The Seattle Seahawks secured a hard-fought 6-3 victory over the Chicago Bears during Thursday night football, keeping their playoff chances alive. This low-scoring affair at Soldier Field showcased strong defensive plays but left fans yearning for touchdowns on the scoreboard.
Right from the start, the game hinted at its defensive nature. The Seahawks opened with an impressive drive, highlighted by Jason Myers' 27-yard field goal, capping off 11 plays and 71 yards. The Bears, driven by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, responded later in the second quarter with Cairo Santos nailing a 42-yarder to tie the game at 3-3. This 13-play, 67-yard drive was punctuated by key conversions and screen passes, but the Bears could not maximize their opportunities and faced penalties, nullifying potential touchdowns.
Seattle quickly regained the lead with another field goal from Myers, this time from 50 yards with just 21 seconds remaining in the half. The first half ended with the Seahawks leading by three, but the momentum was mainly carried by the defenses.
Although the first half displayed some promising plays, the second half saw continued frustration. The Seahawks defense was relentless, racking up seven sacks and forcing Williams — who had already faced significant pressures throughout the season — to constantly scramble and make hurried decisions. Interim Bears head coach Thomas Brown acknowledged this, saying, "I thought the defense played their butts off the entire night. And the offense was not good enough..."
One eyebrow-raising moment was late in the third quarter when Kyler Gordon appeared to return a fumble for what would have been the game-winning touchdown. But after replay review, the play was overturned, ruling Gordon down by contact. The ebb and flow of the game summed up the night—the Bears endured another setback, which they could never fully recover from.
Caleb Williams, who completed 16 of 28 passes for 122 yards, faced the brunt of Seattle's defensive strategy. He managed to extend plays but was intercepted by Riq Woolen on fourth down with just 11 seconds remaining, solidifying the Seahawks' win. The Bears defense, which has shown vulnerabilities this season, showed up but was unable to contain the pressure fully.
Commentators highlighted the ugliness of the game, yet expressed relief for Seattle fans. One noted, "Sometimes you gotta win ugly," emphasizing how both teams demonstrated fierce defensive play over offensive prowess. This phrase rang true throughout the game as the Seahawks managed minimal offensive stats against the Bears' defense without scoring touchdowns.
Defensive standout performances from Seattle were headlined by Devon Witherspoon, who recorded several impressive tackles, and Leonard Williams, who tallied two sacks. Williams’ season total now stands at nine, asserting his position as one of the most influential defenders on the team. The team sustained high levels of pressure throughout, and Witherspoon’s energy mirrored the fierce approach the Seahawks adopted during the contest.
Despite the defensive domination showcased, the Seahawks were not without their flaws. The offensive line struggled at times, leaving Geno Smith to navigate through chaos. Nonetheless, Smith managed to keep the chains moving, working with running backs Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh. They filled the void left by Ken Walker III effectively, with Charbonnet finishing with 57 yards and McIntosh adding another 46 on the ground.
The game’s unique blend of the battlefield of attrition illustrated how both defenses handled offensive drives with ruthless efficiency, creating what many viewers considered one of the least entertaining games to watch. Although no touchdowns were scored, the spectacle of defensive discipline ensured the 6-3 result would leave each team with distinct narratives for the remainder of their seasons.
Looking forward, the Seahawks face the Green Bay Packers next, where victory would not only bolster their playoff aspirations but also signify their promising progression under head coach Mike Macdonald’s leadership and the team’s growth throughout the season.
