Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw 68 percent of his passes this season out of three- and four-wide receiver sets. That means the key for the Bears’ defense could be the nickel defense, when cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. replaces linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer in the secondary and pass-rushers line up across the front four.
The five keys to containing that spread attack:
1. Keep linebacker Lance Briggs on the field even with four WRs.
Most teams add a sixth defensive back and use dime coverage. But coach Lovie Smith said in October that no defense is better with Briggs on the sideline and nothing has changed. Briggs had a team-high 10 tackles Oct. 1 and played well in space. With tight end Jerramy Stevens playing this time, Briggs could be challenged more, which makes it more important for him to stay in the game.
2. Don’t ignore the run.
The Seahawks still run effectively out of the spread sets and Shaun Alexander (3.6 yards per carry) had a higher average in those formations than any other. Alexander averaged 4.2 yards on 105 carries out of three-WR sets during the regular season and 4.0 on 21 carries in four-WR formations. Often, spreading out a quick gap-shooting defense like the Bears’ can make the gaps harder to close.
3. Blitz in four-wide receiver sets to help contain Hasselbeck.
The Bears aren’t really built to be a great blitzing team. But taking the tight end out of the game weakens pass protection, especially if Manning is doing the blitzing from the nickel spot. Hasselbeck poses problems with good mobility but also was sacked 11 times in 91 pass attempts out of the four-WR set, which could be an invitation for the Bears to blitz Sunday.
4. Demand the first guy makes the tackle.
Seahawks receivers average around 4 yards after the catch, a respectable number for a team that lives off the short passing game. But if the first guy misses, big plays occur. Nobody knows what to expect out of a resodded Soldier Field, so fundamental tackling is a must.
5. Mix up third-down looks.
As dangerous as Hasselbeck is because of playoff experience, he completed only 51 percent of his passes on third downs, when the Seahawks typically bring in an extra receiver or two. Eleven of the Bears’ 24 interceptions came on third downs. That spells opportunity.
