1. You da Manning
If you wonder how much the Bears would miss Ricky Manning Jr. if he is suspended as expected, ask Matt Hasselbeck. The Bears nickel back started the week issuing a court plea that labeled him a felon and ended it making two interceptions before a forgiving crowd. The two picks led to 10 points in a decisive first half and came in front of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, in whose hands his fate rests.
2. Who needs four WRs?
Pregame buzz centered around how the Bears would defend Seattle’s four-receiver set. Lost in the analysis was how the Seahawks would cover the Bears’ receiver combination of Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian, two guys who outplayed their counterparts. The evolution of Berrian as a deep threat and the return of Muhammad to Pro Bowl form make the biggest difference in the offense.
3. Interior design
Turned out it didn’t matter much how the Bears chose to defend four-receiver sets, not with Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson breathing down Hasselbeck’s neck from the inside out. Harris had said pressure breaks pipes when discussing plans to defend Seattle. The Seahawks’ passing game burst because the Bears’ defensive tackles didn’t allow Hasselbeck to gauge where his receivers would be.
4. Run with it
Shaun Alexander sat this one out, but Thomas Jones made sure the national TV audience saw an elite performance by a running back. Jones has heard doubts about the running game this season, but they will not be as loud now. Cedric Benson also played and looks like a solid complement, but Jones reminded everyone why he’s the starter with 24 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
