The suddenly hot Seahawks will attempt to reach the NFC Championship Game today as they visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The two teams, which met way back in week six, are scheduled to kickoff at 1:00pm ET on FOX. 2011 NFL Playoff Picks are favoring the Bears by 10 points in this afternoon's Divisional Round clash; the Over/Under is set at 43.
Seattle played the role of the dog in most
of its games down the stretch, and deservedly so. The Seahawks had lost seven of nine in rather ugly fashion leading up to their regular season finale against the Rams. In fact, Pete Carroll's squad performed so horrendously that they were a 2.5 point home dog in the NFC West deciding meeting with St. Louis at Qwest Field.
The Seahawks must have started to take offense because they have pieced together two great performances. First they dispatched the Rams 16-6 to get into the postseason and then they took out the defending champion Saints 41-36 in last weekend's Wild Card game, where they were a 10 point home dog.
Now Seattle finds itself facing long odds once again as a 10 point road dog to the Bears today. The Seahawks should have a shot to keep things rolling, afterall, they have a blueprint for taking out Chicago at Soldier Field.
Seattle beat the Bears 23-20 after holding Jay Cutler and company to 15 first downs, 0-for-12 on third down, and 307 total yards.
Chicago, which was listed at +200 Super Bowl Odds before yesterday's games, may be more prepared this time around, though, after having a week off to survey that game as well as the Seahawks shocking upset of the Saints. The Bears offense and Cutler have improved since losing to Seattle as well.
This game will probably come down to turnovers and special teams, which certainly gives Chicago the upper hand. The Bears, which scored on an 89 Devin Hester punt return in their first meeting with the Seahawks, are +4 in turnover margin on the season. Seattle possesses a dangerous return weapon as well in Leon Washington; however, they have been lacking in ball security all season, ranking 27th in turnover margin at -9.
Seattle did not turn the ball over against Chicago the first time these two teams got together, and they have played it even in their last two victories. In order for them to have any chance today they must protect the ball and keep Hester in check or at least match the Bears in both categories. Here's saying they will not be able to pull that off.
NFL Odds Betting Trend: The Seahawks are 2-8 against the spread and 1-9 straight up in their last 10 games as a raod dog with a total between 41.5 and 44 (Over was 9-1 in those games).
Seattle Seahawks vs Chicago Bears 2011 NFL Playoff Picks:
Seattle Seahawks +10 (-110), Over 43 (-110), +400 (Moneyline)
Chicago Bears -10 (-110), Under 43 (-110), -500 (Moneyline)
