Bears Chase Rare Six Win Start

The Chicago Bears are currently 5-2. They will take that record to Seattle on Monday night to face the reigning Super Bowl champions. The stakes are high because the season is still short, but the math is already working against Chicago in the race for playoff positioning.

If the Bears win, they reach a 6-2 start. That would be the first time they have begun a season with that record since 2012. More importantly, a victory would improve specific tiebreakers that currently put them at a disadvantage. Chicago is currently behind the Minnesota Vikings in head-to-head play because they lost in Week 2. They also trail the Detroit Lions because the Lions hold a better divisional record.

A win over Seattle would give the Bears a head-to-head edge. It would also boost their conference record and their strength-of-victory metric. That last number is often overlooked, but it is currently one of the worst among NFC playoff contenders. Securing these advantages now provides a buffer before the schedule turns brutal.

The Bears face a gauntlet of difficult opponents at the end of the year. They will play the AFC-leading Buffalo Bills on the road. They will then host the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. Finally, they must travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings. Winning in Seattle now helps them bank a necessary victory before that stretch.

The environment in Seattle is a known challenge. The Seahawks have gone 3-1 at home this season. Last year, they were 8-2 on their home turf. The crowd known as The 12s creates one of the league's best home-field advantages. The Bears are looking for a signature win in a difficult setting.

Seattle has a 4-3 record, which is worse than Chicago's. However, their defense is the best in the NFL in several categories. They allow the fewest yards per game and hold opponents to 17.9 points per game, which ranks third in the league. On the other side of the ball, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is considered the most explosive playmaker in the NFL. The Bears' secondary has struggled recently, making that matchup a potential problem.

The Bears' offense averages nearly 400 yards per game, ranking third in the league. They have done this by mixing a running game with passing. Establishing the run against Seattle is key. It opens lanes for quarterback Caleb Williams and controls the clock. Chicago used this strategy successfully against the Eagles last season.

Both teams will debut new key players. Seattle brings in Quenton Nelson to strengthen the offensive line. The Bears counter with defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons. These additions could shift the balance in the trenches. If Chicago wins, they will have beaten both of last season's Super Bowl teams in prime time. They will then enter their final game before the bye week in strong standing.