Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears: How low can they go?

Luca Bercelli
01 December 2012

The Seahawks are fancied to win on Sunday

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Expect a low scoring game says Luca Bercelli, but keep an eye on emerging quarterback Russell Wilson...

Recommended Bets

Back Seattle Seahawks on Handicap (+3.5 pts) @ 2.01/1
Lay Total Points (Over 37.5 pts) @ 2.01/1

There are plenty of exciting match-ups this week but unfortunately this isn't one of them. Other than (snore) how few points will be scored by both offences there's a lot less to get your juices flowing here than in five or six other games Sky could have chosen for their early live action.
Still, we have to work with what we've been given so here goes.

Chicago did us a big favour last week by bouncing back from their horrible loss to the 49ers with a fairly comfortable win over the Vikings, but they did so at no inconsiderable cost. Injuries have decimated their starting line-up and although they'll still be strong on defence, offensively they're looking like a bunch of extras in the opening scene of 'Saving Private Ryan'.

Crucial players such as running back Matt Forte and punt return stud Devin Hester are both questionable, but it will be the reappearance through necessity of offensive tackle Gabe Carimi that should have Bears fans trembling the most.

He was so bad against the Niners he might as well have not been there and whoever lines up behind him at quarterback, be it Jay Cutler, Jason Campbell or Usain Bolt - will be polishing up their best impression of Road Runner as the Seattle pass-rush closes in on them.

So, with Chicago virtually guaranteed to find it heavy going on offense, how are the Seahawks going to fare against the Bears' much vaunted defence?

Amid all the hoopla surrounding higher profile rookies RGIII, Andrew luck and to a lesser extent Ryan Tannehill; unheralded rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has been quietly compiling a great season for Seattle. He currently sits in the rankings at 12, in between Drew Brees and Mathew Stafford; not bad company for a rookie.

This match versus the Bears will be a real test for him as he comes up against a well organised and talented defence, but he has been coached to play conservatively in his first year and as a result has only been intercepted eight times. That gameplan and mindset is exactly what is required in what should be a low scoring match, where errors rather than good play will more than likely be the difference.

Two strong defences mean that a lay of the total points (37) is a no-brainer @ 2.01/1, and Chicago's problems on offence give us no option but to back Seattle on the handicap (+ 3.5pts) @ 2.01/1.

Recommended Bets

Back Seattle Seahawks on Handicap (+3.5 pts) @ 2.01/1
Lay Total Points (Over 37.5 pts) @ 2.01/1