The Seattle Seahawks have defied the expectations of many for the 2018 season even with a mediocre record of 4-5 through the first nine games. It’s halfway through the season and teams are already starting to etch their spot in the playoffs. But the Wild Card round is a close race in both the AFC and NFC conferences with the remaining seeds up for grabs. The time is now to keep the Seahawks playoff hopes alive.
Seattle Seahawks Playoff Hopes Diminish By Week
Rams Came Out As the Alpha Again
The Seahawks came into week 10 at 4-4 against the Los Angeles Rams who were 8-1. The Seahawks were five points away with less than six minutes to go in the fourth quarter. NFC West divisional match-ups always seem to come down to a game-changing moment. In this game, it was Dante Fowler Jr.’s fumble recovery that set the Rams and Brandin Cooks up for a touchdown to take the lead at 36-24. The Seahawks soon responded with a touchdown themselves to bump up the score 31-36. The Rams got the ball back but failed to do anything leaving the Seahawks enough time to get the job done. But on a nail-biting final drive, Russell Wilson ended up over-shooting his receiver, turning the ball over with 18 seconds to go and effectively ending the game.
On the bright side, Seattle was able to keep a close score both games against (arguably) the NFL’s best team this year. Wilson continues to prove his dominance as the franchise quarterback all while the run game continues to soar even with Chris Carson out with an injury this week. In his place, rookie Rashaad Penny had his breakout game as he shared carries with Mike Davis.
What It Means
Seattle now drops to 4-5, second place in the NFC West while the Rams advance to 9-1. The Rams and the New Orleans Saints have basically solidified their spot in the number one and two seeds in the NFC conference playoff picture depending on how their respective seasons finish. The Seahawks really only have the chance of taking the NFC West division if they win out their final seven games. Only a miracle could let that happen.
The Seahawks are currently a projected 9th seed in the NFC conference playoffs, which has them missing the post-season for the second straight year. Ahead of them are the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, and Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round. Seattle plays Green Bay, Carolina, and Minnesota in the coming weeks as well as the AFC number one seed holder, the Kansas City Chiefs. Each of these match-ups is crucial to keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Seattle also has three NFC West divisional games left. Two against the San Francisco 49ers and one against the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle’s season closer at home. Neither of those teams is even close to reaching the playoffs but it is important for Seattle to win all three to stay in the hunt.
While the 49ers and Cardinals are in contention for the first overall pick in the draft, divisional match-ups always come tough no matter the teams ranking, so I wouldn’t overlook these games. I still believe that the Seahawks can do 10-6 at their best to finish the season but it’s sure feeling more and more like a lost cause.
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