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Week 19 Game Recap: Seattle Seahawks 24, Chicago Bears 27What you need to know
RB Shaun Alexander posted 108 yards rushing and two touchdowns against a very stout Bears’ defense. Seattle utilized draws and delays catching the Chicago linebackers backpedaling on many second half plays. However, the Seahawks’ offensive line wasn’t able to get even the slightest of advantages on short yardage plays. QB Matt Hasselbeck had Seattle in position to win the game multiple times, but couldn’t push the Seahawks over the hump and get into field goal range. Both of the final two Seattle drives were one ten yard completion away from getting into PK Josh Brown’s range. WR Darrell Jackson returned to the field and played a big role in the Seattle passing game with nine first half passing targets, but disappeared in the second half with none. He was on the field running routes, but Hasselbeck looked more towards Deion Branch and Bobby Engram down the stretch.
RB Thomas Jones carried the load early in the game scoring two touchdowns on fourteen carries in the first half. However, backup RB Cedric Benson was the featured ball carrier in the fourth quarter and overtime. Benson held a 10:2 advantage in touches combined in the fourth quarter and overtime. Both Jones and Benson ran well, but the power of Benson is undeniable in comparison. QB Rex Grossman was the best quarterback on the field today. He made plays late in the game. His interception wasn’t his fault as it bounced off the shoulder of WR Muhsin Muhammad. Needing a play in the overtime Grossman hit WR Rashied Davis with a 30 yard pass that allowed PK Robbie Gould to kick the game winner. The Bears’ defense and special teams weren’t the giant advantage that most expected. Return specialist Devon Hester continues to have major issues fumbling and mishandling the ball. The pass rush was only able to generate two sacks, and the linebackers were constantly caught off guard by Seattle draw plays, but to their credit they dominated consistently in short yardage situations late in the game.
What you ought to know
Hasselbeck nearly opened the game with an interception. Trying to avoid a blitz he unloaded a quick out in the direction of WR Darrell Jackson. The pass hit a defender in the chest and bounced into the air where it luckily fell into the hands of Jackson for an eight yard gain. On his second possession Hasselbeck marched Seattle down field completing four passes capped by his touchdown pass to WR Nate Burleson. He took several big hits early in the pocket, but Seattle adjusted with more max protection soon after. Hasselbeck nearly threw another interception deep down the middle of field on a pass intended for Jackson. LB Brian Urlacher was running with Jackson on the play and easily knocked it away. Hasselbeck was one ten yard completion away from giving PK Josh Brown a chance to win the game on several plays, but couldn’t put the capper on drives giving him a chance.
Alexander was shut down early in the game. The Chicago front seven was able to dominate at the point of attack on most run plays meeting him in the backfield or the line of scrimmage. Near the end of the first quarter Alexander was able to pop thirteen and seven yard runs after the fumble by QB Rex Grossman. Alexander got three more carries inside the ten yard line running hard and breaking tackles. He capped the scoring drive with a four yard touchdown run on fourth down plowing forward showing good shoulder lean driving with his legs. During the second Seattle drive in the third quarter Alexander showed a burst that hasn’t been seen in some time. He exploded up the middle for ten and thirteen yards off draw plays that caught the Bears napping. The thirteen yard run went for his second touchdown. He met two defenders at the two yard line, but bulled through them falling into the end zone. In the second half Alexander abused the Chicago defense with draw plays catching the Bears’ linebackers backpedaling, but when trying to run the ball on straight running plays Alexander was easily shut down. Late in the game they had a chance to convert short yardage runs on consecutive running plays, but Alexander was met in the backfield on each attempt.
Morris had only a few carries through the game giving starting RB Shaun Alexander a blow.
Strong didn’t get a touch in the game. In the fourth quarter TE Will Heller was seen in the backfield on multiple running plays lined up as the fullback.
Jackson saw two targets to open the first Seattle possession. The first was bounced in by QB Matt Hasselbeck. The second was thrown into the hands of a cornerback before it was deflected up into the air. Jackson had the ball fall into his hands and ran for an eight yard gain. Hasselbeck went right back to Jackson on their next possession for a long 24 yard pass up the left seam. He made a nice sliding catch on the play. Three plays later he converted a third and ten on the right sideline to keep a drive alive. Midway through the second quarter Jackson bobbled an out route pass that would have converted a third and seven on the right sideline. He wasn’t able to secure the pass until he was out of bounds. On the following Seattle possession he dropped another third down pass that would have converted a first down. In fairness, the pass was slightly thrown behind him by Hasselbeck. Jackson wasn’t targeted even once in the second half of the game.
