The Seattle Seahawks are set to take on the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football, with the kick-off scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at Soldier Field. The Seahawks, sporting an 8-7 record, cling to their playoff hopes as they face the struggling Bears, who have plummeted to 4-11 after nine consecutive losses.
Last week's lopsided defeat of 34-17 by the Detroit Lions left the Bears without any hope of making the postseason, as they sit at the bottom of the NFC North. The Chicago’s brutal schedule hasn’t been kind to them, facing formidable opponents like the 13-2 Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings not once, but twice over the last six weeks.
On the other hand, the Seahawks, once hopeful of claiming the NFC West crown, now find themselves needing to win against Chicago. Their recent slide, having lost two straight games, raises the stakes considerably; one more loss would all but extinguish their playoff dreams. Seattle is one game behind their rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, which means each match counts.
Despite these odds, Seattle’s road performance has impressed, with five wins out of six away games this season. Home-field advantage is somewhat of a double-edged sword for the Bears, who have managed to secure four wins at Soldier Field but face the Seahawks who excel on the road.
The Seahawks' offense has its share of struggles, particularly as star running back Kenneth Walker III is sidelined due to injury. Last week, quarterback Geno Smith managed to throw for 314 yards and three touchdowns but also contributed to his team’s woes with two interceptions, exemplifying the highs and lows of Seattle's season. With their future hanging by a thread, they will aim to reclaim some of their momentum against Chicago.
For Chicago, quarterback Caleb Williams has been the beacon of hope this season. Last week's performance saw him rack up 334 passing yards and two touchdowns. Williams is now on the brink of breaking the franchise single-season passing record, set at 3,838 yards, which could offer him personal incentive against the Seahawks.
Given the circumstances, the game presents as both teams compete for vastly different outcomes; for Seattle, it's about survival and securing their place, and for Chicago, it's about pride and setting the stage for next season.
The matchup promises to be intriguing, considering the Seahawks' strong road game record and Chicago's struggles. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as the Seahawks are favored by 4.5 points, according to Fanduel Sportsbook, making Seattle the team to beat this week.
If the Seahawks go on to win this matchup, they will keep their playoff ambitions alive just one step closer to clinching the NFC West. Conversely, should the Bears pull off the upset, it might just provide them with the fuel they need for continued motivation moving forward.
Whichever side emerges victorious, one thing is clear—this Week 17 matchup is pivotal for both teams, and the drama could play out until the final minutes of the game.
