tinoisamoa are the best of the group.  With starter Hunter Hillenmayer now replacing Urlacker, 23 year old, third-year player Nick Roach and speedy Jamar Williams, give the Bears great depth and insurance at the position.

It’s going to a classic battle at Qwest Field.  However, the Chicago Bears have the advantage in this contest.