Seahawks defense saves Chicago season: “They did their best”

CHICAGO – Ernest Jones IV treasures these moments.

Instead of throwing the ball on fourth-and-5 while trailing by three points at their own 34 with under three minutes left, the Chicago Bears brought their offense back onto the field, meaning Jones and the Seattle defense Seahawks had to do the same. Jones sprinted to the center of the field, jumping up and down and clenching his right fist excitedly. The game and the season were essentially on the line and it was up to Seattle’s defense to pull out the win.

Jones couldn’t wait.

“That’s what I live for,” the Seahawks middle linebacker said, “for the defense to be out there and have an opportunity to finish the game.”

Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams kept the drive alive with a combination of volatility and arm talent, managing to convert fourth down and a few more chain-moving completions and setting up fourth-and-10 from the 40 with 20 seconds left. However, his last attempt to show magic in the fourth quarter failed as Riq Woolen intercepted a 50-50 ball at rain-soaked Soldier Field on Thursday evening to secure a season-saving victory with a final score of 6-3.

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SELECTED! The Riq Woolen comes to intercept @Seahawks to seal it. pic.twitter.com/i01rH3XeDd

– NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2024

“That’s what elite defenses are for,” said safety Coby Bryant, who also relished the chance to back up the Seattle defense’s dominant day with another stop. “Don’t bend or break.”

Seattle’s defense recorded a season-high seven sacks and allowed a season-low 179 yards, delivering its best performance when it was needed most. By improving to 9-7, the Seahawks remain in contention for the NFC West title, which is their only path to the postseason. They will now be hoping that the Arizona Cardinals (7-8) win or draw on the road against the Los Angeles Rams (9-6) on Saturday, which automatically sets up a win-and-in game between Seattle and Los Angeles would LA in week 18.

With a win on Saturday, the Rams wouldn’t clinch the division, but they would have a stranglehold on it as Seattle would have to rely on a number of specific results from other games in the league to avoid losing the strength of. Win tiebreaker.

Thanks to Seattle’s defense, anything was possible.

“These guys won us the game today,” receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said. “They did their best. They dominated. Without them, damn it, we’d be sad as hell right now. But they came through for us.”

The Bears (4-12) have lost 10 straight and ranked 26th in points per drive in this game. Seattle has a top-10 scoring defense, so it’s no surprise that coach Mike Macdonald’s squad was able to overwhelm Williams and the Bears. But the Seahawks’ offense upped the difficulty of their defense, putting up six points on nine possessions and going scoreless in the second half. Seattle entered Chicago territory three times and kicked two field goals in the first half, then turned the ball over over midfield on its third visit when tight end Pharaoh Brown lost a fumble. This was the first time this season that the Seahawks failed to score an offensive touchdown.

Running backs Zach Charbonnet (57 yards) and Kenny McIntosh (46 yards) combined for 103 yards on 22 attempts, and quarterback Geno Smith had just six incompletions, but third down was a struggle for Seattle, which converted just five of 13 attempts .

“We didn’t finish the drives,” center Olu Oluwatimi said. “We ran the ball pretty well, but we have to have a killer attitude when we start getting first downs to keep drives going.”

The Seahawks led 6-3 through two quarters after scoring on the first and last drives of the first half. They covered 71 yards and reached the Chicago 9-yard line on their first drive, but failed when Smith was nearly intercepted on a short throw over the middle to Tyler Lockett on third-and-3. Seattle fumbled on its next three possessions, then reached the Chicago 32-yard line before a Smith pass was batted at the line on third-and-10, leading to a 50-yard field goal at the break .

Seattle only threatened to score once in the second half. Smith converted on third-and-7 with a 19-yard pass to Smith-Njigba in Chicago territory. Brown caught a screen pass a few plays later and fumbled while being tackled at the 38. Bears defensive back Kyler Gordon forced and recovered the fumble, then ran 62 yards for what was initially ruled a touchdown. However, the decision was overturned after replay revealed that Brown’s leg made contact with Gordon, who was lying on the ground.

“I thought I was down, but when you’re in that pile, it’s hard to see what’s going on,” Brown said. “I thought I had both hands on the ball, but sometimes things like that happen.”

This led to another moment where the Seattle defense reveled in the opportunity to get it right.

“We were so excited because we knew they wouldn’t get anything after that,” said Security Councilor Julian Love. “That was the attitude today. We just had fun. I don’t know if it was the rain, the temperature or all that stuff. We just played backyard football. Everyone connected, we communicated well and we just ran and hit. When we’re in that mood, we’re at our best.”

Chicago gained one yard in six plays before punching back to Seattle. The key to the defensive stand was a simulated pressure sack by Uchenna Nwosu that gave the outside linebacker a clear path to the quarterback. It was the first sack of the year for Nwosu, who was one of six players sacked by Chicago’s rookie signal-caller. The other five were defensive tackle Leonard Williams (twice), outside linebacker Derick Hall, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, defensive back Devon Witherspoon and defensive tackle Jarran Reed.

Chen 🔟 takes him to the ground. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SAqksefcbb

– Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 27, 2024

“They’re elite,” Oluwatimi said of Seattle’s defense. “We have the deepest and best D-line in the league. It’s difficult for teams to move the ball against our D-line.”

Seattle’s offense could only reach its 46-yard line before punting after Charbonnet failed to reach the line for a third-down swing pass. The punt set up Chicago’s final drive, which began at the 11 with 5:12 left. After a false start by former Seattle lineman Jake Curhan, the Bears initially lined up for a punt on fourth-and-5. When they changed their minds, Williams fought through and hit a 14-yard pass to receiver DJ Moore. Three plays later, Williams bought time and fired the ball to receiver Rome Odunze, sending it 15 yards into Seattle territory.

After three straight incompletions, Macdonald did what he is known for when the defense is on the field in crucial situations: apply pressure. He called cover-0 blitzes on several snaps that series, including the final snap, believing that the cornerbacks could survive on an island if the rush didn’t come home. The same approach led to Aaron Rodgers throwing an incompletion on fourth-and-15 in Week 13, securing the win over the New York Jets. Macdonald made the same decision when it came time to send the Bears away.

“I like it because we’re great players and we know how great we are,” said Woolen, who broke away from his man to intercept the jump ball Williams threw toward Keenan Allen while under pressure from Bryant and Witherspoon was set. “This is nothing new for us. It increases our confidence because He trusts us. That’s great when you’re talking about a head coach.”

Although Seattle’s defense nationally enjoyed ending its two-game losing streak, the offense was dissatisfied because it felt like it wasn’t performing up to its standard. Six points are very rarely enough to win a game, and the players on that side of the ball were grateful that the defense carried them to victory. However, since the Seahawks don’t control their playoff fate, they’ll take every win they can.

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“It’s not always going to be sunshine and rainbows,” said Smith, who went 17 of 23 for 160 yards and two scrambles for 20 yards. “Erasing a 6-3 win feels just as good as winning the game 44-41. It’s all good to get wins.”

The entire Seattle team will be watching the Cardinals on Saturday night and hoping Arizona can win too.

“I’m excited to see what’s going to happen,” Woolen said with a smile. “And go to the Cardinals.”

(Photo of Riq Woolen, 27, and teammates: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)