Matt Hasselbeck scrambled for 19 yards in what was already looking like a desperation drive late in the 2nd quarter of the November 1st blowout at Soldier Field. It was one of four successful rushes the Hawks ran all game. For my purposes I'm defining "successful" as any rush that contributed to a first down or score. It's a simplified version of the Football Outsiders stat of the same name.

Four times in 19 attempts the Hawks ran the ball with even the slightest degree of success. The most common distance for a Seahawks' rush was 2 yards, a feat (and I say that with all due irony) they accomplished five times. For those of you new to this game of passing and bashing that we so love, that's what is called complete and utter domination by the Bears' run defense.

Maurice Morris looked hesitant in his first career start, but it was poor run blocking and not the absence of Shaun Alexander that sealed our fate. A two yard rush usually means that the defense has penetrated into the backfield before the play has developed. At that point anyone short of Barry Sanders is likely to be caught for a minimal gain or for a loss.

The Hawks have changed since that debacle. Alexander is healthy and our left side has been strengthened by Rob Sims taking over after an overly long and unsuccessful experiment with center Chris Spencer at LG. The Bears have changed also, losing excellent all-around tackle Tommie Harris and showing more than 16 games of ware on a demoralized and faltering D.

But, as is the cliché this year, the playoffs represent a second season and the Bears have had more than enough time to rest, recuperate and regroup for another punishing series of playoff brawls in Soldier Field. Those expecting a rushing renaissance by the Seattle O better read up about these players.

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Terry "Tank" Johnson: Johnson is not the 350 pound big ugly you might expect of a NT with the name Tank. No, this would-be militia leader is actually a noted athlete who was originally drafted as a TE by UW and even received college consideration for his volleyball play. While Johnson did not record a single tackle in the Hawks' last game against Chicago, his ability to blow up Robbie Tobeck and especially Spencer with his lightning fast first step and excellent hand punching did much to collapse the pocket and suffocate rush lanes.

Sims has shown in his brief career a good ability to straight ahead block. His inability to pull or block downfield means he is likely destined to be a RG by next season, but on Sunday blocking straight ahead is all we'll ask of him. If Johnson can be staggered, Alexander will be able to be productive if not spectacular off the left side. That is, if Jones does a better job at neutralizing Alex Brown than he did in Week 4.

	Bill Smith

Alex Brown: Brown is one of the only complete DE's in football. He doesn't get caught selling out against the pass on run plays like Dwight Freeney, plus he's agile enough to move into zone coverage as his two interceptions attest. His sack numbers are never gaudy--partly because playing RE he is usually matched against the teams best pass blocker at LT--but his versatility makes him a game-planning headache for opposing offensive coordinators.

His match-up against Walter Jones is critical for the Hawks, regarding both the run and pass. Jones must be able to drive Brown completely out of the play, isolating Lance Briggs against Alexander. If Brown is able to disrupt or fill run lanes Alexander will, dangerously, attempt to cut-back or bounce the ball outside. This brief hesitation will send the Bears swarming and you can expect to see gang tackling by Brian Urlacher, Briggs and quiet force Hunter Hillenmeyer.

Lance Briggs: Lance Briggs is so good it's astounding how little attention he receives. Fast, strong, heady and equally adept defending the pass as stuffing the run, Briggs is often ignored thanks to Urlacher's high profile. This year, perhaps in preparation for free agency, he further developed the ferocity to force fumbles (4) he first showed last season.

When I say Jones must neutralize Brown so as to isolate Alexander against Briggs it's not that I think that Briggs will miss the tackle, but rather, unless Jones consistently keeps Brown from clogging the lane you can expect Briggs to sail in with the ol' grip and rip. If Alexander can build a head of steam through the hole and engage Briggs head on, it wouldn't be impossible for him to bowl over the 240 pound Briggs one-on-one. You can expect to find out, because I'm sure the Hawks will be running left on third and short.

. . .

I have to admit, this has been the hardest article to write thus far in the YIKE series. Looking over at the Football Outsiders site, the only two weaknesses the rush defense seemingly has is off LE and behind RT, but the players that fact would seemingly indict (Briggs and Adawale Ogunleye respectively) both have excellent reputations stopping the run. Overall, I couldn't find any real gap in talent the Hawks could exploit, but it seems rather pointless (especially on a Seahawks site) to simply say the Bears are awesome at run D and here's why.

After hours of pouring over play-by-play, scouting reports and stats the best I could figure is the Hawks must run the ball successfully left: Meeting or exceeding four yards on first and ten and converting short yardage for first downs. It sounds simple, but the Hawks have struggled running from their once mighty left side all season, while the Bears run-stopping right side has done anything but.