SEATTLE (AP) — It wasn’t pretty, but the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a 6-3 slog of a victory Thursday over the Chicago Bears. The win featured an outstanding effort from Seattle's defense, a near disappearance from the offense and a game-sealing pick that ended Caleb Williams' rookie record for the most pass attempts without an interception at 353. The Seahawks sacked Williams seven times to tie the team’s season high as the Bears lost their 10th consecutive game in the lowest scoring contest of the season. The Bears had a chance to pull off an upset when they had the ball at Seattle's 40-yard line late in the fourth quarter, but Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen picked off Williams with 20 seconds left. It was a nice bounce-back win for Seattle, but had little impact on their postseason outlook. The more important game will come Saturday, when the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals face off with Seattle’s postseason fortunes on the line. A win by Arizona keeps the Seahawks in the hunt — but still needing a win over the Rams next weekend to clinch the NFC West. A Rams win this weekend would dash Seattle’s hopes as Los Angeles would win the tiebreaker over Seattle even if the Seahawks win the regular-season finale. “We’re in the mode of controlling what we can control,” coach Mike Macdonald said. “We know what’s coming next week. We’re going to spend this weekend getting our minds and bodies and spirits right to go play a game. "Yeah, we’re praying that it’s for the division championship.” What’s working Leonard Williams continues to be a force for the Seahawks. The defensive tackle dominated the Bears' offensive line with two of Seattle’s seven sacks, four quarterback hits and three tackles for loss. Williams been the key to Seattle’s defensive resurgence. A unit that was among the worst in the league earlier in the season has become one of the NFL's most productive in the second half with Williams' big-time impact up front being a major reason Seattle is still in the playoff hunt. “He should be up for all the accolades,” Macdonald said. “I don’t know what the awards are out there, but I would give it to him,” Macdonald said. “He’s just a phenomenal player, phenomenal human being. I’m glad he’s a Seahawk. Glad he’s with us.” What needs help Seattle’s offense was full of stops and starts, but two field goals proved to be enough. Geno Smith managed just 160 passing yards and nearly threw yet another interception in the red zone on Seattle’s first drive of the game. Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh combined for 103 yards on 22 carries, with McIntosh’s 25-yard first-quarter run marking Seattle’s longest offensive play of the day. Charbonnet, starting in place of the injured Kenneth Walker III, was held to just 3.8 yards per carry. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has spent the season trying to figure out how to get the running game going, with little success. Stock up The Seahawks' defense put up a lockdown performance after struggling in losses against Green Bay and Minnesota, holding the Bears to just 179 yards of total offense and finishing with 10 quarterback hits. Along with Leonard Williams big day, Devon Witherspoon had six tackles with a sack and three tackles for loss as the Seahawks recaptured some of the momentum it had lost the past two weeks. Under constant pressure from Seattle’s pass rush, Caleb Williams threw for 122 yards, while completing 16 of 28 pass attempts. Stock down WR DK Metcalf. He had a tough day, with just three receptions for 43 yards. He also drew a pair of personal fouls on a single play, one coming after he head-butted Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in the second quarter. Metcalf hasn’t had more than 70 yards receiving in a game since Seattle’s win over Atlanta on Oct. 20. He has only had more than four receptions in three games this year, and has just four touchdown catches in what has been a bit of a disappointing season for the sixth-year receiver. Injuries The Seahawks put Walker (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday, marking the end of his regular season. Walker has to miss at least the next four games, but could return if Seattle makes it deep into the playoffs. Key number 7 — Seattle’s seven sacks made it 67 on the year for Caleb Williams, 15 more than any other quarterback in the league and fourth-most in league history. Up next The Seahawks finish the regular season at the Los Angeles Rams on either Jan. 4 or 5. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Shane Lantz, The Associated Press
