SUNDAY SNAPSHOT
Kickoff: 3:05 p.m. Central
Surface: FieldTurf
Television: FOX – Dick Stockton, Charles Davis
Series: 11th regular-season meeting. Seahawks lead 7-3, but the Bears beat them 37-6 in the regular season and then 27-24 in overtime in a divisional playoff game during the 2006 season en route to Super Bowl XLI. Both those games were at Soldier Field. The Seahawks won the most recent meeting, 30-23 on Nov. 18, 2007 at Qwest Field.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Bears RB Matt Forte has just 84 yards through two games but takes aim at a Seahawks run defense that gave up 256 yards in San Francisco last Sunday. The status of LB Lofa Tatupu (hamstring) is significant for the Seahawks, as is getting rookie LB Aaron Curry to stop over-pursuing and creating running lanes. Chicago has six sacks and has been applying consistent pressure, which has helped the secondary significantly. QB Seneca Wallace is likely to start for the Seahawks, although Matt Hasselbeck (rib) hasn't been ruled out. Whoever is under center will look often to TE John Carlson and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh and use the short passing game to complement a lackluster ground attack.
FAST FACTS
Bears QB Jay Cutler's teams are 11-0 when he has a passer rating of at least 100. ... Wallace is 5-7 in his career as a starter.
WR Johnny Knox
Getty Images: Scott Boehm |
PERSONNEL NEWS
Bears: DE Alex Brown (ankle) did not practice, but he warmed up without a limp, did some work on the side and is expected to play in his 114th straight game on Sunday. ... TE Desmond Clark (rib) did some light work on the side but did not practice Thursday and is not expected to play Sunday. ... LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) did not practice Thursday and is not expected to play Sunday. ... WR Johnny Knox might handle kickoff-return duties for the second straight week in place of S Danieal Manning, who led the NFL with a 29.7-yard average last season. Knox could be given the job permanently. ... Manning starts at free safety but moves to nickel back in passing situations. He was spared the extra work of returning kickoffs last week and may get a pass on that duty for good if Knox continues to impress.
Seahawks: DT Brandon Mebane (calf) was limited in practice Thursday and is still questionable for Sunday. ... Hasselbeck did not practice for a second straight day and remains uncertain for Sunday. ... C Chris Spencer was a full participant in practice and looks like he will play this week. ... WR Deion Branch was a full participant in practice and looks like he will play in his first regular-season contest. ... CB Travis Fisher participated fully in practice is one of three healthy cornerbacks for the Seahawks.
PREDICTION
Seahawks 20, Bears 17.
Agree? Disagree? Let your voice be heard on our message board
RIGHT HERE.
Bear Report: The only publication exclusively dedicated to your Chicago Bears.