Bears vs. Seahawks: Studs and duds from brutal Week 17 loss

The Chicago Bears (4-12) suffered an embarrassing 6-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks (9-7) in Week 17, which marked their 10th straight loss since a 4-2 start. Interim head coach Thomas Brown is now 0-4 since taking over for the fired Matt Eberflus.

The Bears defense did everything it needed to do to win this game. They had their best outing since before the bye week, and they allowed their fewest points of the season (6). But the offense was downright embarrassing, managing a single field goal, 11 first downs, seven punts and 179 total yards. While Caleb Williams continued to make incredible plays and throws, he was sacked seven times, which now totals 67 on the season -- the most ever in franchise history.

There were a few noteworthy performances, good and bad, in this defeat. We’re taking a look at the studs and duds from the Bears' loss vs. Seattle:

Stud: CB Kyler Gordon

Chicago's defense had one of their best games since the bye week holding Seattle to just six points (two field goals), which should've been enough to win the game. Cornerback Kyler Gordon was a big catalyst for the defense's performance. He finished with five tackles, one pass breakup and forced and recovered a fumble that halted another potential Seahawks scoring drive. Gordon, who will have one year left on his current deal next season, is a prime candidate for a contract extension.

Dud: Offensive line

The Bears offensive line has been putrid all season, and they were down their starting left tackle and left guard, where the duo of Larry Borom and Jake Curhan (along with center Coleman Shelton) was a recipe for disaster. Quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked seven times -- and he's now been sacked 67 times this season, which is the most in franchise history and nearing the most in NFL history. They weren't all on the offensive line, but as usual, the O-line has played a huge role in the ineffectiveness on offense. Curhan, starting in place of an injured Teven Jenkins, was especially brutal, accounting for two penalties that cost the Bears points, including a beautiful touchdown from Williams to Rome Odunze in the second quarter.

Stud: P Tory Taylor

The offense was non-existent in this game, but rookie punter Tory Taylor was here to save the day and did his part to help give Chicago a chance to win. Taylor had six punts for 282 yards, averaging 47 yards per punt, with a long of 50 yards. Four of those punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, which played a huge role in flipping the field and giving the defense prime field position to defend Seattle's offense.

Dud: HC Thomas Brown

Thomas Brown is now 0-4 as Bears interim head coach, and this team has looked worse since Matt Eberflus was fired after Thanksgiving. If he wasn't already, Brown should be crossed out as a candidate for Chicago's head coaching vacancy. With Caleb Williams' development of utmost importance, Williams was once again left out to dry with another poorly-called offensive game plan, which starts with Brown. Brown showed the same, if not worse, game management at the end of the fourth quarter when he used a timeout to go for it on fourth down rather than punt. After the game, Brown said: "It wasn't confusing at all, I just changed my mind."

Dud: First-half run defense

The Bears defense had its best game in weeks against the Seahawks, so it's hard to knock them for anything. But the run defense was brutal in the first half, which allowed 91 yards to the 30th-ranked rushing offense that put their leading rusher, Kenneth Walker III, on injured reserve today. Seattle opened with 53 rushing yards, which tied for their second most on any drive this season, and 7.6 yards per carry, which led to an opening-drive field goal. Chicago did lock things down in the second half, limiting them to just 31 rushing yards.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Seahawks: Studs and duds from brutal Week 17 loss