After a Muhsin Muhammad drop led to a Rex Grossman interception inside the ten, Seattle had control of the game for the first time all day.

Matt Hasselbeck gave it right back the next play with a mind-boggling interception that Ricky Manning Jr. picked off. Until that throw, this was Hasselbeck's best effort since his knee surgery. He's been mostly accurate and made good decisions.

This is the type of throw Hasselbeck has made way too often this season. It's what seperates him from the great quarterbacks in the league.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mike Holmgren takes a lot of criticism for dialing up draws, often to fullback Mack Strong, on third-and-long.

He just called one for Shaun Alexander on third-and-ten and it resulted in a 13-yard touchdown score and a 24-21 lead. Brian Urlacher, who was completely taken out of the play, is not having a good day. Seattle's offensive line is pushing Chicago around like they used to last season.

The dominant Bears defense of the first half of this season is becoming a distant memory.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Seahawks finally started picking on Charles Tillman in their first drive of the second half, finding Bobby Engram three times for 32 yards. Lance Briggs made a great stop on third-and-one to force a field goal, but it's amazing how well Seattle is moving the ball. They haven't played a complete offensive game like this since November.

If they start playing better on third downs, they will put up 30 points.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nothing drives me crazier than conservative coaches that don't go for fourth-and-short conversions. There's a reason why Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells, Bill Cowher, and Mike Shanahan go for it more than any coaches. It's the percentage play.

With that in mind, it's only fair to give kudos to Mike Holmgren and Lovie Smith, two coaches hardly known for aggresive play-calling, for going for fourth downs inside the ten-yard line. Both plays resulted in touchdowns. See, one yard isn't so hard.

21-14 Bears at halftime.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I was ready to write a post about how Shaun Alexander looked like he was running underwater. Even Mike Holmgren agreed, using Maurice Morris on early downs a drive ago.

But even if Alexander's burst is lacking, his vision and patience showed up on Seattle's 26-yard scoring drive following Julian Peterson's forced fumble.

What a classic, relaxed veteran play on fourth-and-one from the four-yard line from Alexander. Instead of just jamming it forward, Alexander hesitated behind the line of scrimmage, watched Brian Urlacher commit to the left, and squirted through the middle for the touchdown.

We all talk about Rex Grossman too much, but the Bears defensive struggles down the stretch are just as important. They haven't turned the trend around Sunday.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A couple themes I've watched all year just played themselves out in this playoff game.

While I was busy researching fraternities, both offenses put up touchdowns to make it 14-7 Chicago.

It's early, but a few of my things to watch before the game have been answered.

Matt Hasselbeck is not being pressured, and is finding holes in Chicago's Cover Two. If he can be accurate, it looks like Chicago's safeties can be exploited.

Bears coordinator Ron Turner showed confidence in Rex Grossman by letting him burn Jordan Babineaux and Kelly Jennings deep on a 68-yard scoring strike to Bernard Berrian. If Grossman is hitting passes like that, Chicago is going to be tough to beat.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ever notice a player celebrating a play by lifting their arms up and extending their hands outward like they were making antlers off their head? Steve McNair is the most famous player who always does it. Seahawks S Jordan Babineaux just did it after hammering Rex Grossman.

My knowledgeable producer Harriet told me this week it was in honor of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. So now you know.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yesterday, I wrote that quarterbacks have consistently struggled in the playoffs.

This game has started the same, with both Rex Grossman and Matt Hasselbeck catching breaks early. A near Grossman pick was tipped, then turned into a 37-yard gain. The Bears scored a touchdown easily because of their running game.

Hasselbeck, meanwhile, nearly threw a pick six to Charles Tillman, but it bounced off his chest. Seattle's defense needs a stop to settle this game down before it gets out of control early.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gonna hop back on the blog horse Sunday, at least for the first game.

A few things I'm keeping a close eye on during this one.

1. Chicago's front four - They haven't created much pressure over the latter part of the season. Did they let up with nothing to play for or did Tommie Harris' injury kill this team's mojo?

2. Seattle's run defense - It's a weak spot for the team. At their best, Chicago's offensive line is physical and can wear you down.

3. Julian Peterson - Seattle needs some playmakers on defense to create turnovers. He's their best shot.

4. Lovie Smith's confidence in Rex - Chicago should air it out to test Seattle's secondary. The best way to get Grossman confident again is let him go for big plays instead of coddling him. His deep ball might be his best attribute.

5. Seattle's wideouts - D.J. Hackett is out and Darrell Jackson will try to play through a turf toe injury. Seattle leads the league in drops and can't afford to waste opportunities.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)