The Seattle Seahawks welcome the Chicago Bears to Lumen Field for a Week 8 Monday Night Football matchup on November 2 at 8:20 p.m. ET. Seattle enters on a high note after snapping a two-game skid with a victory over the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, while Chicago has won both games since quarterback Caleb Williams returned from injury, improving to 5-2 on the season.
Bears offense vs. Seahawks defense
In three starts not affected by a rain-soaked game against Minnesota, Williams has led the Bears to 59, 31, and 30 points, amassing 552, 368, and 405 yards with only two turnovers. For the season, he has completed 71% of passes at 8.2 yards per attempt, with five touchdowns and one interception, adding 128 rushing yards and two scores. His average depth of throw is 7.0 yards, yet he generates explosive plays at the third-highest rate in the league (10.7% of dropbacks), aided by 6.4 yards after catch per completion — fourth best in the NFL. Seattle's defense, however, allows just 4.5 yards after catch per completion (third best) and excels in rally tackling. The Seahawks also rank elite against the run, holding Kenneth Walker III in check last week, which will test Chicago's 48.7% rush rate led by D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson.
Seahawks offense vs. Bears defense
Seattle's attack revolves around wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL with 867 receiving yards, 43 receiving first downs, and eight touchdowns. He commands a 36.3% target share and a 33.9% targets-per-route-run rate, both league highs. His 867 yards dwarf the combined 562 of the next three Seahawks receivers (AJ Barner, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed), and Shaheed is out for Monday's game. The Bears lack a defender capable of covering Smith-Njigba one-on-one; their best chance is pressuring quarterback Sam Darnold, who leads the NFL with eight interceptions and has struggled under pressure (26-of-66, 331 yards, two touchdowns, four picks). Chicago's interior defensive addition Jeffery Simmons could disrupt the pocket, though he faces a strong guard duo in Quenton Nelson and Grey Zabel and may see limited snaps in his debut.
Key injuries and returns
Seattle's running game should receive a boost from the expected returns of Zach Charbonnet (ACL tear from last season) and Jadarian Price (chest injury since Week 3). The incumbent duo of Emanuel Wilson and George Holani has been largely ineffective. Chicago's run defense has allowed 4.4 yards per carry, ranking 23rd in the league.
Prediction
Seattle's defense appears to be rounding into the form expected before the season. After shutting down Walker last week, they should similarly contain Swift, placing the game on Williams' shoulders. While the rookie quarterback is capable, doing so against Mike Macdonald's unit is a steep challenge, especially if Seattle's revived ground game finds traction. The pick: Seahawks 24, Bears 20.
