Unlike some other recent primetime games, this version of Monday Night Football presents one of the most exciting matchups of the season. The reigning Super Bowl champions will host a franchise clearly on the rise, led by an ice-cold coach and perhaps the most talented quarterback in the league.
When Caleb Williams has been healthy, the Bears’ offense has been sensational in three out of four of his starts. Week 7 was no different. Hosting last year's AFC representative in the title game, Ben Johnson outsmarted Mike Vrabel and his esteemed defense for the majority of the contest. Chicago's offense was so effective that they only punted twice, gaining 21 first downs and 405 total yards along the way. The Bears’ defense, a growing but still flawed unit, allowed the Patriots to hang around. But every time the visitors got within a touchdown, Chicago responded. Drake Maye's early interception just 15 yards away from the end zone only aided the home team’s crusade.
There is something innately very exciting about the 2026 Chicago Bears. The duo of Ben Johnson, who many analysts endearingly refer to as a madman, feels like the perfect leader for a player as talented as Caleb Williams. In just his third year, it's clear that Williams has as much natural talent as any quarterback we've ever seen. Without getting too hyperbolic, in every matchup it feels like Chicago always has a chance as long as their defense can at least make a few stops. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t, which continues to be the Bears’ Achilles’ heel. Both sides of their roster will need to be at their best on Monday night.
The Seattle Seahawks reminded all of us that they are still capable of a repeat title run this season. In Week 7, the Chiefs marched to Seattle full of undefeated confidence, but instead they ran into a buzzsaw. In easily their worst showing of the season, Kansas City showed remnants of its 2025 version, clumsy and disorganized offensively. We give Seattle credit for much of that. Their front-seven harassed Patrick Mahomes all game, forcing him into an early interception and knocking him down eight times (although just one sack). Mahomes earned just 5.0 yards per pass. Perhaps most impressively, Kenneth Walker III,, who was unstoppable prior to last week, gained just 36 yards and 14 carries in his return back to Seattle.
Seattle’s offense looked very healthy and will only get better after landing all-pro guard Quenton Nelson in a trade. Last week, Sam Darnold was very efficient (9.2 yards per pass) and Jaxson Smith-Njigba was absolutely dominant once again (9 catches, 150 yards, 1 touchdown).
Week 8 marks another premiere spot for the Seahawks, who will remain in Washington until Week 10. The Bears are beyond intriguing, but their defense just isn’t good enough yet. Add a young coach and quarterback, as talented as they may be, in a raucous environment at Lumen Field and frankly, this spread feels like a discount.
Bears vs Seahawks prediction: Seahawks -3 (-112) available at time of publishing. Playable to 4.5 (-110).
