It was a display of grit from the Seattle Seahawks as they edged past the Chicago Bears 23-17 in a decisive Week 17 matchup, further keeping the playoff hopes of Seattle going and sending the Bears to an extensive losing streak, saying quite a lot about how the rest of the season has panned out for them.
It was game on, and they were not going to back off since their win was at stake, so the Seahawks were at par on offense as well as defense. They delivered a very resilient show coupled with a balanced attack on offense. Quarterback Geno Smith played pivot-like roles as he completed 21 of his 29 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns while staying calm under pressure in terms of conversion of third down keys that ensured continuation of offense.
Running back Kenneth Walker III chipped in with 88 yards on the ground, earning tough yardage at every opportunity to keep chains moving. The Seahawks’ O-line held up well, too, against a Bears pass rush that has looked explosive at times this season, allowing Smith time for those critical throws.
Seattle’s defense led by strong linebacker Bobby Wagner made the Bears’ limited offense go nowhere after halftime but did manage to muster a field goal with no further scoring. Wagner was in for nine tackles and broke up the crucial pass in the fourth quarter as the Seahawks took the game.
It marked the Bears’ sixth consecutive defeat, which halted what had promised to be an early season of potential. Quarterback Justin Fields did a lot with his legs and arm, throwing for 180 yards and a touchdown and adding 75 on the ground. But at times wildly inaccurate, the young signal-caller seemed not to ever seize the Bears offense’s best chances in the red zone.
Chicago’s defense had some bright spots, forcing the ball loose twice, one on a fumble recovery by linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. But they couldn’t shut the Seahawks down on third down; Seattle converted seven of 13.
Geno Smith took it to the next level with a 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DK Metcalf early in the fourth quarter, where the Seahawks widened the gap to 23-17. The play also displayed Smith’s accuracy as well as Metcalf’s ability to make a catch from an opponent in critical moments.
The Bears got a chance to tie it or take the lead in the late going, but a fourth-down pass from Fields was incomplete due to great coverage by Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen.
Seattle wins, improving to 9-7 and remaining alive for an NFC wild-card spot. They now get ready for a strong test against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18; it’s a division opponent with a stout defense.
Meanwhile, the Bears, 4-12, find themselves on an end, heading into the season finale as they continue looking for answers. There likely will be a focus on the direction of player development and positioning the team heading into the next draft cycle.
The Seahawks showed resilience and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations by winning on the road against the Bears. As the playoff race gets tighter, Seattle’s determination could make them a strong opponent in the postseason. For the Bears, another tough loss means they need to grow and be consistent as they rebuild for the future.