Branch saw his first target on a deep ball down the left sideline late in the first quarter. He gained some separation on the play, but QB Matt Hasselbeck overthrew him. Branch dug the Seattle offense out of a hole with consecutive receptions on midway through the third quarter. Facing second and fifteen Branch caught eleven and 22 yard passes from Hasselbeck leading to the second Alexander touchdown.
Engram didn’t see his first target until late in the second quarter. QB Matt Hasselbeck tried to hit him on a go route to the back of the end zone, but the pass was too far and out of the back of the end zone. Engram got the Seattle offense rolling at the start of the third quarter with three receptions on three targets marching the Seahawks down field setting up the Brown 40 yard field goal. On two of the receptions Hasselbeck came off his primary target and hit Engram for eight yard gains.
Burleson scored the first Seahawks’ points on the first play of the second quarter. On a third and four he caught a slant down to the two yard line. He took a big hit from the cornerback in the lower back, but kept his feet and made a fantastic leaping lunge to the end zone with his arms stretched forward for the score.
Hackett was on the inactive list for this game due to his injured ankle.
Heller saw his first target near the end of the first quarter. He pulled in a short pass in the middle of the field by sitting down in the middle of the Bears’ zone for a nine yard gain on first down. He lined up as the fullback on several plays late in the game on short yardage running plays.
Early in the game QB Matt Hasselbeck was taking several big hits from the Bears’ pass rush. The Seahawks adjusted by keeping Stevens in the backfield on passing downs for added pass protection. He saw his first targets midway through the third quarter on back to back plays. In the red zone, Hasselbeck tried to hit him on a corner route in the end zone, but LB Hunter Hillenmeyer did a great job of staying with him and knocking the pass away. Stevens caught both of his last two targets in the fourth quarter.
Brown made a 40 yard field goal and converted all of his extra point attempts.
The Seahawks had major issues wrapping up on their tackles. They frequently used shoulders trying to make big hits, but allowed ball carriers to bounce away and pick up extra yards. Early in the game starting RB Thomas Jones kept the chains moving with eight carries on the opening drive finishing it off with a nine yard touchdown. He also scored from seven yards out just before halftime. Late in the game Seattle couldn’t stop backup RB Cedric Benson. Benson powered over and around tacklers keeping Bears’ drives alive.
Converted safety Jordan Babineaux missed an opportunity to make a big pay early when QB Rex Grossman put a deep pass in his hands, but the ball slipped through and was caught by WR Rashied Davis for a long gain. On the follow possession Babineaux crushed Grossman in the backfield off a corner blitz causing an apparent fumble, but it was ruled an incomplete pass. Just before halftime LB Julian Peterson came on a blitz sacking Grossman on a third and seven play. He forced a fumble that led to the first Alexander touchdown. Opening the second half Seattle recorded two quick sacks by DE Grant Wistrom and DT Rocky Bernard. They continued to drop their defensive backs into a three deep coverage as they have been the last two weeks.
Grossman started the game hitting two of his first three passes on the opening touchdown drive. He hit WR Rashied Davis deep across the middle for a 37 yard gain on third and ten to keep the drive alive. The pass was tipped and went through the hands of CB Jordan Babineaux before Davis was able to secure the reception. On the following possession Babineaux tagged Grossman hard off a corner blitz. He fumbled on the play, but the ruling on the field was that his arm was moving forward and the play was ruled an incomplete pass. Grossman hit WR Bernard Berrian down the middle of the field on a beautifully thrown bomb for a 68 yard touchdown answering Seattle’s touchdown within seconds regaining the lead. Near the end of the second quarter on a third and seven play Grossman retreated on a deep drop facing a Seattle blitz. LB Julian Peterson sacked him and forced a fumble that led to the first Alexander touchdown. At the start of the fourth quarter Chicago drove deep into Seattle territory and kicked a game tying field goal, but a penalty pulled the points off the board and Chicago continued the drive. Grossman threw an interception to end the drive, but the ball was on WR Muhsin Muhammad near the goal line. Muhammad allowed the ball to pop up into the air before it was picked off. Grossman didn’t make plays downfield through the third and fourth quarter, but responded big in the overtime period. He hit WR Rashied Davis with a deep pass up the right seam putting the Bears in range for the game winning field goal.
