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They say "when it rains, it pours," but it's the opposite for the Bears right now.
On Monday night, even what didn't go well turned out well for the Bears in a 34-17 win over the defending-champion Seahawks.
A delay of game penalty in the fourth quarter looked like it would keep the momentum with Seattle in a one-possession game, but it instead turned into the extra chance Chicago needed to jumpstart a drive and bury the Seahawks.
Here's what you need to know about how the Bears benefitted from their own penalty.
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Bears delay of game penalty
The Seahawks, trailing by three, appeared to have a stop and a chance to get the ball back before they realized officials had blown a third down play dead with a delay of game penalty.
Because the penalty occurred before the snap, the tackle for loss that would've easily forced fourth down was erased, and the Bears had a chance to extend their drive on third-and-9.
The 3rd & 4 delay of game on what would have been a tackle for loss into the 3rd & 9 Kalif Raymond explosive could be the biggest sliding doors moment for the NFC playoff picture this season. Am in shock
— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) November 3, 2026Kalif Raymond exploded for 39 yards, not only extending the drive but setting up a Bears touchdown that would stretch the lead to two possessions just seconds later.
When you call a screen you hope it’s blocked up as well as this was. Big-time play by Chicago. https://t.co/n19LGEi43s
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) November 3, 2026Because the penalty occurred before the snap, the Seahawks weren't able to decline it.
With the crowd tempered, the Seahawks never recovered from the sequence. Seattle wouldn't score again, ultimately giving up another touchdown as the Bears jumped out to a 17-point advantage.
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