The Bears can’t be focused on draft positioning, and even with their playoff hopes long gone, they need a win Thursday against the Seahawks at Soldier Field.
At minimum, they must play competitively enough to make it a real game all the way to the end. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has been taking some relatively empty snaps in blowout losses that aren’t doing him much good in the long run.
Here are three keys to the Bears giving the Seahawks a good run, and maybe even winning to snap their nine-game losing streak:
1. Fast start
If the Bears fall behind significantly early in the game, there’s minimal chance they can rally from that. The were down 24-0 against the 49ers, 13-0 against the Vikings and 20-0 against the Lions the last three weeks and never got back into the game. They’ve scored the fewest first-quarter points in the NFL — just 17 all season — and punted on their opening possession 12 of 15 times.
2. Decisive in pocket
It’s true that Williams has been playing behind an inadequate offensive line, but his league-high 60 sacks taken is not entirely on the protection. Williams has often held on to the ball too long in the pocket out of indecision, and he’s had issues missing open receivers lately.
3. Cover Two
No, not the formation. The Bears need to cover two excellent Seahawks receivers in two-time Pro Bowl selection DK Metcalf and up-and-comer Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba is fifth in the league with 1,089 yards, sixth with 93 catches and has six touchdowns. Much like the Vikings, the Seahawks present two dangerous downfield playmakers, and the Bears will need more than just Jaylon Johnson to show up with a great performance. They’ll need equally steady coverage from Kyler Gordon and Terell Smith and/or Tyrique Stevenson.