Seattle Seahawks fans got the defense they expected in a 20-3 win over Kansas City last Sunday. Monday night at Lumen Field brings a different kind of test: a 5-2 Chicago team that just sent two first-round picks to Tennessee for Jeffery Simmons.
Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN. Here’s where Seattle can attack the Bears, and where it’s vulnerable.
Bears weaknesses the Seahawks can exploit
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Cam Lewis and a pass defense allowing 8.7 yards per throw
Chicago allows 8.7 yards per pass attempt, the worst mark in the NFL. Safety Cam Lewis was targeted three times against New England and gave up three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown, according to PFF. Coby Bryant, the safety Chicago signed away from Seattle in March, is still recovering from August knee surgery, per ChicagoBears.com.
That’s a soft spot for an offense coming off 150 yards and a touchdown from Jaxon Smith-Njigba and 257 passing yards from Sam Darnold.
Caleb Williams holds the ball too long
For all the MVP talk, Williams has been sacked 12 times on 150 dropbacks in four games. His pressure-to-sack rate of 17.6% ranks 27th of 35 quarterbacks and his 3.44-second average time to throw ranks 23rd, per PFF.
That’s an invitation for Byron Murphy II, whose 77.3 pass-rush grade ranks ninth among 126 interior defenders, with 21 pressures. Uchenna Nwosu (ankle) missed Thursday’s practice, so DeMarcus Lawrence and Derick Hall could see more snaps off the edge.
Devin Bush and a run defense allowing 4.4 yards per carry
Chicago ranks eighth in rushing yards allowed, but its 4.4 yards per carry ties for 22nd. Linebacker Devin Bush carries a 48.5 run-defense grade, 69th of 75 linebackers on his PFF page, and he allowed six catches on six targets against the Patriots, according to PFF.
Seattle’s backfield is getting healthier. First-round pick Jadarian Price returned to practice after four games on injured reserve, and Zach Charbonnet was a full participant Thursday. Emanuel Wilson ran for 100 yards against the Chiefs, but he averages 3.6 yards per carry for the season.
Seahawks weaknesses they need to hide
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Sam Darnold’s eight interceptions
Darnold has thrown eight interceptions in seven games, and PFF charges him with 11 turnover-worthy plays, 26th among 35 quarterbacks. As we wrote before the Chiefs game, his turnovers are the problem, and he threw another pick against Kansas City.
Chicago has only four interceptions, but D’Marco Jackson’s red-zone pick of Drake Maye swung the Oct. 22 win over New England. Malik Muhammad and Dillon Thieneman each have five passes defensed. The Chiefs game showed how Seattle hides it: 37 runs on 69 snaps, according to PFF.
Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat against a reshuffled line
Chicago’s front got nastier this week. Simmons led all interior linemen with 11 sacks in 2025, and Montez Sweat returns from a two-game suspension with two sacks in five starts.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to add a player, and a human, like Jeffery to our team,” general manager Ryan Poles said in the team’s announcement.
Seattle’s line is in flux. Quenton Nelson debuts at left guard, Grey Zabel moves to right guard and Charles Cross (ankle) missed Thursday’s practice, leaving Josh Jones at left tackle. Center Jalen Sundell graded 41.7 as a run blocker against Kansas City, according to PFF. Quick throws and the same run-first plan that beat the Chiefs are the best cover.
Protect the football and make Williams hold it, and Seattle should handle a Bears team riding high. Let Simmons wreck the interior early, and Monday gets uncomfortable fast.
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- Are Jadarian Price, Zach Charbonnet Playing in Week 9? What We Know About Seattle’s Running Backs
- 6 Make-or-Break Players Who Will Shape the Seahawks’ Monday Night Test Against the 5-2 Bears
