NFL Playoff Predictions: 10 Seattle Seahawks That Must Step Up vs. Chicago Bears

No one thought the Seattle Seahawks had a chance to defeat the New Orleans Saints last week, but they did.

Despite the magic, no one expects the Seahawks to defeat the Chicago Bears this week either.

Of course the Seahawks can win.  Anyone can win any given Sunday.

The Seahawks are still that 7-9 football team who "shouldn't be in the playoffs."  They're going to need to put together another extraordinary effort to pull out another victory.

Here are 10 Seahawks that must step up in order for them to pull off yet another upset:

10. Marcus Trufant

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 03: Mark Clayton #89 of the St. Louis Rams makes the catch as Marcus Trufant #23 of the Seattle Seahawks defends on October 3, 2010 at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Why He Must Step Up:

Johnny Knox is the Bears' best and pretty much only receiving threat.  Sure they have Devin Hester, Earl Bennett and Greg Olson, but those names don't exactly strike fear into the heart of a defense.

If Trufant and whoever is covering Knox at the time can shut him down, Jay Cutler could have a hard time finding any open receivers.

9. Lofa Tatupu

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 05: Linebacker Lofa Tatupu #51 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with Jay Richardson #99 and Craig Terrill #93 after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Sea

Why He Must Step Up:

Matt Forte is averaging 4.5 yards a carry this season as the Bears have begun to focus back on the running game yet again.

Lofa Tatupu and the strong Seattle linebacking core must focus on punishing Forte early and often.

Mike Martz is still Mike Martz.  If Tatupu and friends can slow down the Bears rushing attack early, Chicago will become one dimensional as Martz will start calling passing play after passing play.

8. Olindo Mare

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Kicker Olindo Mare #10 of the Seattle Seahawks kicks his fifth field goal of the game out of the hold of Jon Ryan #9 against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. S

Why He Must Step Up:

Not even the Seahawks themselves and their own fans believe they're going to blow out the Bears.  If they pull out a victory, it will definitely be a close one.  

Olindo Mare is a key to the game.  He can't miss anything easy.  The Seahawks must take advantage of every opportunity they have.

Against New Orleans last week, one possession where Mare was about to kick a field goal, the Seahawks jumped off-sides and had to punt.  The Saints gained momentum and stormed back.

One missed field goal, after a long Seattle drive against a brutal Bears defense, could really kill the morale the Seahawks need to pull this one off.

7. Russell Okung

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Russell Okung #76 of the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Why He Must Step Up:

The rookie will be leaned heavily upon this week as he matches up against one of the best defensive ends in the league in Julius Peppers.

The Seahawks practically have no hope if Chicago can get consistent pressure on Matt Hasselbeck.

In the two teams' first meeting this season, Peppers was held to just two tackles and didn't record a sack.  Granted, the Bears are a much different team since then, but if Okung can have that same kind of success, the Seahawks will be well on their way to pulling off the upset.

6. Chris Clemons

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Defensive end Chris Clemons #91 of the Seattle Seahawks sacks quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images

Why He Must Step Up:

The Chicago Bears have the worst offensive line in football.  They've surrendered the most sacks in the league this season.

The Seahawks must take advantage of the Bears' weakness.  Chris Clemons will be a big part in doing that.

He had a whopping 11 sacks in 2010, but he was held to just one tackle and no sacks last week against the Saints.  He must improve those numbers.

A pressured Jay Cutler is an erratic Jay Cutler.  The more pressure the Seattle pass rush applies, the better their chances of forcing turnovers.

5. Leon Washington

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Running back Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks returns a punt for 84 yards against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. Washington was down at the 2 yard line on the play, and t

Why He Must Step Up:

One play can change the outcome of a game in football.  One play, that's all Leon Washington needs to take it to the house.

He had an impressive three kickoff return touchdowns during the regular season.  New Orleans handled him well last week.

Seattle is going to need to produce some explosive plays as it's far-fetched to believe they'll just march down the field against the Bears defense.

Leon Washington is Seattle's best chance to provide that spark.

4. Marshawn Lynch

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattl

Why He Must Step Up:

One of the worst things that can happen to an offense is that it becomes one dimensional.  The Seahawks offense was one dimensional most of the season as the running game was ineffective.

Marshawn Lynch and Seattle's backs have stepped it up the past two weeks though.  They played a key role in the victories against the Rams and Saints.

Lynch must push the pile against Chicago's run defense which ranks second in the NFL.

3. John Carlson

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Tight end John Carlson #89 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates his 11-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Se

Why He Must Step Up:

There's no way around it, the Seahawks just don't have many vertical threats in their offense right now.

Mike Williams is solid, but he's no go-to guy.  Ben Obomanu isn't a starting caliber wide receiver.

The cover two scheme can be taken advantage of by a good tight end.  John Carlson must be that go-to guy for Matt Hasselbeck this Sunday.

Brian Urlacher may be one of the best coverage linebackers in the business, but Carlson must exploit the middle of that Bears defense and help move the chains consistently.

2. Earl Thomas

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Safety Earl Thomas #29 and cornerback Marcus Brown #32 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate a defensive play against the St. Louis Rams during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Gre

Why He Must Step Up:

The most important statistic in football, besides the final score, is turnovers.

Earl Thomas is a downright playmaker in the secondary and he's Seattle's best turnover machine.  There was no better rookie free safety in football this season.

Jay Cutler forces a lot of throws because he has the arm to fit the ball into tight spaces.  Thomas has the range to eliminate those spaces, especially when the Bears go deep.

With the Bears speed at the wide out position, they'll go deep quite a bit.  Thomas and the Seattle secondary must make the Bears pay for taking shots downfield.

1. Matt Hasselbeck

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks throws the ball in the second half against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Phot

Why He Must Step Up:

All of the hype over Seattle's upset victory was focused towards Marshawn Lynch after his "beast mode" run where he clinched the game.

Hasselbeck was the true hero of that offense though.

He displayed sniper-like accuracy all game long.  From his beautiful touch pass to Cameron Morrah, to his bomb over Mike Williams' shoulder between two defenders, Hasselbeck was virtually flawless all game long.

If he can even remotely match that performance, the Seahawks have more than a good shot to be playing in Atlanta, or in Seattle again, over a week from now.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter or at One Yard Short.com.