The Seattle Seahawks host the Chicago Bears on Monday night in a Week 8 Monday Night Football matchup at Lumen Field. Seattle enters on a high after upsetting the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, while Chicago has won both games since quarterback Caleb Williams returned from injury, improving to 5-2.
Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on Monday, November 2, with broadcast on ESPN/ABC and streaming via Fubo. The Seahawks are favored by 3 points with an over/under of 46.5, per DraftKings Sportsbook.
When the Bears Have the Ball
Chicago has scored 59, 31 and 30 points in the three Caleb Williams starts not played against the Minnesota Vikings in a driving rainstorm, piling up 552, 368 and 405 yards in those games with only two turnovers. For the season, Williams has completed 71% of his passes at 8.2 yards per attempt, with five touchdowns against one interception and 24 rushes for 128 yards and two scores. His average depth of throw is 7.0 yards, yet he creates explosive passing plays at the third-highest rate in the league (10.7% of dropbacks), aided by 6.4 yards after catch per completion (fourth-best). The Seahawks defense allows only 4.5 yards after catch per completion (third-best) and excels at rallying and tackling in the secondary. Chicago runs the ball at a 48.7% rate, but Seattle is elite at stopping the run, as shown last week against Kenneth Walker III. D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson face a tough task against a defensive front that has proven difficult to move.
When the Seahawks Have the Ball
Seattle's offense revolves around wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL with 867 receiving yards, 43 receiving first downs and eight receiving touchdowns. He commands a 36.3% target share and a 33.9% targets-per-route-run rate, both league highs. His 867 yards far exceed the combined 562 of the next three Seahawks receivers (AJ Barner, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed), and Shaheed is out Monday. The Bears lack a defender who can cover Smith-Njigba; their best chance is pressuring quarterback Sam Darnold, who leads the NFL with eight interceptions and struggles under pressure (26 of 66 for 331 yards, two touchdowns, four interceptions). New defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, a game-wrecker inside, could help, though he may see limited snaps in his debut against a strong guard duo in Quenton Nelson and Grey Zabel. Seattle's running game should improve with the expected returns of Zach Charbonnet (ACL tear) and Jadarian Price (chest injury), replacing an ineffective Emanuel Wilson-George Holani duo. Chicago allows 4.4 yards per carry (23rd in the league).
Prediction
Seattle's defense looks like the unit expected before the season, having shut down Kenneth Walker last week and likely containing D'Andre Swift. That puts the game on Williams' shoulders against Mike Macdonald's scheme. If the Seahawks get Charbonnet and Price back and establish a run game, they should control the contest. Prediction: Seahawks 24, Bears 20.
