Marshawn Lynch faces the NFL's second-best rushing defense.

Seahawks at Bears: What bettors need to know

By COVERS.COM STAFF

Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears (-10, 42)

THE STORY: The Seattle Seahawks threw football bettors for a loop by outslugging the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in their Wildcard playoff game last weekend.

Marshawn Lynch's spirited 67-yard touchdown run in the closing moments of the fourth quarter sealed the fate of the Saints and opened the eyes of many who were willing to bury the Emerald City residents after they limped to the NFC West title with a 7-9 record. Next up for Pete Carroll and Co. are the NFC North champion Chicago Bears, who know just how potent Seattle can be. After all, the Seahawks went into the Windy City and posted a 23-20 victory as 6-point underdogs on October 17.

TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, FOX

LINE: Bears -10, O/U 42

This spread opened as high as -11 in favor of the Bears and has been bet down to -10 at most markets. The total has moved from its opening post of 40 points to 42, as of Saturday afternoon.

WEATHER: Partly cloudy with high temperatures reaching 19 degrees. The winds in Soldier Field are expected to be light, blowing of speeds up to 10 mph out of the northwest from corner to corner.

ABOUT THE BEARS (11-5, 9-6-1 ATS): Jay Cutler will make his postseason debut Sunday. The strong-armed quarterback completed just 17 of 39 passes against the Seahawks earlier this season, albeit for 290 yards. The Seahawks' secondary was torched for 404 yards by Drew Brees, so Cutler could be in line for solid production as well. Chicago hasn't exactly been thumping teams on offense this season. The Bears have averaging 20.9 points per game and just 188.4 passing yards per contest. Matt Forte rushed for 1,069 yards and will need to keep the Seahawks honest in order to open the field for Cutler.

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (8-9, 8-9 ATS): Officially named the starter just two days before the team's Wildcard playoff game, Matt Hasselbeck made good on the decision by tossing four touchdown passes against the Saints. Although Hasselbeck is still nursing an injured hip, he is expected to start Sunday. The 35-year-old Hasselbeck completed 25 of 40 passes for 242 yards with one touchdown against the Bears in their Week 6 encounter. Mike Williams was his most trusted target in that game, reeling in 10 receptions for 123 yards.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Although Lynch was the talk of the town following his spectacular run last weekend, Seattle's rushing attack was ranked 31st in the NFL. Taken a step further, Chicago boasts the NFC's second-best rush defense, so any success Lynch has running the ball could greatly aid in the Seahawks' bid to record a second straight upset. Lynch rushed 17 times for 44 yards and a touchdown during Seattle's victory over Chicago in Week 6. Rookie left tackle Russell Okung will be matched up against veteran defensive end Julius Peppers.

RECENT HISTORY: Seattle benefited from a tenacious defense that sacked Cutler six times in the earlier meeting. Prior to this contest, the Bears had won three of four meetings against the Seahawks, including a 27-24 overtime triumph in the postseason on Jan. 14, 2007. Chicago went on to the Super Bowl that year, losing to the Indianapolis Colts.

KEY INJURIES: Seattle — OT Chester Pitts (head), OT Russell Okung (ankl

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Posted by ronnie101
2 years ago

BILSFN15 I thought you lost this but congrats

Posted by doobiebrother
2 years ago

4* Bears (-10) over Seahawks - Seattle doesn’t belong here. Sagarin rates them the #27 team in the NFL and they are 8-9 vs. the #27 schedule. That includes their Wild Card win last week over a Saints team with nearly half their defensive starters out with injury. The Seahawks are 3-14 ATS in their last 17 road games with the losses by an average score of 33.8-13.3. They are also 2-9 away off 2 wins and 0-7 as a road dog of 8>. The Chicago offense was hampered by injuries early in the year but became much more explosive as they got healthy. The Bears averaged 18.5 PPG in the 1st half vs. teams that finished with a combined record of 51-77, but in the 2nd half scored 23.3 vs. teams that combined to go 70-58. This included home outbursts of 31 and 38 in wins over the Eagles and Jets. Chicago should easily go for 30 vs. the hapless Seattle defense . It’s unlikely the Seahawks will be able to keep up vs. a well rested Bears’ “D” that finished #4 in points allowed (17.9) and held the Packers to 10 on the road in their season finale. Chicago also has very strong special teams (#3 in punt coverage, #1 in kickoff coverage, Hester). Bears 38, Seahawks 10. Playoff record 6-0 (+12.0)

Posted by gray1
2 years ago

Chicago- 31 Seattle - 13

Posted by bilsfn15
2 years ago

SeaChickens and the over...going with a 4 team teaser as well...Hawks +17 over 36/Pats -2 over 37

Posted by ronnie101
2 years ago

Just my thoughts initially is N.O not much of a defese especially on the road. I think the bears have a better defense and have a better game than the last match up they had . Solider fie,d has been a over field so i am taking the over gambling gambling /... love it

Posted by TheTotalMan
2 years ago

Bears and under

Posted by blayl05567
2 years ago

Lay the wood and bet the over.

Posted by themyth
2 years ago

6 of the last 7 games between these 2 teams have been decided by 7 points or less. Seattle got beat by 15 points or more in their last 3 road games. Going to be cold in Chitown today. I think Stokley will have an impact in this game. Seattle, again, has that we have nothing to lose mindset, which is dangerous for a double digit favorite, as evidenced by last weeks victory over the Saints.Seattle will need to throw the ball to hang in there (their rushing is 31st vs,. the #2 ranked rush defense, so forget the run). Lots of points here. I like Seattle plus the 10 and love the over. Good luck all. The Myth

Posted by TommyToronto
2 years ago

No home crowd for Seattle. No non-exisant defence like last week (NO's D did NOT show up). The Seahawks Cinderella run ends this afternoon. BEARS & OVER.

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Top Response

Posted by bilsfn15
2 years ago

"SeaChickens and the over...going with a 4 team teaser as well...Hawks +17 over 36/Pats -2 over 37"

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Featured Free Play

MLB: Chi. Cubs vs. Cincinnati

Pick:: Cincinnati
Start:: May 25, 2013 - 4:10 PM
Capper:: Bryan Power
Offered at:: 5dimes @ -165 Cincinnati
Analysis:

1* Cincinnati (4:10 ET): I won my free play yesterday on the Reds. Given what I've seen lately from both clubs involved here, I see no reason why I shouldn't come right back with them Saturday afternoon......

With Friday's 7-4 win, Cincinnati has now won 11 of 13, including four in a row. The Cubs, on the other hand, have dropped five straight. They are also 1-6 head to head w/ the Reds this season. Going back even further, Cincy has dominated the Cubs to the tune of 18 wins in 23 games the last two seasons. That includes 15-2 L17. Now even ahead of last year's pace when they won 97 games and the NL Central, the Reds are at their high point of the season (12 games over .500). The Cubs, meanwhile, are at their low point; 11 games under the Mendoza Line.

The Cubs have been getting good starting pitching lately, but it hasn't mattered. Thus, I'll side with Homer Bailey over Travis Wood today. Bailey has a 4-0 TSR and 2.16 ERA at Great American Ballpark this season and will be facing a Cubs lineup averaging less than three runs per game at home this season. Reds continue to get it done. 1* Cincinnati.

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