The Seattle Seahawks were unable to keep their underdog hopes of advancing to the Super Bowl alive following Sunday's 35-24 NFC divisional loss to the Chicago Bears. The Seahawks won the NFC West with a 7-9 record and defeated the New Orleans Saints, the 2009 NFL champions, in the first round of the playoffs. However, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler proved to be too much today.
Cutler, formerly of the Denver Broncos, threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more (Chester Taylor ran one yard into the end zone for the other score). Tight ends Greg Olsen (113 receiving yards) and Kellen Davis each caught a Jay Cutler touchdown pass.
Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was 26-of-46 for 258 yards and three touchdowns. He threw all three touchdowns in the team's 21-point fourth quarter. Running back Marshawn Lynch, who had an amazing run the previous week, was held to two yards on four carries. Brandon Stokley, also a former Bronco, had eight receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.
The Bears will host the Green Bay Packers next Sunday at Soldier Field for the NFC Championship game. The teams split their season series, with Green Bay winning their Jan. 2 contest, 10-3. Kickoff is 3:00 p.m. ET.