Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Bears were able to get a nice home win in Matt Eberflus’ head coaching debut, beating Kansas City 19-14 last Saturday. Make no mistake, the Chiefs shredded the Bears’ first-team defense, but Chicago got a nice showing from rookies and backups to outscore Kansas City 19-0 in the second half.
The Seahawks did not get in the win column last week, taking the 32-25 loss in the closing seconds against Pittsburgh. Despite that defeat, Seattle is a -3.5 favorite on Thursday night as the Bears seem set to go with a lot of backups while traveling on a short week.
6-10 Snaps From Chicago Starters
We don’t have to wonder how much we’ll see from the likes of Justin Fields or Darnell Mooney on the Bears’ offense Thursday night, as Eberflus has already said starters are only going to play 6-10 snaps. There could be exceptions to that rule, though, especially in the form of second-year guard Teven Jenkins who just this week made the move from tackle.
It’s not a huge deal that the Bears won’t be playing starters on either side of the ball that long, because their second string looked electric last week. Trevor Siemian is an experienced NFL starter who was 7/13 with 2 TDs last week vs. K.C. Third-string QB Nathan Peterman also has four starts from his time with Buffalo.
It wasn’t just Chicago’s backup offense that shined last week; their young defense looked good, too, led by undrafted rookie Jack Sanborn who had seven tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. It’s apparent the system Eberflus brought over from Indianapolis is already working.
Seattle Won’t Get QB Answers
Geno Smith has been Seattle’s first-string quarterback for most of this offseason, but coach Pete Carroll decided to switch that after Drew Lock was 11-15 with two TDs last weekend against the Steelers. However, after a positive COVID test, Lock will now miss the Bears game, and it’s back on Smith.
Now you have to wonder if Carroll gives Smith valuable game reps, or if he sees it as senseless since the Bears are playing backups after one series? It’s not like Smith played bad last week (10-15, 101 yards), but he also already knows the system after starting three games when Russell Wilson was hurt last year.
The Seahawks know they won’t have Kenneth Walker III, the rookie who had over 1,600 yards rushing at Michigan State last year, because of a hernia. One positive note about Lock being out is that the team will get an extensive look at QB Jacob Eason, who they claimed off waivers from the Colts last season but didn’t play in the preseason opener.
Bears at Seahawks Pick and Prediction
Seattle has a lot of questions and absences on the offensive side of the football, but it might be their defense that has more concerns following the preseason opener.
All three Steelers QBs led touchdown drives last week, including former Bear Mitch Trubisky, who was 4/7 for 63 yards, as well as rookie Kenny Pickett who was 13/15 for 95 yards and 2 TDs in his first NFL action.
Through one game, new Bears GM Ryan Poles looks like a genius because his rookies and undrafted signees made significant contributions in the preseason opener.
Carroll has gone 4-0 or 3-1 five times in the preseason during his Seattle tenure, so he obviously values winning this time of year, but so does Eberflus, who is trying to build a culture.
Pick: Chicago +3.5
