They're the Monsters...of the Midwaaaay

From THE VOICE OF (T)REASON, making his mainpage debut next Saturday.
Everyone who isn't a 'Hawks fan--and even half of 'Hawks fans (the self-aware ones)--is talking about Sunday's game against the Bears being a 100% guaranteed, no butts about it, "gimme" win for Lovie Smith’s boys. Well, The Voice of Treason (T-Vot 1000) is here to remind these people of the greatest phrase of all-time: "Shit Happens." Once you first accept there are no guarantees in life--everything and anything is possible--then you can move on to exercising logic. You still with me? Good. Let's look at some "real" reasons why the 'Hawks can and will beat the Bears tomorrow.

1. The 'Hawks are a different animal playing at home, where they've gone 36-13 since 2003. During that time, the Bears have gone 21-28 on the road. Head-to-head, Seattle is 7-3 against Chicago. There's a reason why the Bears are only favored by 2.5. To say Quest Field will be loud and raucous is an understatement.

2. Seneca Wallace. Yes, he's not Matt Hasselbeck, but to completely dismiss him would be foolish. He is a great athlete who is capable of making plays. He can throw the deep ball. He can run and make people miss. He plays with his head and rarely turns the ball over. He has a career QB rating of 83.0, which is better than Kerry Collins (Super Bowl), Eli Manning (Super Bowl), Steve McNair (Super Bowl), Trent Dilfer (Super Bowl) and so on (even Troy Aikman). Yes, he has only attempted 459 passes in his career, but he has been efficient. Furthermore, at home, he has a career rating of 91.5, and only two interceptions to eight touchdown passes. In games decided by seven points or fewer, he has a won-loss record of 5-7. My point is, while he's no stand-out, Wallace is good enough to win football games.

2. The Bears defense is banged up. Tommie Harris and Israel Idonije have knee problems. Alex Brown is questionable with an ankle sprain. Pisa Tinoisamoa is out. Step-ins Nick Roach and Hunter Hillenmeyer are unproven.

3. Seattle’s receivers are dangerous, and the Bears secondary is sketchy. TJ Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch and John Carlson will spread the field and look to create mismatches. With the O-line hurting (Walter Jones), Wallace won’t have forever to get rid of the ball, but that problem is alleviated when you have both a tight end and running back who can catch and run. Each and every time the Bears stack the box or blitz, they’re opening themselves up to allowing a big play.

Prediction: The Bears aren’t much offensively, but I can’t see them scoring fewer than three touchdowns. With that said, I’m expecting a lot out of the Seattle offense. This could turn into a shoot-out, and if it does, I’m going with the ‘Hawks and their better big play ability.

Seahawks 27, Bears 24.

i thought he'd have a harder time this week.