Seattle @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2015 ) Chicago 0, Seattle 26

The Chicago Bears were shaping up to become the toast of the town halfway through their season opener - until Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers crashed their party. Khalil Mack will make his Soldier Field debut as the Bears look to rebound from a crushing defeat in Week 1 when they face the Seattle Seahawks in their home opener on Monday night.

Chicago built a 20-point lead and Mack was looking every bit like the dominant force for which the team had hoped before Rodgers returned from injury and threw three fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 24-23 victory. “Things happen for a reason - I’m a firm believer in that,” Chicago's Matt Nagy told reporters regarding his head-coaching debut. “And when things happen for a reason and you stay positive, then in the end, we’re going to use this thing." The Seahawks also absorbed a narrow loss in their opener, taking the lead early in the fourth quarter before dropping a 27-24 decision to Denver. "It's a big matchup (between) two hungry teams getting ready to go on Monday night," Seattle coach Pete Carroll told reporters. "The Bears had a terrific game going and then, as we all know, Aaron Rodgers kind of stole the show."

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Bears -3.5. O/U: 43

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (0-1): Russell Wilson was under relentless pressure against Denver's defense and finished 19-of-33 for 298 yards with three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Seattle's passing game received a jolt, however, when No. 1 wideout Doug Baldwin suffered a sprained MCL in the contest - leaving them to go forward with veteran Brandon Marshall and speedster Tyler Lockett, who each had a touchdown reception. The Seahawks raised some eyebrows around the league by signing linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who pleaded guilty last week to charges of inside trading. Seattle is thin at linebacker, with K.J. Wright (knee) and Bobby Wagner (groin) both sitting out practice on Friday.

ABOUT THE BEARS (0-1): Mack, who was acquired from Oakland and signed to a record six-year, $141 million contract prior to the season opener, was a wrecking ball against Green Bay in the first half with a sack, forced fumble and interception return for a touchdown. Mack and the defense recorded four sacks and will set their sights on a Seattle offensive line that surrendered six sacks versus Denver - three by linebacker Von Miller. Running back Jordan Howard looked comfortable in Nagy's new-look offense, rushing for 82 yards on 15 carries and adding five receptions for 25 yards. Second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (22-of-35) threw for only 171 yards, hooking up with wide receiver Allen Robinson four times for 61 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mack has registered eight sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions in his last seven games versus NFC opponents.

2. Wilson has thrown at least two touchdown passes in each of his last six road contests.

3. Trubisky has recorded three TD passes, zero interceptions and a 95.6 passer rating in his last four home games.

PREDICTION: Bears 23, Seahawks 22