Experts Update Seahawks vs. Bears Stat Projections Following Confirmation that Zach Charbonnet Will Start for Kenneth Walker on Thursday Night Football Tonight

Tonight’s Thursday Night Football matchup between Geno Smith’s Seattle Seahawks and Justin Fields’ Chicago Bears has taken its final form as both teams released their final inactives this afternoon. With updated player stat projections and new odds boosts and now available from Bet365, bettors and fans have key insights to guide their decisions.

Game details and updated Thursday Night Football odds

• Teams: Seahawks vs. Bears
• Date: Thursday, December 26, 2024
• Time: 8:15 PM ET
• Venue: Soldier Field
• NFL 2024 stats, rosters and injury reports

Odds

• Spread: Seahawks favored at -5
• Total (Over/Under): 41.5
• Moneyline Odds: Seahawks -220, Bears +195

The odds and lines presented in this article have been updated based on the latest injury updates. They are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Final injury reports: Key players missing for Seahawks and Bears on Thursday Night Football

Injuries continue to dominate the storyline as both teams deal with key absences ahead of tonight’s game at Soldier Field.

Seahawks Inactives:

• RB Kenneth Walker
• TE Brady Russell
• S K'Von Wallace

Bears Inactives:

• RB Travis Homer
• OL Teven Jenkins
• S Elijah Hicks
• DB Travarious Moore

Impact of Kenneth Walker, Teven Jenkins, and Travis Homer’s absences

Earlier this week, it became clear that injuries would play a significant role in shaping tonight’s Seahawks-Bears matchup. Seattle’s star running back Kenneth Walker will miss his second consecutive game after being placed on the IR due to a lingering calf injury. Without Walker, the Seahawks will turn to Zach Charbonnet as the primary ball carrier, though Kenny McIntosh could see an increased workload after impressing in limited action last week.

The Bears are also thin in their backfield, as former Seahawk Travis Homer will be sidelined with a hamstring injury. While Homer’s absence impacts special teams more than the offense, it adds to the team’s overall depth concerns.

Perhaps the biggest blow to Chicago is losing starting left guard Teven Jenkins, who has been a rare bright spot on their struggling offensive line. His absence due to a calf injury could expose quarterback Justin Fields to even more pressure from Seattle’s defensive front.

Secondary concerns for both teams

Both teams face additional challenges in their respective secondaries. Seattle safety K’Von Wallace remains on injured reserve with an ankle issue, leaving the Seahawks to lean on the emerging Coby Bryant and veteran Julian Love. For Chicago, the loss of safety Elijah Hicks and defensive back Travarious Moore leaves their already inconsistent secondary vulnerable against Geno Smith’s passing attack.

Questionable Bears players to watch

The Bears also have linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (hip), defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Jr. (knee), and center Doug Kramer (shoulder) listed as questionable. Their game-time statuses could further complicate Chicago’s efforts to snap a two-game losing streak.

Seattle, on the other hand, does not have any players listed as questionable, though they face their own depth challenges with multiple key players already ruled out.

Tonight’s matchup will test the depth of both rosters as the Seahawks and Bears aim to overcome their injury woes and pick up a critical late-season win.

The confirmed inactive players further shape the projections and best bets  for tonight’s game. Dimers’ analysts conducted 10,000 new simulations to account for these changes, and the results are reflected below.

Updated projected player stats for Thursday Night Football

New Bet365 Boosted Odds for Thursday Night Football

Bet365 has unveiled three exciting bet boosts for tonight’s Seahawks vs. Bears Thursday Night Football game, offering enticing value for bettors:

Super Boost: +100 (was +225)

• Caleb Williams: 1+ Pass TDs
• Geno Smith: 1+ Pass TDs

This Super Boost significantly improves the payout for bettors anticipating at least one touchdown pass from both quarterbacks in tonight’s matchup.

Bet Boost #1: +1100 (was +780)

• D.K. Metcalf to Score a TD
• D.J. Moore to Score a TD
• D.J. Moore: 50+ Receiving Yards
• D.K. Metcalf: 50+ Receiving Yards

A high-risk, high-reward parlay for bettors expecting both teams’ top wideouts to shine under the lights at Soldier Field.

Bet Boost #2: +900 (was +850)

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 60+ Receiving Yards
• Keenan Allen: 60+ Receiving Yards
• Rome Odunze: 60+ Receiving Yards

For fans of the passing game, this parlay boost focuses on high-output performances from three dynamic receivers.

Betting insights and takeaways

Tonight’s matchup comes with plenty of intrigue as injuries leave both teams shorthanded. For the Seahawks, the absence of RB Ken Walker means Zach Charbonnet will lead the backfield, with Kenny McIntosh providing added depth. This could shift the offensive focus to Geno Smith and the passing game, making D.K. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba critical targets.

On the Bears’ side, losing OL Teven Jenkins weakens their offensive line, potentially forcing Justin Fields to rely heavily on quick throws and playmaking from D.J. Moore. Additionally, the absence of secondary players like Elijah Hicks may open up opportunities for Seattle’s receivers to exploit Chicago’s defense.

Bettors should consider how these injuries and the short week could impact tonight’s game flow. Take advantage of Bet365’s boosted odds, as well as any in-game adjustments for live betting opportunities.

Don’t forget to check back after the game for updated analysis, injury news, and betting trends as the playoff race heats up!