Bears @ Seahawks
Final Score: Bears 25, Seahawks 24
Writer: Mike Miklius (@SIRL0INofBEEF on Twitter)
On a snow-covered field in Seattle, Chicago dominated time of possession early in this one, holding the ball for more than 10 minutes of the first quarter. However, Seattle put the first touchdown up on the board with a long strike to D.K. Metcalf and then the Bears stalled out on the following possession. Seattle went into halftime with a 17-7 lead and seemingly all the momentum. The second half started with a pair of punts, followed by both teams putting up a touchdown to make it 24-14. Chicago added a field goal followed by a Seattle missed field goal. Chicago went on one more scoring drive, capped off with a successful two-point conversion to take the late 25-24 win. Russell Wilson had the ball in his hands with the game on the line, but they ran out of gas and the Bears stole the victory. Chicago hosts the Giants next week while the Seahawks host the Lions.
The scene in Seattle for Bears vs. Seahawks today 😮 ❄️ pic.twitter.com/t8uBEdrCx4
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 26, 2021
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Nick Foles: 24/35, 250 yards, TD, 4 sacks | 4 carries, 8 yards
We’ve seen the Andy Dalton version of this offense and the Justin Fields potential the future holds, so now it’s time for the Nick Foles experience once again. Foles played mostly well, though the offense looked mostly uninspiring. Foles made a nice throw here and there, but he is just the healthiest guy at the moment–nothing more. What we can pay attention to is his tendency to target the running backs. David Montgomery feasted in this game plan and it’s reasonable to think it could repeat next week if Foles is still at the helm.
Running Back
David Montgomery: 21 carries, 45 yards, TD | 9 targets, 7 receptions, 61 yards
Khalil Herbert: 2 carries, 21 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
Damien Williams: 1 carry, 12 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards
David Montgomery was completely bottled up today, averaging under 2 yards per carry if we take out his 11-yard long run of the day. Still, he made up for it in the air–catching a team-leading seven passes on nine targets. Montgomery still makes some infuriating drops, but he is good enough to be useful when the game script calls for it. Khalil Herbert only saw three touches, but he made them count. Herbert broke a 20-yard run, utilizing a nice early move, and scored on the play. Herbert still screams out ‘future of the backfield’ and he is still someone I’d love to buy in dynasty. It’s only one more year at most before Montgomery is gone.
great run by David Montgomery!!! trucked Sidney Jones… 🐻 pic.twitter.com/ofJ7MH9h5K
— [C] (@tym2g3thi) December 26, 2021
David Montgomery finishes the drive with a TD and a snow angel! ❄️ #DaBears
📺: #CHIvsSEA on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/v3UGA8ckzG— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2021
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Darnell Mooney: 9 targets, 5 receptions, 57 yards
Cole Kmet: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 49 yards
Jimmy Graham: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 30 yards, TD
Marquise Goodwin: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards
Darnell Mooney led the way for the pass-catchers, and he continues to show great fight after the catch. On his longest catch of the day, he fought hard through initial contact and simply refused to be taken down, picking up 30 yards on the play. Mooney plays well with the ball in his hands, and he can be a huge threat if he keeps working on his moves to get open at the line. Cole Kmet saw a handful of targets as well and he still shows plenty of promise. That being said, the same problem still lingers: he is giving up targets to Jimmy Graham in the red zone. Graham stole a touchdown today. Kmet needs that work to become the tight end we dream of.
Clutch. @NickFoles hits @TheJimmyGraham for the TD!#WPMOYChallenge | #CHIvsSEA pic.twitter.com/yUX0ZXC4al
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 27, 2021
Damiere Byrd had one of the best catches of the season to convert a two-point conversion after Graham’s touchdown, clinching the victory for Chicago and showing off his sticky hands. He was nonexistent otherwise, but this is worth a watch.
This is an incredible catch by Damiere Byrd here. Wow. #Bears pic.twitter.com/JT02ea2UeI
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) December 27, 2021
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Russell Wilson: 16/27, 181 yards, 2 TD, 2 sacks | 2 carries, 13 yards
Russell Wilson has been struggling for most of the year, and the Seahawks have had a hard time putting up points like they did to start last season. If we take away one long pass to D.K. Metcalf, Wilson only tallied 140 yards on the day and things look even worse. This passing attack is uninspiring and, though capable of big moments, fails to deliver them consistently enough. I still feel like this group can find the magic again next season, but the more bad losses we see, the less and less reason it feels like there is to hope. Personally, I’m buying the pieces of this offense heading into next season if I can get a discount. I’m still a Wilson believer.
SEAHAWKS TOUCHDOWN!! RUSS TO DK METCALF!!! pic.twitter.com/2NzU4R5keE
— Sami ON Tap (@SamiOnTap) December 26, 2021
Running Back
Rashaad Penny: 17 carries, 135 yards, TD | 1 target
DeeJay Dallas: 4 carries, 15 yards | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 23 yards
I have to hand it to Rashaad Penny: when he’s healthy, I see why he was a first-round draft pick. He is a talented runner, and he is worth the lead-back role he currently holds. He had a number of impressive runs through the Bears’ defense and I thought he would help ice the game. If I was only looking at talent, I would label Penny a landslide buy for next season as there isn’t anyone else inspiring in this backfield. That being said, I can’t overlook the Penny health issues that regularly pop up. Penny has been the picture of unhealthy as he failed to reach 11 games in any of the last three seasons. If you believe the talent, Penny is gonna be big. If injury scares you, stay far away
Rashaad Penny running wild in the snow. #Seahawks @pennyhendrixx
📺: #CHIvsSEA on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/F6fJXtnUMO— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2021
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Gerald Everett: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 68 yards
D.K. Metcalf: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 41 yards, TD
Tyler Lockett: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 30 yards
As Russell Wilson struggles, so does the rest of the offense. D.K. Metcalf made his day on the early 40-yard touchdown grab but was otherwise silent. Metcalf had single coverage against a rookie corner, and you can imagine how that turned out. He got past him, the corner fell down, and the Bears were soon down 7-0. Tyler Lockett made a nice catch or two as well, but was equally quiet. Gerald Everett was the biggest presence in my opinion, and he looked impressive today running down the field. The issue is that Everett just isn’t reliable enough either: that’s only his second 60+ yard game in his last 6 outings. Ultimately, this offense mostly inspires ‘stay-away’ vibes aside from Penny.
— Mike Miklius (@SIRL0INofBEEF on Twitter)