The Seattle Seahawks move from the Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid show to everyone’s favorite pick for future stardom – Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson – in Week 8. If they do not follow up last week’s eye-opening performance against Kansas City with another win this week, they fall back to 4-4 on the season.
Most experts seem to have this game rated as a toss-up. Seattle is a three-point favorite, the traditional bump given to the home team. But I think if both teams play sound games, Seattle wins this one without too much trouble.
It is a good match-up, with the Seahawks defense taking on another quality offense. The Seahawks offense, with Quenton Nelson now in town and with the possible return of Zach Charbonnet, should be able to score points on Chicago’s opportunistic, improving defense.
5 bold predictions for Seattle Seahawks Week 8 battle with the Bears
Ben Johnson will no doubt have several concepts designed to exploit the small cracks in the Seahawks' defense. But Seattle, under Mike Macdonald, is a very hard team to trick. They have too many fast, athletic players, too many smart veterans. They are too well coached to make a lot of mistakes.
That bodes well, but on the other hand, Chicago has a knack for causing opposing offenses to make mistakes. And we all know that Sam Darnold is susceptible. It should make for a great game, especially if some of these bold predictions come true.
Sam Darnold will play his best game of the year – three TDs and no picks
I thought Sam Darnold played his best game of the season against the Chiefs. He looked like a different quarterback – like the QB who took Seattle to the championship last year. He made quick, decisive decisions, and he threw the ball very well.
Of course, there was the ugly interception in the end zone, but I believe that was an outlier. Darnold is getting better, and Quenton Nelson's presence can only help. The last time Darnold faced the Bears was in
2024. As a member of the Vikings, he played Chicago twice. He put up 30 points in each game, with a three-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio. I’m optimistic. I think the ratio will be three-to-zero this time.
Two of those TDs will go to players not named Jaxon Smith-Njigba
JSN has two-thirds of Seattle’s touchdown receptions this season. I think that will reverse on Monday night. JSN will still have a fine game, but other players will contribute as well.
Cooper Kupp will score this week and I think AJ Barner is overdue for finding the end zone. Seattle may have a hard time sticking with the run, especially if Chicago starts fast. But Brian Fleury is learning how continually pounding away on the defense eventually softens them for bigger plays late.
We saw it against Kansas City, and Quenton Nelson’s presence makes it even more likely that the Seahawks will run the ball. But Darnold will look for any chance he gets to find mismatches in the secondary. They will mostly involve JSN, but the Bears' likely exaggerated attention to Seattle’s best player will open up the field for players like Kupp and Barner.
Charbonnet scores behind a Nelson block
There’s no guarantee that Zach Charbonnet even plays on Monday, and if he does, there’s no predicting how productive he will be. Nelson’s adjustment will require some time as well. Offensive line cohesion doesn’t come overnight, no matter how many Pro Bowls you have.
But Seattle has had trouble bludgeoning opponents in the red zone this year, and I think they want to establish a new mindset ASAP. Charbonnet running behind Nelson, Charles Cross (whose status remains uncertain for this week), and one or more tight ends seems like just the recipe to solve that problem.
Derick Hall gets two sacks
Like several other elements of the Seahawks team, Derick Hall had his best game of the season last week. His five total pressures in 19 pass rush situations are closer to what was expected of Seattle’s explosive edge.
Look for him to build on that success this week, whether it comes against Theo Benedet or Ozzy Trapilo. Or even Braxton Jones. Benedet, an undrafted free agent, has filled in nicely since Jones went on IR a month ago.
Trapilo, the Bears’ nominal backup at left tackle, is just returning from his own injury suffered in last year’s playoffs. There has been no indication that Jones is ready to come back, and Trapilo has seen spot duty in the last two games.
With Seattle likely to generate good pressure inside, Byron Murphy, who has begun moving around the line more than ever, should attack Bears center Garrett Bradbury much of the night; Hall should take advantage. Of course, getting Caleb Williams on the ground is another issue, but I think he’ll manage it a couple of times.
Luther Burden III will have more than 117 receiving yards
It won’t all be rosy for the Seahawks. Caleb Williams will make plays, and the majority of those plays will feature Luther Burden III. Ben Johnson will design plays to get him matched up with Josh Jobe outside or the Hawks linebackers and safeties across the middle. They will all have trouble keeping up with the ascendant Bears star.
Burden has gained 225 yards on receptions in the past two weeks, catching all 12 of his targets. He is very dangerous with the ball in his hands, which makes for a great showdown with Seattle’s secondary, which does an excellent job of swarming to the ball and limiting yards after the catch (YAC).
I think Burden will break free for a few big plays on Monday. But 117? That’s the total they surrendered to the 49ers’ Mike Evans – the most they have given up to any receiver this year. In Seattle’s other six games, the opponent’s top wide receiver has gained an average of 50 yards.
Unfortunately, this looks more like a Mike Evans type of game, with a QB who can extend plays and a very dangerous receiver looking for gaps.
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