Seahawks Are A Daunting Challenge For Bears, But 'Everybody's Beatable'

By Chris Emma--

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Currently 0-2, the Bears are going into one of football's most hostile venues Sunday, Seattle's CenturyLink Field. Their opponent is the defending NFC champion Seahawks. Their starting quarterback likely won't play, and the status of their star running back and top receiver are in jeopardy, too.

Even with the odds stacked against them -- some oddsmakers have the Bears as underdogs of more than two touchdowns -- the team is keeping confident as it looks ahead to Sunday.

"We're never going to look at those guys like they're giants," defensive end Jarvis Jenkins said. "Everybody's beatable in the NFL. We definitely got a good chance of going out there and beating them, we just got to know our plan and execute."

Following a 48-23 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals last Sunday, the Bears are still seeking their first win, all while searching for ways to improve. The offense mustered just nine points from three Robbie Gould field goals after Cutler left Sunday's game late in the second quarter with his strained hamstring. As Chicago's offense couldn't get itself off the field, the defense struggled to keep Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer and receiver Larry Fitzgerald in check.

When asked about struggles of the past two weeks, several Bears players looked ahead to the new challenge rather than dwelling on what's happened.

"The past is the past," tackle Kyle Long said. "I'm moving on. I'm investing in Seattle. You can't prepare for a game you've already played."

Status updates of injured Bears players didn't provide much clarity after Wednesday's workout. Coach John Fox declined to elaborate on the status of Cutler while questioning the various reports that he will miss two weeks. However, multiple sources have confirmed that it will be Jimmy Clausen getting the start for Chicago, and the team is preparing as such.

Clausen is 1-10 as a starting quarterback in his NFL career. Seattle is 22-2 in regular-season home games when Russell Wilson as its starting quarterback.

Entering Sunday's home opener, Seattle is 0-2, too, having lost at St. Louis and Green Bay. The Bears see the Seahawks' situation similar to theirs.

"You are your record," tight end Martellus Bennett said.

Despite the challenges ahead Sunday -- injuries, crowd noise and one of the NFL's most talented teams -- the Bears are confident in their preparation and plan. Their coaches have controlled the sentiments within the locker room.

At 0-2, with the odds stacked against them, the Bears must dig in and fight to earn a chance at victory.

"I've been in deeper holes than this before," Long said. "You got to come out and punch somebody in the mouth."

Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.