The Chicago Bears (7-6) enter Sunday's contest against the Seattle Seahawks (6-7) tottering on .500 and edging towards playoff elimination.
The Bears offense, which had routinely scored 30 or more points up until Week 12, finds itself struggling to break 10 points. The Bears defense, meanwhile, has crumbled late in games, allowing crucial drives late in each half since Week 12. Having lost by no more than 7 points in the last three week, the Bears' defenders seem to be exhausted at the ends of the halves as the offense sputters its way into punt after punt.
In Week 15, Chicago has yet another chance to revitalize their playoff hopes. The Seattle Seahawks may have only won 6 games this year, but 4 of those 6 wins have come in the last 5 weeks. Seattle is about as hot as a sub-.500 team can be. Coming off their 30-13 drubbing of the St. Louis Rams, the Seahawks boast an offense that has won by 17 points for two straight weeks, breaking 30 points in each of those games.
Led offensively by QB Tarvaris Jackson (77.9 QB rating) and RB Marshawn Lynch (4.3 yards per carry), the Seahawks offensive attack is not flashy, but can be efficient. It would appear their recent success has come largely on the merit of their impressive defense, which has snatched a combined 13 turnovers in their last 5 games.
Controlling the turnover ratio will be key to the Bears' success, as they have won all but one game this season wherein their defense took the ball away more than their offense gave it away.
Gametime: Sunday, Dec. 18 12:00 PM CST, Soldier Field
TV: FOX
Radio: WBBM