Bears Blitz

Published by Jimmy Boyd on October 15, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Off a bye week, the 2-2 Seattle Seahawks will look to regroup against the 4-1 Chicago Bears. But that will be no easy task considering how Seattle has played on the road lately.

The Seahawks are 0-2 straight up and against the spread in two road games this season. They are also just 1-9 straight up and against the spread dating back to the beginning of the 2009 season.

With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that NFL odds makers have made the Bears a 6.5-point favorite with the total set at 37 this week.

Despite playing without quarterback Jay Cutler, who was out after suffering a concussion against the Giants, the Bears dominated Carolina to the tune of 23-6. And they did it with a strong running game and defense.

Led by running back Matt Forte, who rushed for 166 yards and two scores, the Bears racked up 218 rushing yards on the Panthers.

Chicago’s defense has been pretty good all season, ranking sixth in the league with 295.2 yards per game allowed. The Bears turned in another dominant performance last week, holding Carolina to 147 yards of offense and forcing three turnovers.

While Chicago was happy to get its running game going, the Bears really missed Jay Cutler. Todd Collins was absolutely pathetic in last week’s game, completing only 6-of-16 passes for 32 yards with four interceptions. It all added up to a brutal 6.3 passer rating. Fortunately for Chicago, Cutler is expected to be back Sunday.

It may be just in time, too, as the Bears don’t figure to find as much running room against the NFL’s second-best run defense. They should, however, be able to take advantage of Seattle’s 31st-ranked pass defense if Cutler is on his game.

I briefly mentioned Seattle’s road woes over the last two seasons in my opening, but its road struggles go back a lot further than that. In fact, the Seahawks are just 16-34-1 against the spread in their last 51 road games.

Seattle needed a bye week to get healthy, and for the first time this season, it could be at full strength on the offensive line. Rookie offensive tackle Russell Okung and veteran guards Chester Pitts and Ben Hamilton have all practiced this week. Coach Pete Carroll is also optimistic that Sean Locklear will be back in action.

If the line is at full strength, the Seattle offense may finally be able to click. Also, the Seahawks are hoping that the addition of running back Marshawn Lynch will give the offense a boost. Seattle currently ranks 29th in the league in rushing offense, and it is the second-worst rushing team on first down.

While Seattle would like to be able to run the football, it may not find much running room against a Chicago defense that is only giving up 78.6 rushing yards per game. Although, the Seahawks could catch a break if stud linebacker Lance Briggs isn’t able to go. He is currently listed as doubtful with an ankle injury.

Still, Seattle’s best chance to move the football will likely come through the air. The Bears rank just 17th in the league against the pass, and we have all seen what quarterback Matt Hasselbeck can do throughout his career when he has time to throw.

Seattle backers will be glad to know that the Bears are 0-4-1 against the spread in their last five games following a win of more than 14 points. 

Jimmy Boyd’s award-winning NFL picks are a red hot 10-2 the last two weeks. Bet with confidence in Week 6 by making sure you’re playing who Jimmy is playing.

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