Can the Seattle Seahawks Make the Playoffs?
Well, this is it. The Seattle Seahawks are coming off their BYE Week looking healthier than ever. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Russell Wilson should be starting under center for the 'Hawks, and there is even a chance that star running back Chris Carson comes back to make the backfield for opposing. Sitting at 3-5, the Seahawks' future looks relatively bleak moving forward for the Seahawks. They lost two winnable games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints--I've predicted that these losses will cost them a playoff birth. But, I'm here to analyze the future, not the past. Let's look ahead and see if the Seahawks have a chance at making the playoffs based on their remaining opponents.
Week 10: SEA@GB
Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers exchange mutual respect after a game
The Seattle Seahawks will be heading into Green Bay to take on the Packers this Sunday, and history shows that this will not be a favorable matchup for them. The Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers have developed a fierce rivalry in the past decade, and that rivalry continues on Sunday. I mentioned that Russell Wilson would be returning in this game, as will the Packers' legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has been suspended a game for lying about his vaccination status in regards to COVID-19. The Packers are coming off of an ugly loss to the two-time defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs, so they will be chomping at the bit to beat up the lesser 'Hawks. With Russell Wilson just coming back into action, and with the Packers in desperate need to get back in the win column, I can't see 'Hawks winning this one on the frigid tundra of Lambeau Field. To make matters worse for the 'Hawks, they haven't won a game in Green Bay since 1999--good Lord.
Week 11: ARI @ SEA
Seahawks’ Tyler Lockett hauls in an incredible touchdown pass, covered by former Cardinals’ cornerback Patrick Peterson (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
If everything goes the way I'm thinking, the Seahawks will be in a dire situation going into this matchup against the NFC West-leading Cardinals. After losing to the Packers, the Seahawks need to win this game to keep their postseason hopes alive. The Cardinals are coming off an impressive and dominant win over the San Francisco 49ers, proving that they should be taken seriously as contenders in the NFC. Not only did they destroy the 49ers, but they did it without Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins--yikes. However, the Seahawks won't go belly-up to their long-time rival. I believe that the 'Hawks would have too much on the line to lose, and with a healthy boost of energy from the home crowd 12s, the Seahawks get it done and move up further in the NFC rankings.
Week 12: SEA @ WSH
D.J Reed defends a pass thrown to Washington reciever Terry McLaurin (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
The Monday following Thanksgiving begins a great stretch of ideal matchups for the Seahawks. This stretch starts in Washington to face The Team. The Washington Football Team was seen as many as a team trending in the right direction. However, their defense took a huge step back after being one of the most feared in the NFL in 2020. To make matters worse, their offense is stagnant, with Terry McLaurin being the member of the offense that seems to do their job consistently well--Brandon Scherff does an excellent job. Still, sadly no one cares about offensive linemen. The Seahawks should be riding enough momentum after a win over the Cardinals to come into FedEx Field and beat The Team, but everyone knows there is a chance of it being a pyrrhic victory. You see, FedEx Field is known for ruining many players' careers, as well as giving them season-ending injuries. To put into perspective, Joe Theisman, Alex Smith, and Joe Burrow all suffered season-ending injuries when playing on FedEx field--and in Theisman's case, career-ending. There are enough players that have had season-ending injuries at FedEx Filed that you could make a giant marble memorial with every injured player to commemorate those who have fallen in the cursed arena. But I digress. If the Hawks can take advantage of Ron Rivera's troubled team unscathed, they'll have little trouble with the games to come.
Week 13: S.F. @ SEA
D.K Metcalf stiff arms San Francisco saftey Jaquiski Tartt (Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)
Though the San Francisco 49ers may be one of the lesser teams in the NFC with the Seahawks, they shouldn't be underestimated. The 49ers are a divisional rival, and lesser divisional rivals love to spoil their rival's playoff hopes. The 49ers will try and drag the Seahawks to their pitiful level, but I don't think the 'Hawks need to worry too much. Remember, the Seahawks won the first matchup between these two teams, and Seattle had negative yardage for the majority of the game. I'll remain cautious, but I think the 'Hawks win this one too.
