The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are back, or so it seems after watching them.They dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. Unfortunately for them, things won't get much easier in their next primetime matchup.
Mike Macdonald and company must prepare to face the Chicago Bears' electric offense. And while their elite defense should hold its ground against anyone, Ben Johnson's team can be extremely dangerous, even when undermanned.
The Seahawks have no margin for error after a slow start to the season, and they must make another statement against a fellow playoff contender. Considering that, these four questions might decide their fate on Monday Night Football.
4 questions the Seattle Seahawks must answer to beat the Bears
Can they contain the running game?
The Bears might not have second-year star running back Kyle Monangai, or he might be limited even if he plays. Even so, they lead the league with a whopping 154.3 rushing yards per game, and D'Andre Swift is no slouch.
This defense is coming off shutting down the run against the Chiefs. Kenneth Walker III looked like a practice squad guy, after wreaking havoc for five games. Can they do it again against a less talented but better-coached running game?
How to keep Caleb Williams under pressure?
Caleb Williams is probably the most talented passer in the league right now; he can make every throw in the book. However, that blessing is also his curse, and he tends to rely way too much on talent and puts the ball at risk when he's heavily pressured.
While he's great at rolling out of the pocket and making plays on the run, he looked terrible against Brian Flores' blitz-heavy defense. The Seahawks can replicate some of that and make sure he never gets any breathing room.
Will Sam Darnold bring his A-Game?
When he's at his best, not many guys can place the football as well as Sam Darnold. He can layer throws, throw with anticipation, and put the ball in tight windows like the best of them. The problem is we haven't always seen that this season.
Even when the rest of the team has played well, Darnold's miscues have made it more difficult than it should've been. That won't cut it against an explosive offense; this team can't afford to be playing catch-up all night long.
Can they keep care of the football?
On the same note, the Seahawks can't shoot themselves in the foot by giving the ball away. Dennis Allen's defense has been better than expected this season, and they hang their hats on creating turnovers.
Bears defensive back coach Al Harris has helped turn his guys into prime ball hawks since last season. The cornerbacks struggle in coverage, but they take risks and can also flip the field; their linemen are always looking for the ball when trying to contain ball carriers.
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