The Chicago Bears will face off against the Seattle Seahawks in their Dvisional playoff game next Sunday in Chicago. The Bears could have faced either New Orleans or the Eagles, but both teams lost. Seattle beating the Saints, in a thrilling upset yesterday advances to face the Bears. The Packers defeating Philadelphia in their wild-card game.
A few weeks ago, Lovie Smith said the coaching staff of the Bears knew who they wanted to play in their playoff game. He didn't name the team, but it surely most have been Seattle. The Bears lost to Seattle earlier in the season and in that game, looked lethargic and gave the game away. I don't think the Bears are going to look lethargic when they play Seattle again. The Seahawks got a terrific performance from Matt Hasselback of Seattle. He was accurate in his throws, and provided great leadership in the franchise's shining moment. Well, Chicago you will face a team that is 8-9 for the season. Seattle is not a great team, but they played great on Sunday and dethroned the Saints.
The Saints really didn't pressure The Seahawks's QB and played softly. On the long touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch in the 4th quarter, 5 or 6 Saints defenders missed tackles. Lynch tiptoed through the Saints defense that looked like swiss cheese. It was a great run by Lynch, but the Saints lack of fundamentals on the play contributed to that run. It was that lack of tackling that helped bring the defending Super Bowls Champs down on a day when they were favored to win. But if you don't execute in this type of game, you lose. No matter what the record. So, say goodbye to the Saints, and hello to the upstart Seattle Seahawks. The Bears will be a slight favorite to win. The Bears will have to play a great game to win, because Seattle will play with extra confidence, as if they got a new lease on life. Winning a playoff game can do that to a team. But the if Bears dont show up and play a solid game, it may well be another upset in the making.
