The Seahawks head into Monday night’s Week 8 date with the Bears needing clean execution on both sides of the ball, and Seattle’s top playmakers will have to show up if it wants to leave with a statement win. The defense, though, may be the unit that tilts the night.
A big part of that could be what Seattle does to Caleb Williams. The Bears quarterback has put up 1,020 passing yards with five touchdowns and one interception while completing 71.0% of his throws this season, but the Seahawks are positioned to make this his toughest outing yet. By cutting off his downfield options and shrinking the damage he can do when he breaks the pocket, Seattle’s defense can force season lows across the board in completion percentage, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
While the pass rush and coverage work to slow Williams, Seattle may find another answer in its tight end room. AJ Barner has 180 receiving yards on 19 catches this season and still hasn’t scored through the air, but that changes here.
His season-high for receiving yards sits at 69 from Week 3, and the Seahawks are likely to lean on him underneath and in key moments. In this matchup, Barner could clear 70 receiving yards and finally haul in his first receiving touchdown of the year.
The Seahawks’ depth could matter just as much as the stars. Tyrice Knight is set up to deliver a real impact with timely defensive stops, physical play and help on special teams.
In what would be his biggest game of the season, Knight could notch a sack, a quarterback hit and a tackle for loss. That kind of effort would help swing momentum Seattle’s way, keep Williams uncomfortable and push the Seahawks toward a hard-fought win.
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