Seahawks Bear Down for Holmgren

With comebacks or blowouts, the Green Bay Packers or Seattle Seahawks, Mike Holmgren knows how to beat the Chicago Bears.

Holmgren’s domination of the Bears continued Sunday as the Seahawks rallied for a 14-13 victory on two fourth-quarter touchdowns. It was the 11th consecutive victory over the Bears for Holmgren, the first-year Seahawk coach who was 12-2 against Chicago with Green Bay.

“Stick to the plan Mike implements, because it’s going to be flawless,” said former Packer Derrick Mayes, who had seven receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown.

The Seahawks (1-1) were far from flawless in a first half in which they were shut out and had 27 total yards, but they outgained the Bears, 316-160, in the second half.

Glenn Foley, taking over at quarterback for Seattle because starter Jon Kitna’s toe injury was still bothering him, completed 18 of 30 passes for 283 yards. Foley connected with Mayes for a 34-yard touchdown with 13:04 left in the game that cut Seattle’s deficit to 13-7. Then, five plays after Chicago (1-1) was forced to punt, Fabien Bownes--released by the Bears in the final preseason cut--burned his old team with a 49-yard touchdown reception with 7:51 left.

Chicago managed to reach the Seattle 29 with 26 seconds left. But after Ryan Wetnight was tackled for a one-yard loss, and the Bears were forced to try a 48-yard field goal.

Rookie Brian Gowins, kicking because Jeff Jaeger has a nagging hip injury, had the distance, but the kick sailed wide right.

“This reminds me of the first time I was able to sit in this locker room and say I beat the Bears,” a contented-looking Holmgren said.