SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 18, 2011
Marshawn Lynch ran for a pair of touchdowns and Tarvaris Jackson threw for another as the Seattle Seahawks kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 38-14 victory over the host Chicago Bears.
Brandon Browner returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown and the Seahawks forced a total of five turnovers.
Seattle (7-7) needs to win out and get some help to earn a wild card berth.
The Bears (7-7) were in control of their own destiny until their current four-game losing streak. Quarterback Jay Cutler has missed the last four games with a thumb injury and Caleb Hanie has totaled three touchdowns and nine interceptions in his place.
Running back Matt Forte also missed Sunday's game.
Chicago jumped out to a 14-7 lead at the half, but the Seahawks turned it up defensively after the break.
Lynch capped an 80-yard drive to begin the third quarter with a 3-yard score and Red Bryant gave Seattle the lead 50 seconds later, when he returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown.
Jackson’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Michael Robinson early in the fourth made it 31-14 and Browner sealed it with 5 minutes remaining when he ran Hanie’s pass back 42 yards.
Chicago receiver Johnny Knox was carted off on a stretcher after a vicious hit from Seattle defensive end Anthony Hargrove in the first quarter. Knox fumbled the ball and was hit while on the ground in the shoulder and under the chin by Hargrove, bending his body backward.