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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott reacts with his players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) AP Ryan Talbot | rtalbot@nyup.com The Buffalo Bills were not in action in Week 12. Buffalo (9-2) will return to action on Sunday night when they host the San Francisco 49ers (5-6). The Bills are perfect coming off of their bye week under Sean McDermott, but the team will be tested on Sunday Night Football against a 49ers team that is better than their record. Before looking ahead to their Week 13 matchup, here’s a look at where the Bills currently sit in various national power rankings as well as analysis from the sites. Offense ranking: 3 Defense ranking: 10 Special teams ranking: 18 Currently riding a six-game winning streak, the Bills’ FPI rankings reflect just how well this team is performing despite dealing with injuries and changes on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Josh Allen and the offense are second in points margin per game (9.6), and the team leads the league in turnover margin (14). There are still some areas to monitor, as reflected in Tyler Bass being 25th in field goal percentage (86.4%) and missing four extra point attempts so far. My friend and fellow Power Ranking enthusiast Dan Hanzus over at Heed the Call is very much against the bye week drop for teams. I’m for it within reason. I would say if this iteration of the Power Rankings had a final poll of the season I probably would have left Buffalo at No. 2. But we’re talking about a living, breathing entity and right at this very second I think the Eagles could beat almost any team in the NFL. Will I feel differently next week? Almost certainly. Their next three games are against NFC opponents, so losing one – at Detroit on Dec. 15? – won’t hurt the Bills too badly in the tiebreaker department, especially as they try to get better in the team health department. It’s the annual Chris Berman Super Bowl prediction from pretty much every year of the 1990s, when the 49ers come to town. The Bills could be getting them at the perfect time. The Bills had to be rooting hard for the Panthers on Sunday. They’re going to need a Chiefs loss at some point to get the No. 1 seed, and Kansas City flirted with it on Sunday. All Buffalo can do is keep winning and hope some close game doesn’t go the Chiefs’ way. They went into their bye having scored 30 points or more in five straight games. This is one team that has to hope the bye didn’t slow them down. Buffalo got to sit back on its Week 12 bye with a 9-2 record, having won six straight, culminating with a big win over Kansas City. Part of the Bills’ bye-week viewing likely included the Chiefs’ struggles to put the Panthers away, which had to make the week of rest even better. Buffalo all but has the AFC East wrapped up, and it still has a puncher’s chance to wrestle away the AFC’s top seed from Kansas City, thanks to the head-to-head win and a stretch run that is far easier than the Chiefs’. Buffalo will come out of the bye with a home game against the suddenly sinking 5-6 49ers. There also are games left against the Rams, Jets and Patriots (twice), as well as a showdown against the Lions in Detroit that could serve as a Super Bowl sneak peek. All told, the Bills are in great shape, and they appear to be getting a little healthier, too. There’s nothing better than hitting the bye week after a huge win. That’s how things worked out for the Buffalo Bills, who knocked the Kansas City Chiefs from the ranks of the unbeaten. Quarterback Josh Allen is a legitimate MVP candidate at this point in the season. But Bills legend Buce Smith told TMZ Sports that individual accolades aren’t as important as the ultimate goal—a trip to New Orleans in February for Super Bowl XLIX. “Josh has my [MVP] vote thus far,” Smith said. “He needs to finish strong, but keep in mind, winning the MVP but not having an opportunity to play and win in a Super Bowl, I just look at that as, obviously a personal statistic is always great to have, but you want to have that opportunity to go to the Super Bowl and become the MVP in the Super Bowl, win the Super Bowl. All of those things that make history, and I think this gives us a great shot. What took place [against the Chiefs] showed a lot of character about this team.” Analyst’s Take Perhaps the most impressive part about Allen’s play this year is that he hasn’t really had a true go-to receiver—yes, Buffalo traded for Amari Cooper, but he’s still acclimating to his new home. Allen has spread the ball around, running back James Cook is playing well and Buffalo’s defense is steadily improving. The Bills haven’t lost since all the way back in Week 5, but the team faces a challenging three-game stretch post-bye—home against San Francisco, at the Rams and then a trip to Ford Field for a potential Super Bowl preview. More buffalo bills Buffalo Bills vs. SF 49ers first-look betting preview: NFL Week 13 on Thanksgiving Weekend NFL superstar fined $14K for ‘violent gesture’ at Buffalo Bills game Watch: Southwest employee delivers hilarious welcome to Buffalo for Chiefs fans Brock Purdy injury: Could 49ers QB miss Buffalo Bills matchup in Week 13? Steelers defender takes shot at Josh Allen, says Buffalo Bills QB is not MVP candidateASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST ANNOUNCES CONVERSION OF LE PAVILLON NEW ORLEANS TO MARRIOTT'S TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO
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