Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) reacts after a long gain on a scramble by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in overtime at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, December 2, 2012. (Chris Sweda/ Chicago Tribune)

The Chicago Bears blew a chance to be the second seed in the NFC and keep their first place standing in the NFC North on Sunday.

Their 23-17 overtime loss to the visiting Seattle Seahawks really halted their playoff standing. Their playoffs are still well within sight however.

It really puts a damper on things and makes you wonder are they a contender or a pretender at this point in the season.

Considering the Seahawks were 1-5 on the road coming into Sunday’s matchup with the Bears it seemed like the Bears were going to come away with their ninth victory of the season.

But the Seahawks continued their recent success against the Bears winning their third straight game against them.

The Bears looked like they were in control for most of the game until the Seahawks let rookie quarterback Russell Wilson run a little bit. Wilson scrambled for 71 yards on the afternoon, which helped open things up running back Marshawn Lynch, who added 87 yards on the ground.

The Bears’ defense allowed a 97-yard drive with three minutes left that put the Seahawks up 17-14 with under 30 seconds left. Then the Seahawks won the toss in overtime after the Bears miraculously tied the game up on a 46-yard field goal by Robbie Gould.

The Seahawks picked up right where they left on that opening drive in overtime. Russell Wilson drove them right down the field on a 12 play, 80-yard drive that ended in a touchdown reception by wide receiver Sidney Rice. Game over.

LB Brian Urlacher (hamstring) was forced out of action during Seattle’s game winning drive in overtime. CB Tim Jennings also left the game in the fourth quarter after suffering a shoulder injury on a collision with Seahawks running back Michael Robinson.

WR Earl Bennett left the game early in the third quarter after suffering a concussion and S Chris Conte was declared done for the day as he was battling flu-like symptoms early in the first quarter.

If Urlacher is unable to go next Sunday, Nick Roach will likely slide over to the middle and Geno Hayes will move into Roach’s spot. Urlacher is still the leader of the defense as he serves as the voice as well. No word on how serious his injury is yet.

Jennings appears to be okay as he injury isn’t believed to be serious, according to ESPNChicago.com.

Without Bennett, the Bears were forced to use Weems and Sanzenbacher alongside Marshall. Once a strength for the Bears’ offense appears to a weakness with Jeffery, Hester and Bennett all banged up.

Upon Further Review:

The referees did a solid job for most of the afternoon.

One call that really altered the outcome of the game came on the game-winning drive by the Seahawks in overtime.

Charles Tillman appeared to be knocked over by WR Doug Baldwin on a big third-and-ten.

Baldwin reeled in the 12-yard pass to pick up the first down and then Wilson found Rice for 13 yards to end the game on the very next play.

If Baldwin gets called for offensive pass interference which he should have that would have pushed the Seahawks back. They would have likely settled for a field goal and the Bears would have had a chance to tie or win the game on offense.

As bad as the defense played towards the end of the game for the Bears, the chances were there for them to win this game, but they failed to capitalize.

Up Next:

The Bears travel to Minnesota to battle the Vikings for the second time in three weeks. The Vikings are coming off a tough loss to the Packers 23-14 on Sunday.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.