It's a cold day in Soldier Field, as the NFC North Champion Chicago Bears host the NFC West Champion Seattle Seahawks, and it's cold, and the turf is choppy, so conditions are perfect for football in Chicago. The wind wasn't supposed to be a factor, but the snow flurries appear to be moving sideways. On Fox, Terry Bradshaw has just picked the Seattle Seahawks, so that's more bad news for Seattle fans.
The Bears kick to Seattle's Leon Washington, who brings it out to the 23 yard line. Matt Hasselbeck hands off to Washington, who runs for nine, on second down Marshawn Lynch is swarmed behind the line of scrimmage, for a loss of two. On third down, Brandon Stokely can't hang on, and the Seahawks punt.
Devin Hester fair catches at the 34 yard line. Jay Cutler hands to Matt Forte for five, on second down Forte is jammed up the middle but slides around end for three yards. On third down Jay Cutler rears back and finds Greg Olsen downfield on the run, and he goes to the end zone untouched.
7-0 Bears.
The Seahawks start near their own 25 yard line.Tight end John Carlson goes up for a pass and falls hard head first to the turf. It's a long stoppage, and they will take him out on the cart. It's very quiet and solemn on the field and sidelines, making it seem as though he's seriously hurt.
He's taken off the field, the Seahawks are at their 38, and cross midfield on the next play. Hasselbeck hits Cameron Morrah perfectly, but he drops the ball. Second down and Brian Urlacher stuffs the run at the line. Morrah gets close on third down, but can't convert, and they'll punt.
Hester is back, he lets it go, and it hops out of bounds near the nine yard line.
Forte gets back to the line on first down, and then Cutler hits a wide open Johnny Knox for 18 yards.
First down, and Cutler throws incomplete to Olsen, Forte breaks a tackle on second down, and gets six. But Cutler can't escape Lofa Tatupu, and the Bears will punt.
Golden Tate fair catches around the Seahawks 37, and Hasselbeck and the Seahawks will start with good field position.
The snow is coming down heavy, and Marshawn Lynch is brought down for no gain. Mike Williams gets seven on the slant, and Tim Jennings breaks up the third down pass. They'll punt.
This time Hester has a sliver of room and he takes 26 yards to midfield, before being pushed out of bounds.
Matt Forte goes up the middle for five, and the Bears O-line is making room. Cutler finds Olsen on the sideline, and he almost breaks it for another TD, First down near the ten.
Jay Cutler makes a block for Earl Bennett who gets to the three. On second and one, Cutler almost gets picked in the end zone, but the ball is dropped. On third down Forte appears short. As time is running, Lovie Smith who wanted a measurement, is forced to call timeout.
Cutler gets the first on the sneak. They're right at the goal line, and on second down Chester Taylor walks in for the touchdown.
14-0 Bears
With 1:19 left in the quarter, the Seahawks will receive. Washington is taken down by Corey Graham, at the 2b. Hasselbeck tosses a screen to Justin Forsett, who fights for six yards. A motion penalty pushes them back and it's second and eight. They get it back to the 33 as time expires in the first quarter.
14-0 Bears