The Seattle Seahawks have suffered consecutive double digit losses for the first time since the 2009 season and are eliminated from postseason contention for only the third time in the Pete Carroll era. Their final two games are only for pride, with no playoff implications. First on the docket is one of the few teams lower in the standings than Seattle: the Detroit Lions.
This is Detroit’s first visit back to Seattle since a 26-6 Wild Card loss in the 2016 season. Interestingly enough, the Lions are the only NFC Team to have not recorded a victory at Lumen Field, as they are 0-4. The last time the Lions claimed a win in the Emerald City was in 1999 when the Seahawks still played at the Kingdome.
Detroit is one of the worst teams in football, but they have rarely played like it at times. Despite starting the season 0-11-1, the Lions have remained bizarrely competitive in most of their games. Although they only have two wins, a strong argument could be made they should have more. Detroit has suffered a string of heartbreaking close games, where defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory. Had the ball bounced their way a few more times, the Lions could be closer to .500 than a top-three draft pick.
Detroit may be one of the worst teams, but the Seahawks haven’t exactly proven there is a wide gap between them. With only three more wins than the Lions, 2021 is just as much a disappointment for the Seahawks. Now Seattle catches Detroit while they are playing their best football of the year. If the Seahawks aren’t careful, they may end up as one of Detroit’s few wins of the season.
The Seahawks have been atrocious when it comes to closing games. Three times this year they have blown double digit leads, with two of them being in the fourth quarter. However, they now face an opponent who is far worse when it comes to sealing would-be victories.
Detroit is frisky and will likely give the Seahawks all they can handle. Under no circumstances should Seattle think this game will be a cakewalk, as they host an opponent desperate to end an abysmal season on a high note with momentum going into next year.
As lifeless as the Seahawks have looked for most of the year, especially after their humiliating 25-24 loss to Chicago, I simply cannot pick the Lions to upset Russell Wilson at home… in what could possibly be his final home game as a Seahawk.
Prediction: Seahawks over Lions 20-17.
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