The Seattle Seahawks captured their third consecutive victory, outlasting the New York Jets 26-21 in Week 13. Mike Macdonald’s squad now enters Sunday’s Week 14 showdown versus the Arizona Cardinals in pole position in the NFC West. With the Cardinals (6-6) trailing the Seahawks (7-5) by one game in the division, Sunday’s outcome will have a massive impact on both team’s postseason odds.
A Seahawks victory would increase their chances of making the playoffs to 62%, while lowering the Cardinals’ postseason hopes to 17%, according to FTN Fantasy’s simulation model. On the flip-side, a Cardinals win would increase their playoff chances to 71%, while decreasing Seattle’s to 11%. It’s borderline a must-win game for both teams.
Seahawks at Cardinals is by far the most important game of the week for the playoff picture.
In our sims, a Seahawks win would make the Seahawks 62% to make the playoffs with the Cardinals 17%.
With a Cardinals win, it would be 71% for Arizona and 11% for Seattle.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) December 3, 2024
Sunday’s meeting will mark the second and final scheduled contest between the Seahawks and Cardinals this season. The Seahawks began taking ownership of the NFC West by defeating the Cardinals 16-6 at Lumen Field just two weeks ago. Arizona will now possess home-field advantage in the rematch.
The Seahawks were dominant defensively in the first meeting, forcing a Kyler Murray interception, sacking him five times, and preventing Arizona’s offense from scoring a touchdown. The Cardinals gained under 300 total yards of offense and went a combined 3-of-13 on third and fourth down opportunities. Arizona also punted on six occasions and lost the time of possession battle (TOP) by nearly seven full minutes.
The Seahawks could possess a sizable advantage in the NFC West if they complete the regular-season sweep of Arizona on Sunday.
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