NFL Week 15 Predictions: Sneaky Seahawks Will Shock Reeling Bears

The NFL is all about momentum and right now the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears are heading in complete opposite directions.

The 7-6 Bears are reeling after losing both QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte to potential season-ending injuries, and have gone 0-3 with backup Caleb Hanie under center. The 6-7 Seahawks have won four of five games and are holding on to the hopes that they can sneak into the playoffs as a Wild Card.

That’s why you need to take the Seahawks +3.5. (Spread Courtesy of Covers.com)

Marshawn Lynch (969 yards, nine TDs) is averaging 117.7 yards over the last six contests and is running like a man trying to score a new contract. Well, that’s because he is.

While the passing game isn’t the same without Sidney Rice, rookie Doug Baldwin (718 yards, three TDs) has been a pleasant surprise this season. QB Tavaris Jackson (2,479 yards, 11 TDs, 12 INTs) hasn’t been great, but he’s steadily improving as the season goes along and has turned into an average quarterback in the NFL.

In a world of Curtis Painter, Blaine Gabbert and Tyler Palko…that’s just fine.

Expect Jackson to have a solid game against the Bears 28th ranked pass defense.

The Bears have scored a grand total of 13 points in the last two games and the boneheaded plays of Marion Barber last week are a stench that will stick with this team for a while.

The receiving core led by Johnny Knox (712 yards, two TDs) is one of the worst in the league and are a big reason the Bears have yet to take the next step offensively.

Then there is the whole Sam Hurd situation. The receiver was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly having enough cocaine and weed to supply the entire state of Delaware. He may be going to jail for the rest of his life.

That would be the definition of a distraction.

Everything is pointing to the Seahawks pulling the upset in a game that really isn’t even an upset at all.

Key Trends:

Bears are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games as a home favorite of 3.5-10.0.

Seahawks are 4-0 ATS in their last four games as an underdog.

Seahawks are 7-1 ATS in their last eight vs. NFC.

Seahawks are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.

Prediction: Seahawks 23, Bears 17