SEATTLE — It wasn’t fairly, however the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a 6-3 slog of a victory Thursday over the Chicago Bears.
The win featured an excellent effort from Seattle’s protection, a close to disappearance from the offense and a game-sealing choose that ended Caleb Williams’ rookie report for probably the most move makes an attempt with out an interception at 353.
The Seahawks sacked Williams seven instances to tie the group’s season excessive because the Bears misplaced their tenth consecutive recreation within the lowest scoring contest of the season.
The Bears had an opportunity to tug off an upset after they had the ball at Seattle’s 40-yard line late within the fourth quarter, however Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen picked off Williams with 20 seconds left.
It was a pleasant bounce-back win for Seattle, however had little affect on their postseason outlook. The extra essential recreation will come Saturday, when the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals face off with Seattle’s postseason fortunes on the road.
A win by Arizona retains the Seahawks within the hunt — however nonetheless needing a win over the Rams subsequent weekend to clinch the NFC West. A Rams win this weekend would sprint Seattle’s hopes as Los Angeles would win the tiebreaker over Seattle even when the Seahawks win the regular-season finale.
“We’re in the mode of controlling what we can control,” coach Mike Macdonald stated. “We all know what’s coming subsequent week. We’re going to spend this weekend getting our minds and our bodies and spirits proper to go play a recreation.
“Yeah, we’re praying that it’s for the division championship.”
What’s working
Leonard Williams continues to be a power for the Seahawks. The defensive deal with dominated the Bears’ offensive line with two of Seattle’s seven sacks, 4 quarterback hits and three tackles for loss.
Williams been the important thing to Seattle’s defensive resurgence. A unit that was among the many worst within the league earlier within the season has develop into one of many NFL’s best within the second half with Williams’ big-time affect up entrance being a serious purpose Seattle continues to be within the playoff hunt.
“He should be up for all the accolades,” Macdonald stated. “I don’t know what the awards are out there, but I would give it to him,” Macdonald stated. “He’s just a phenomenal player, phenomenal human being. I’m glad he’s a Seahawk. Glad he’s with us.”
What wants assist
Seattle’s offense was stuffed with stops and begins, however two area targets proved to be sufficient. Geno Smith managed simply 160 passing yards and almost threw yet one more interception within the pink zone on Seattle’s first drive of the sport.
Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh mixed for 103 yards on 22 carries, with McIntosh’s 25-yard first-quarter run marking Seattle’s longest offensive play of the day. Charbonnet, beginning instead of the injured Kenneth Walker III, was held to simply 3.8 yards per carry.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has spent the season attempting to determine how you can get the operating recreation going, with little success.
Top off
The Seahawks’ protection put up a lockdown efficiency after struggling in losses towards Inexperienced Bay and Minnesota, holding the Bears to simply 179 yards of whole offense and ending with 10 quarterback hits.
Together with Leonard Williams large day, Devon Witherspoon had six tackles with a sack and three tackles for loss because the Seahawks recaptured among the momentum it had misplaced the previous two weeks.
Beneath fixed strain from Seattle’s move rush, Caleb Williams threw for 122 yards, whereas finishing 16 of 28 move makes an attempt.
Inventory down
WR DK Metcalf. He had a troublesome day, with simply three receptions for 43 yards. He additionally drew a pair of non-public fouls on a single play, one coming after he head-butted Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson within the second quarter.
Metcalf hasn’t had greater than 70 yards receiving in a recreation since Seattle’s win over Atlanta on Oct. 20. He has solely had greater than 4 receptions in three video games this 12 months, and has simply 4 landing catches in what has been a little bit of a disappointing season for the sixth-year receiver.
Accidents
The Seahawks put Walker (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday, marking the tip of his common season. Walker has to overlook a minimum of the subsequent 4 video games, however may return if Seattle makes it deep into the playoffs.
Key quantity: 7
Seattle’s seven sacks made it 67 on the 12 months for Caleb Williams, 15 greater than every other quarterback within the league and fourth-most in league historical past.
Up subsequent
The Seahawks end the common season on the Los Angeles Rams on both Jan. 4 or 5.