If the Seahawks revive their running game, it will be done without Ken Walker. The Seahawk’s leading rusher ( 573 yards) returned to the lineup against the Vikings and accounted for 31 of the Seahawks’ 59 rushing yards but sustained an ankle and was replaced by Zach Charbonnet. It was always a long shot for Walker to play this week after missing all three of the team’s practices.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CHARBONNET AND MACINTOSH
With Walker sidelined for the Bears game, Charbonnet will get his fifth start and third in the last three games. While Walker leads the team in rushing, Charbonnet leads the team in scoring with 54 points.
“That’s one of the things you like love about him; he’s the same guy every day. Incredibly prepared, runs the ball tough, runs it hard.” Said Mike Macdonald when asked about Charbonnet’s growth as a runner. “ I think he’s growing as a player and as a person. But that just speaks to his work ethic, “added Macdonald.
In addition to Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh will get reps to help revive the team’s lagging run game. The Bears’ run defense is ranked 26th, allowing 143.1 yards per game.
LOOKING FOR A FAST START
The Seahawks have chased a fast start on both sides of the ball all season with mixed results. No need to look further than the team’s 8-7 record as evidence of the mixed results due to a lack of consistency. In the last two weeks, the defense has started slow, then made the adjustments that put the offense in a position to win both games. Lack of consistency resulted in two heartbreaking losses. In the two losses, the Seahawks abandoned the run game. To avoid a third straight loss and what arguably would be the worst loss of the season on Thursday night, the Seahawks offense has to score early and often. The team must establish a run game with mixed runs between the tackles and outside of the tackles. Once a rhythm is established, use play-action passes to keep the defense guessing.
DEFENSIVE PRESSURE IS A MUST
In the loss to the Packers, the Seahawks had zero sacks and six quarterbacks. In the next game against the Vikings, the defense recorded three sacks and seven quarterback hits. On Thursday, those numbers must continue to trend upward against the Caleb Williams-led Bears offense. Williams is a dual-threat quarterback who has thrown 326 passes without an interception. In the Bear’s 34 to 17 loss to the Detroit Lions, Williams completed 26 /40 passes for 334 and two touchdowns. Williams was the Bears’ leading rusher, scoring 34 yards on six attempts. In addition to his multiple talents, Macdonald is impressed with the rookie’s ability to protect the ball and stay away from turnovers.
“It’s impressive. This game’s going to mostly come down to takeaways and how the ball is affected. We have to force situations where they have to throw the ball, but he’s done a great job,’ said Macdonald.
BIG PICTURE
The Bears are a wounded team on a nine-game losing streak but have enough talent to beat any NFL team on a given Sunday. Among the Bears, four wins were in week four, a 24-11 win over the LA Rams. That win over the Rams was the last time the Bears recorded their previous win. The Seahawks must set the tone early and keep the pressure on the Bears with no self-inflicted wounds
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