In a Thursday night showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears, fans witnessed a rare and frustrating spectacle where the defensive lines dominated the game, leaving the offenses to struggle under relentless pressure. The final score, a meager 17-13 in favor of the Seahawks, reflected a matchup that saw more sacks than points—a rarity in today’s NFL where high-flying offenses are typically the main attraction.
With both teams desperately looking to rebound from earlier losses in the season, this game was expected to provide at least some offensive fireworks. However, what transpired instead was a defensive slugfest, with the quarterbacks of both teams constantly under siege. The combination of strong defensive line play, poor offensive protection, and missed opportunities on both sides created a night that will be remembered for its lack of offensive rhythm.
A Defensive Masterclass or Offensive Failures?
While it’s often said that a dominant defense can win games, Thursday night’s performance by the defensive lines of both the Seahawks and Bears took this concept to an extreme. By the end of the game, Seattle and Chicago combined for 11 sacks more than the total number of points scored by either team. The Bears, in particular, made their mark, racking up 5 sacks on Seattle quarterback Geno Smith, while the Seahawks countered with **6 sacks of their own, including 2 from star linebacker Bobby Wagner.
The impact of these sacks was clear from the start. Both quarterbacks were under constant pressure, and their offensive lines struggled to contain the defensive rush. Seattle’s Smith, usually known for his ability to extend plays, was unable to escape the relentless Bears defense, which kept him off-balance throughout the game. Meanwhile, Chicago’s Justin Fields was pressured into several errant throws and even took a couple of brutal hits that left him wincing.
For the Bears, Fields has often been praised for his ability to make plays with his legs, but in this matchup, he found himself running for his life far too often. Despite his mobility, Fields was sacked 6 times, which disrupted any offensive rhythm Chicago hoped to establish. His passing accuracy suffered as well, with Fields completing only 18 of 29 attempts for 172 yards and a touchdown. Worse yet, he seemed rattled by the constant pressure, which led to mistakes in critical situations.
For Seattle, Smith was not immune to the Bears’ pass rush, and while he did finish the game with a relatively solid stat line—completing 19 of 29 passes for 217 yards and one touchdown—he too was forced to make quick decisions and often threw off-balance. His composure under pressure helped the Seahawks pull out the win, but the offensive line will certainly have much to discuss in practice this week after allowing so much pressure on their quarterback.
A Battle of Field Goals
With both teams unable to find consistent offensive success, much of the scoring came from the feet of their kickers. Seattle’s Jason Myers converted a 42-yard field goal in the first quarter, giving the Seahawks a lead that they would never relinquish. Myers, who had been perfect on field goals earlier in the season, also nailed a pair of shorter attempts in the second half to extend the Seahawks’ lead.
For Chicago, kicker Cairo Santos was similarly effective, connecting on field goals of 36 and 38 yards, keeping the Bears in striking distance throughout the game. However, neither team was able to capitalize on key drives to score touchdowns, and the lack of explosive plays was a clear indication of how much the defenses controlled the pace of the game.
In fact, the only touchdown of the night came from a defensive mistake. After a botched snap on a punt in the third quarter, Seattle’s defense took advantage of a rare special teams blunder and set up Geno Smith for a short touchdown pass to tight end Noah Fant. That score, which gave the Seahawks a 17-6 lead, ultimately proved to be the difference-maker, as the Bears’ offense was unable to recover in the final minutes.
What This Game Means for Both Teams
For both the Seahawks and Bears, the outcome of this game will likely raise more questions than answers. Seattle, now 4-4 on the season, can take solace in the victory, but the struggles on offense will certainly be a point of concern moving forward. If the Seahawks hope to stay competitive in a tough NFC West, they’ll need to improve their offensive line play and find a more consistent rhythm through the air. Smith has shown flashes of brilliance, but with defensive lines across the league continuing to improve, he’ll need more time to make his reads and deliver the ball accurately.
On the other hand, the Bears—who fall to 2-6 on the season—remain in the midst of their rebuilding phase. While their defense showed promise, their inability to sustain drives and finish in the red zone continues to hinder their efforts. Fields has undeniable talent, but his development will depend on improving his passing mechanics and, perhaps most importantly, getting better protection from his offensive line. The Bears need to find a way to balance their running game with a more effective passing attack, or they risk losing their young quarterback to the same kind of frustration that plagued him during this game.
Looking Ahead
While both teams will likely spend the next few days rewatching film and dissecting what went wrong, the game also served as a reminder of the importance of defensive prowess in the NFL. In a league dominated by high-powered offenses, this Thursday night matchup was a throwback to a time when defensive lines dictated the flow of the game.
As the season continues, both the Seahawks and Bears will have to adjust their strategies to build more consistent offensive outputs. But for one night at least, defense ruled the day. In a game where the number of sacks far outweighed the number of points, Thursday night football fans saw just how valuable—and game-changing—defense can truly be.