Jones got a heavy workload early. On the first Chicago possession Jones got eight carries capped by a nine yard touchdown. He ran well up the middle because the Seahawk interior defensive line was getting blown off the ball. On the few carries that the Bears tried to run to the outside Jones was run down and stopped for little or no gain. Just before halftime Jones scored his second touchdown on a fourth down carry at the Seattle seven yard line. He was able to score both of his touchdowns behind the right side of the Chicago offensive line going in untouched. Late in the game Jones gave way to backup RB Cedric Benson.
Benson stepped in for starting RB Thomas Jones early in the second quarter after Jones had already logged eleven carries. He took his first touch around left end for a solid twelve yard gain. He stayed in the game and pounded out another nine yard run on the following Bears possession running over tacklers showing great power and balance. Benson saw a dramatic increase in his touches in the fourth quarter. He pulled in three passes and got four carries during the drive that allowed the Bears to tie the game late. He broke multiple tackles running through weak Seahawk arm tackles. He had all three carries for the Bears in the overtime.
Berrian saw his first target on the second play of the game. QB Rex Grossman hit him on a quick out setting up a third and short. At the start of the second quarter Berrian ran a go route down the center of the field. Grossman hit him in stride for the 68 yard touchdown answering the Seahawks score that had previously tied the game. Just after a Seattle turnover early in the fourth quarter Berrian dropped a deep cross that might have been a touchdown. Grossman put the ball on his back shoulder slightly behind him, but he was alone on the pay and should have made the reception.
Davis got his first touch running an end around on the first Chicago possession that went for nine yards on a first down play. Three plays later QB Rex Grossman hit him deep across the middle for a 37 yard gain on third and ten. The pass went through the hands of CB Jordan Babineaux and got tipped. Davis did a great job of concentrating on the ball securing the reception and followed that up with a great run after the catch. Davis caught his second target on a quick hitter off the line of scrimmage. He sprinted for eighteen yards into the Seattle red zone setting up the second touchdown by RB Thomas Davis. However, he limped to the sideline at the end of the play with an apparent injured ankle. Davis returned to the field and made the play setting up the game winning field goal. Grossman hit him deep up the right seam with a 30 yard pass play that allowed PK Robbie Gould to kick the game winner.
Muhammad pulled in his first target on the second Chicago drive on a quick eight yard hitch in the right flat. Just before halftime Muhammad gave the Bears’ offense a jumpstart with a 21 yard reception up the left seam. He followed up that play with another nine yard reception helping to set up the second touchdown by RB Thomas Jones. Muhammad saw two passing targets during the third quarter. The first was a quick hitter at the line of scrimmage that drew a pass interference flag. The second was a deep ball down the left sideline on a double move. He forced CB Kelly Jennings into an illegal contact flag with the move because he would have blown by him for a score on the play. At the start of the fourth quarter QB Rex Grossman hit Muhammad near the goal line on the back should. The ball popped up into the air and was intercepted by a Seattle defensive back.
Bradley saw his first target deep into the second quarter. It was second and eight when QB Rex Grossman missed him deep down the left sideline. Bradley created good separation on the play beating the cornerback, but QB Rex Grossman put the pass too far out in front where he couldn’t even get a hand on the pass. Midway through the second quarter he caught a quick out on a second and ten play for four yards. As he was getting tackled on the play he rolled over on his ankle. Trying to limp and hop to the sidelines he went down to the ground. Trainers had to help him off the field and he didn’t return in the game.
Clark caught his first target to start the second Bear drive in the third quarter. He had one other target during the overtime period, but was largely uninvolved in the Bears passing attack.
Gould missed out on a 30 yard field goal when Seattle was penalized for initiating a Chicago off sides penalty. Gould made the kick, but the Bears took the points off the board and shortly after QB Rex Grossman threw an interception. Gould kicked the game winner in overtime tying his career long of 49 yards.
The Bears dominated the point of attack on most running plays. They hit RB Shaun Alexander in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage on most of his carries. However, the Chicago linebackers got caught backpedaling on draw plays. Alexander had runs of 10, 10, 13, and 11 yards during the second half on draws and delays.
The Bears nearly were able to create turnovers using their pass rush. They hurried QB Matt Hasselbeck into throwing the ball too quickly on several plays. He hit two Chicago defenders on separate plays, but neither resulted in an interception during the first half. The pass rush did have two sacks in the game, but neither was game changing or created a turnover. CB Ricky Manning intercepted a pass at the start of the fourth quarter responding to an interception by QB Rex Grossman on the previous play, but again the Bears offense couldn’t convert it into points.
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