The key to beating Cover-2: Stevens?

KIRKLAND – The recipe for cooking the Cover-2 defense is supposed to be to send a reliable tight end over the middle and throw him some deep passes.

During the regular season, the Seattle Seahawks didn’t look like they had that tight end. But after last week’s five-catch, two-touchdown performance, 6-foot-7 Jerramy Stevens looks like he might be just the man for the job.

“Of course, he brings a lot to it,” said Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith, whose team uses the Cover-2 defense. “Of course he didn’t play last time (the Seahawks played Chicago), and the last few weeks he’s really been a big part, especially this last week, of their offense.

“… We know that we’ll have to contend with the tight end.”

Stevens caught just 22 passes during the regular season, but he had a breakout game in the 21-20 playoff win over Dallas one week ago.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said that Stevens’ performance came at a good time.

“It is big,” he said this week. “It is very important for us that he plays well. He came up with some big plays in that game.”

For his efforts last Saturday, Stevens was awarded a game ball after Friday’s practice.

“He came up big in a big game,” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Friday. “He’s had kind of a bumpy season in some respects, but he came up big in a big game, and he got rewarded for that.”

While tight ends can often serve as Cover-2 breakers, the Bears have a pretty good equalizer in middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. The 6-foot-4 linebacker’s unique mix of size and speed is what makes Chicago’s Cover-2 scheme better than most.

“We have two Pro Bowl linebackers; that helps a lot,” Smith said, referring to Urlacher and Lance Briggs. “… For the most part, we’ve defended the pass well, not just the tight end position, except for that period late in the year where we gave up some big plays.”

Jackson doesn’t practice: The playing status of Darrell Jackson is up in the air again after the wide receiver missed Friday’s practice because his toe was still bothering him.

Holmgren said earlier this week that he expected Jackson to practice, but the receiver has yet to take the field since coming out in the first half of last Saturday’s game.

“I did” think he would practice Friday, Holmgren said, “but it didn’t happen. That’s kind of the way it’s been going. But I’m hopeful (that Jackson can play) Sunday.”

Jackson, who missed the final two games of the regular season, is listed as questionable on the injury report. D.J. Hackett, who sprained his ankle last Saturday, is doubtful.

Cornerback Marcus Trufant won’t play, but he did start jogging Friday. Holmgren said Trufant might be able to play next weekend if the Seahawks make it to the NFC Championship game.

Another cornerback: Rookie cornerback Gerard Ross, who has spent most of this season on the Seahawks’ practice squad, was added to the active roster Friday. Ross is expected to see his first NFL playing time in Sunday’s game.

“He’s worked with us all season long, and now he gets a chance to step up and play a little bit,” Holmgren said. “He’s probably been thinking about this all year, and he’s been preparing himself all year. We’ll see what he can do.”

Ross gives Seattle five cornerbacks, joining starters Kelly Jennings and Jordan Babineaux as well as recent additions Pete Hunter and Rich Gardner. The Seahawks had an open spot on their roster after waiving injured safety John Howell earlier this week.

That’s a wrap: Holmgren said the Seahawks had a good practice Friday before the team headed to Chicago later in the afternoon.

“We’re as prepared as we can be,” he said. “We have some things we have to do in Chicago (today), but the physical part of it is over.

“I think the attitude’s good. We’re prepared to play a really fine football team. We’ll give it a go; we’re ready.”

Two of the best: Sunday’s game features Pro Bowl return man Devin Hester of the Bears and Pro Bowl alternate Nate Burleson of the Seahawks.

“There’s nothing I could do in this game that could take away from what he’s already done,” Burleson said. “I’m his alternate in the Pro Bowl, so it’s one of those things where I’m going to enjoy watching him, and hopefully he’s going to enjoy watching me.”

Seahawks kicker Josh Brown is in a similar situation, in that he’s one of the alternates behind Chicago’s Robbie Gould for the Pro Bowl.

Remember us? The Bears have plenty of players who have burned the Seahawks over the years.

Running back Thomas Jones broke out for a career-high 173 rushing yards while playing for the Arizona Cardinals in 2002. Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad had eight receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns against Seattle while playing for Carolina in 2004.

And Ricky Manning Jr. recorded the second two-interception game of his career against the Seahawks in an October meeting.

Quick slants: In addition to Stevens, game balls from last week’s win went to Babineaux (special teams) and defensive end Bryce Fisher (defense). … The Seahawks’ starting skill position players have only played in one game together this season. That came in last week’s game, although Jackson was unable to finish.