Week 14: SEA @ HOU
Former Seahawks safety Earl Thomas returns a Deshaun Watson interception for a touchdown (Mike Siegel/Seattle Times/TNS)—this was also the last game that Kam Chancellor (#31), Earl Thomas (#29), and Richard Sherman (#25) all played together.
The Houston Texans are the worst team in professional football at this moment. The only team they have beaten was the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1--yes, the very same Jaguars that let Geno Smith carve them up. If the Seahawks lose this game, you can bet that their season will be over. The Texans are pathetic and should be destroyed, but you never know. That's why the game is played. Anyways, I'm taking my 'Hawks here again.
Week 15: SEA @ LAR
Justin Lawler celebrates after sacking Russell Wilson (Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)
Wow, the Seahawks have been on a tear in this hypothetical scenario! Surely they can't lose now! Ahem, I would like to bring you all back to reality by reminding you that the 'Hawks have a game to play in Los Angeles against the pesky Rams. The Rams have had the Seahawks' number, even in the Mike Fischer days. They have always proven to be a thorn in Seattle's side, and that will continue when the two clubs face off for the second time this season. I can see it now! Russell Wilson is making horrible passing decisions to D.K. Metcalf is in triple coverage, Chris Carson fumbles the ball, and Jamal Adams is beaten over the top by Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford. Ah yes, that sounds about right. Oh, and to make things worse, the Rams signed Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. to their squad. God have mercy on the 'Hawks when we march into this one. Please, Mr. Aaron Donlad, I'm begging of you not to high-five Russell Wilson again. I can't handle another down of Geno Smith.
Week 16: CHI @ SEA
Former Seahawks corner back Richard Sherman covers former Bears wide reciever Alshon Jeffery (Charles Rex Arbogast)
This game will play the day after Christmas, and I've always hated the game around Christmas. If the 'Hawks play poorly around this time, it genuinely ruins my mood--trust me, I know that's sad, but I've gotten better. But, if my intuition tells me anything, it's that I won't be a Grinch this year because we're playing the lowly Chicago Bears. The Bears are one of the most offensively challenged teams in the NFL, fronted by rookie quarterback Justin Fields. Though Fields has shown signs of competence in Matt Nagy's God-awful offensive scheme, he won't be having a productive day when he hears the roar of the 12s. Rookie quarterbacks are terrible in Lumen Field--if you don't believe, I recommend you watch the 'Hawks did to Trevor Lawrence and tell me that I'm wrong. I reckon that the Bears' defense could keep it interesting, but I don't think it'll be enough for them to win. Remember, they'll be going up against a hungry Seahawks team coming off of a crucial loss-they will be out for blood.
Week 17: DET @ SEA
Former Seahawks tight end Ed Dickson leaps over current Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs for a touchdown (Pual Sancya AP)
I like what Dan Campbell has been doing for the Detroit Lions; I really do. But as of right now, they're the only team in the NFL that has failed to win a game, and that's not good. This Lions team has a lot of heart and fight, but they don't have pieces to win games. I want them to succeed, and hopefully, they'll get the parts they need soon, but until then, this is another easy win for the Seahawks. Sorry Lions, keep up the great work though, we're all rooting for you!
Week 18: SEA @ ARI
Former Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney celebrates his first touchdown as a Seattle Seahawk against the Arizona Cardinals (Mark Siegel Seattle Times)
Well, this is it. The 'Hawks season all comes down to this game. Granted, they could already be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention by this match. Still, in the off chance that they aren't, this could be the biggest game of the season—a clash between two bitter divisional rivals that want nothing more than their opponent to lose. By my prediction, the 'Hawks would've already beaten this team, but I think the Cardinals will get the last laugh in the end. It truly pains me to say this because I hate the Arizona Cardinals with every inch of my being, but they've made a habit in the last couple of years of screwing with our playoff hopes and seeding. The Seahawks won't make the playoffs. I can't think of a more poetic way for this season to end such a weak season.
Russ getting hurt early in the season showed how reliant we are on him. If he never got hurt, I'm willing to bet that we're 5-3 and looking to be a lock to make the playoffs. But alas, the NFL is unpredictable--that's what makes it more fun than the NBA. All the Seahawks can do now is play football as they've never played football before. This team has nothing to lose and nothing to gain but wins. I hope this team proves me wrong and makes the playoffs, but I don't think a postseason run is happening at this point.