2011 NFL Playoff Picks: Top 5 Reasons Why the Seahawks Beat the Bears

The Seattle Seahawks are in the playoffs. Yes, those Seattle Seahawks. All they had to was clinch the NFC West with an overall record of 7-9 and they were in. These Seahawks aren't apologizing for their good fortune and are taking the opportunity to prove to us all that they do belong in the NFL, much less, the playoffs. 

Last weekend's win over the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints was a sobering lesson for many of the parity in the NFL. This weekend the boys from the Pacific Northwest face a familiar foe and this time they'll do it without their trusted 12th man. 

This is not a safe pick by any means, but then again what's the point of a prediction if you're just going to fall in line with all the other talking heads out there?

No. 5: Seattle's Defense

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Running back Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams rushes with the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The last time these two teams met in October, this defense held Jay Cutler to 17 of 39 for 290 yards and a QB rating of 69.4. You're probably thinking, "but he passed for almost 300 yards" and you'd be correct in doing so. What gets lost in the number is the fact that Cutler was sacked six times with six different members of the Seattle defense registering at least a sack. The defense also registered 10 hits on the quarterback. 

Like all quarterbacks, Jay Cutler doesn't like getting hit and will quickly begin doing his best impression of the ETRADE baby once he's unhappy. Conversely, the Chicago defense registered zero sacks and one hit on the quarterback. That's a lot of money for not a whole lot of production.

In addition, Chicago was an abysmal 0-12 on 3rd down the entire game. If the Seahawks continue to have success with the blitz like they did in the first game, particularly from their DB's, look for Jay Cutler to mentally check out once the going gets tough.

No. 4: Mike Williams

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Wide receiver Mike Williams #17 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after catching a 38-yard third quarter touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in

The former first round draft pick of the Detroit Lions has finally found a home in Seattle with his former college coach at USC after seemingly eating his way out out of the league. Back in shape and finally beginning to live up to his potential, Williams has been everything the Seahawks could ever have hoped for this season. 

Mike Williams is 6'5'' and 235 lbs.; the tallest Bears defensive back is listed at 6'1''. He's the NFL's equivalent of a giraffe roaming the field. In their earlier matchup in Week 6 of the regular season, Williams torched the Bears' secondary for 10 catches and 123 yards. If he can come close to his Week 6 numbers the Seahawks and Matt Hasselbeck should be in good shape. 

No. 3: Marshawn Lynch

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes with the ball against the St. Louis Rams during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Unless you've been living under a rock all week, by now you've probably seen the video of Marshawn Lynch emasculating the entire Saints defense on his way to a victory-sealing touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

That play signified why the Seahawks traded for Lynch. He's a powerful back with speed to boot. Just what ever NFL team needs in the playoffs when you have to head into Chicago to grind out a win against the Bears. 

He's proven he can get the tough yards but also displayed the afterburners to turn an awesome run into a season changing play. Call it "beast mode."

No. 2: Matt Hasselbeck

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

It goes without saying that if Hasselbeck can lead this team to victory, he'll go from being an oft-injured, afterthought at the position in a distant corner of the country to being an NFL legend. The injured Hasselbeck shook off multiple injuries to lead his team to victory last week against the Saints in what may have been his best performance since the 2006 playoff run that led the Seahawks to Super Bowl XL. He went 22 of 35 for 272 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 INT. 

The Seahawks will need another masterful performance out of him this weekend if they plan to see their fortunes grow. 

No. 1: Pete Carroll

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates the Seahawks 41-36 victory against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by

Tell me there wasn't something about watching Carroll's team go nuts on the sideline last weekend that made you think "Hmm, this guy may just have convinced these guys that they belong here." If you did, you're not alone. We the fans have wondered all season long if his hyper-kinetic style of coaching would translate to the NFL and the regular season gave us few answers if any. 

Well, the postseason is a whole new ball game and the Seahawks aren't apologizing for making it into the tournament. You don't have to win all your games at once, all you have to do is be the best team in Chicago this weekend. Expect Pete to keep them loose but also to feed off the energy of their win over New Orleans last weekend.