An 8 1/2 point spread? Wow, apparently Vegas is on the Chicago Bears love train. I understand that the Seahawks really should have lost last week, but 8 1/2 points with captain inconsistancy at QB, really?
27, 31, 21, 26
These are the point totals the Chicago Bears opponents have put up in the past 4 games. What does this 4 game segment overlap? The games Tommie Harris has missed. Coincidence? Absolutely not. Tommie Harris is an absolutely dominant defensive tackle who clears out blocks helping Urlacher, Briggs and Hillenmeyer flow untouched to the running back. Tommie Harris in the first matchup against the Seahawks, 2 Sacks for a total of 20 yards lost, thats a big influence that the Bears will have to cope without.
2005 MVP
In the first matchup between these squads the Seahawks were without their MVP and it showed. In Maurice Morris' first game as a starter he gained a measely 35 yards on 11 carries and was in essence a non-factor. Now I know Alexander hasn't regained his 2005 form, for whatever reason, but he certainly is an upgrade over Morris. At the end of the game there will be a major direct correlation between Alexander yardage and Seattle points.
Destruction of Hasselbeck
Why did the Bears destroy the Seahawks in their first matchup? Well one of the biggest factors was the pressure they put on Hasselbeck. Matty played like Sexy Rexy, and had a final line of 2 ints and no tds. And even worse he was sacked 5 times and hit/hurried on almost every play. Hasselbeck and the offensive line must do a much better job in this rematch if they expect to be in this game in the 4th quarter.
Snow, Snow and More Snow
Thats the forecast in Chicago this weekend. Who does this favor? Well a ton of Snow would make teams lean towards the run, but that isn't necessarily the case. If the Snow isn't falling heavily, and is more a less simply a presence on the field than this will more help the receivers in the passing game. Think of it this way, the receiver knows where he's going at all times and his move is typical smoother than the quick adjustments by a defensive back, often times this gets the receiver an additional step. However, if the snow is falling heavily and affecting the grip of the QB and the ball flight than the game will be more tailored to the run. Either way I think the snow benefits the Seahawks, they have already played well in it once this season (Alexander rushed for 201), and their QB is more experienced.
The Hook
Obviously Bear fans and especially Lovie Smith hopes that Grossman plays well enough where he will not be faced with this decision. But the question is where's the threshold? 2 Interceptions in the first quarter? 3 ints in the first half? Truly do you foresee Brian Griese leading the Bears back from a 2 touchdown deficit? Despite Grossman's inconsistancies and his lean to the turnover, he is more likely than Griese to lead a comeback. This is perhaps the most story within a game this weekend in football. In my opinion if the Bears are forced to make this change it ends in a loss. Either Grossman plays well and the Bears roll. He plays mediocre and its a close game, or he plays Packer like and the Bears are dead.
The Pick
Both of these teams have major injuries to their defenses, Tommie Harris and the Seahawks secondary, the Bears destroyed the Seahawks earlier this year and Vegas obviously believes the Bears will win comfortably. I however have leaned to the Seahawks a little too much this season and will continue to fight the trend. The Seahawks have a better and more reliable QB, a better RB, better receiving corps, and a more experienced coach. Call me insanse, but I think the Seahawks pull this one off.
27, 31, 21, 26
These are the point totals the Chicago Bears opponents have put up in the past 4 games. What does this 4 game segment overlap? The games Tommie Harris has missed. Coincidence? Absolutely not. Tommie Harris is an absolutely dominant defensive tackle who clears out blocks helping Urlacher, Briggs and Hillenmeyer flow untouched to the running back. Tommie Harris in the first matchup against the Seahawks, 2 Sacks for a total of 20 yards lost, thats a big influence that the Bears will have to cope without.
2005 MVP
In the first matchup between these squads the Seahawks were without their MVP and it showed. In Maurice Morris' first game as a starter he gained a measely 35 yards on 11 carries and was in essence a non-factor. Now I know Alexander hasn't regained his 2005 form, for whatever reason, but he certainly is an upgrade over Morris. At the end of the game there will be a major direct correlation between Alexander yardage and Seattle points.
Destruction of Hasselbeck
Why did the Bears destroy the Seahawks in their first matchup? Well one of the biggest factors was the pressure they put on Hasselbeck. Matty played like Sexy Rexy, and had a final line of 2 ints and no tds. And even worse he was sacked 5 times and hit/hurried on almost every play. Hasselbeck and the offensive line must do a much better job in this rematch if they expect to be in this game in the 4th quarter. Snow, Snow and More Snow
Thats the forecast in Chicago this weekend. Who does this favor? Well a ton of Snow would make teams lean towards the run, but that isn't necessarily the case. If the Snow isn't falling heavily, and is more a less simply a presence on the field than this will more help the receivers in the passing game. Think of it this way, the receiver knows where he's going at all times and his move is typical smoother than the quick adjustments by a defensive back, often times this gets the receiver an additional step. However, if the snow is falling heavily and affecting the grip of the QB and the ball flight than the game will be more tailored to the run. Either way I think the snow benefits the Seahawks, they have already played well in it once this season (Alexander rushed for 201), and their QB is more experienced.
The Hook
Obviously Bear fans and especially Lovie Smith hopes that Grossman plays well enough where he will not be faced with this decision. But the question is where's the threshold? 2 Interceptions in the first quarter? 3 ints in the first half? Truly do you foresee Brian Griese leading the Bears back from a 2 touchdown deficit? Despite Grossman's inconsistancies and his lean to the turnover, he is more likely than Griese to lead a comeback. This is perhaps the most story within a game this weekend in football. In my opinion if the Bears are forced to make this change it ends in a loss. Either Grossman plays well and the Bears roll. He plays mediocre and its a close game, or he plays Packer like and the Bears are dead.
The Pick
Both of these teams have major injuries to their defenses, Tommie Harris and the Seahawks secondary, the Bears destroyed the Seahawks earlier this year and Vegas obviously believes the Bears will win comfortably. I however have leaned to the Seahawks a little too much this season and will continue to fight the trend. The Seahawks have a better and more reliable QB, a better RB, better receiving corps, and a more experienced coach. Call me insanse, but I think the Seahawks pull this one off.
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