Where: Soldier Field, Chicago (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Bears by 3.
Forecast: Morning showers, clearing up around kickoff, 60 degrees.
2012 records: Bears (8-3, 2-1 in NFC North); Seahawks (6-5, 0-3 in NFC West).
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 18, 2011: Seahawks 38, Bears 14; Jan. 16, 2011: Bears 35, Seahawks 24 (NFC Divisional Playoffs). Seahawks have won last 2 regular-season games played in Chicago. Series record: Seahawks lead series 9-6.
What matters: Winning a game outside of Seattle. The secret to beating the Seahawks this season has been simple: get lucky enough not to play them in Seattle. The Seahawks road struggles have been well documented: they're 1-5 this season and 7-23 since 2009. Seattle currently controls its own playoff fate, but that will probably change if they can't knock off the Bears at Soldier Field.
Who matters: RB Marshawn Lynch. Lynch struggled last week against a Dolphin run defense that surrenders less than 100 yards per game (96.7). He'll get more of the same this week against the Bears, who only surrender slightly more rushing yards than the Dolphins at 96.9 yards per game. If the Seahawks can't get their running game going, things won't get any easier in the passing department as the Bears have the sixth best pass defense in the NFL.
Key matchups: QB Russell Wilson vs. the Bears defense. If Wilson had nightmares this week, it was probably from watcing Bears game film. The Chicago defense has recorded 30 sacks this season -- fifth most in the NFL -- and has a league-leading seven interception returns for touchdowns. That second number might give Wilson the most trouble. The rookie quarterback has been sharp lately, but its worth mentioning that all eight picks Wilson has thrown this season have come on the road.
Injuries of note: The Seahawks will be banged up going into Sunday's game with Chicago. CB Marcus Trufant injured his hamstring in practice Thursday and is doubtful for Sunday's game. DE Red Bryant (foot) and LB Leroy Hill (ankle) did not practice this week, both will be game-time decisions. An unexpected injury for the Seahawks is WR Sidney Rice, who felt his calf tighten up in practice on Friday. Rice was limited during Friday's workout and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
Inside stuff: Wilson seems to have a favorite NFC division -- and it's the North. In three games against North teams this season, Wilson has thrown seven touchdowns, only one interception and has an average quarterback rating of 107.2.
Connections: Bears quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates was quarterbacks coach for Seattle in 2010, but Pete Carroll wasn't impressed with the job he did. Carroll fired Bates after one season... Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice spent some time in a Seahawks uniform, he spent 10 of his 14 NFL seasons in Seattle (1981-88, 90-91).
Stat you should know: If you're a fan of the passing game, you may want to pass on this game. This game will matchup the league's worst passing offense -- Bears, 177.2 yards a game -- against the NFL's next-to-worst passing offense -- Seahawks, 31st, 178.5 ypg.
Record watch: KR Leon Washington has eight career kick return touchdowns, tied with Cleveland's Josh Cribbs for the NFL record. A kick return touchdown against the Bears would move Washington past Cribbs and into the top spot in the NFL record book.
Looking ahead: Week 14 can't come soon enough for the Seahawks. Seattle will return to the friendly confines of CenturyLink Field -- where they're 5-0 this season -- to take on division rival Arizona.
Prediction: Seahawks 17, Bears 13.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Seahawks blogger John Breech follow @JohnBreech and @CBSSeahawks.
