Bears and Seahawks meet in Week 6

The Chicago Bears will look to start another winning streak when they host the 2-2 Seattle Seahawks this week at Soldier Field. This game will be coming off the heels of Chicago’s (4-1) best rushing performance of the year. Matt Forte had a career day in Week 5 versus the Carolina Panthers with 166 yards and two touchdowns. The Bears are hoping for the same production from the running game in addition to the return of quarterback Jay Cutler.

Cutler suffered a concussion in Week 4 against the New York Giants, which prevented him from playing last week. The fifth-year quarterback was cleared by doctors to play in this week’s game. The only question surrounding the quarterback position isn’t about Cutler, but about who will be the second-string QB. Todd Collins’ four-interception performance in the victory over the Panthers has many people speculating the Caleb Hanie will be promoted to the number two quarterback. That decision hasn’t been made by head coach Lovie Smith, and probably won’t be revealed until game day.

For the fourth time in the last five weeks, the Bears will have another combination of starting offensive linemen. Right guard Roberto Garza won’t play due to arthroscopic surgery on his knee. We already know that Olin Kreutz will start at center. The major change this time will be at left guard, which will be filled by Chris Williams—who the Bears drafted 14th overall in 2008 as an offensive tackle. Williams is returning from a hamstring injury that was sustained in the Week 2 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Frank Omiyale will cover the left tackle duties, while Edwin Williams and J’Marcus Webb will be placed at right guard and right tackle respectively.

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The defense could possibly be looking at their first major dilemma of the season. Linebacker Lance Briggs hasn’t practiced much this week due to an ankle injury from last week’s game versus Carolina. If unable to play, Briggs will be replaced by Brian Iwuh. The Seahawks are currently ranked 29th in the league in rushing, but the acquisition of former Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch might give the Bears’ fourth ranked run defense a challenge.

Considering the fact that both the Seahawks and Bears are ranked third and fourth in the NFL in run defense respectively, the outcome of this game just might come down to which team has the better passing game. In addition to trying to have a running game to complement Cutler’s passing, Chicago will also be trying to remain undefeated at home this year and widen the gap between themselves and the rest of the NFC North.

By Clyde Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent