Tag: nfc west standings

Seahawks win over Vikings in Week 16 would mean more than a victory in Week 17

Seahawks win over Vikings in Week 16 would mean more than a victory in Week 17

The Seattle Seahawks’ postseason hopes suffered a massive setback following Sunday Night Football’s 30-13 Week 15 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The Los Angeles Rams took over control of the NFC West division as a result. Seattle’s playoff chances plummeted to 37.2% to win the division, and 35.1% to make the postseason, per Brady Henderson and ESPN Analytics.

Seahawks fans have begun looking ahead to a potentially NFC West division-deciding showdown with the Rams in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but not so fast. Mike Macdonald’s club possesses two important games before that, with the Minnesota Vikings this weekend, and the Chicago Bears in Week 17. According to Brian Nemhauser, a victory over the Vikings would achieve more to increase Seattle’s playoff chances than a triumph over the Bears would.

Defeating the Vikings would give the Seahawks a strength of victory tiebreaker over Rams even if they’re upset by the Bears a week later, per Nemhauser. Beating Chicago and losing to Minnesota would not achieve the same. The Seahawks must approach the Vikings contest this weekend with a win-and-in mindset.

The 12-2 Vikings have won seven consecutive contests. Seattle is facing another must-win situation at Lumen Field. Hopefully they handle that scenario better than they did in Sunday’s Packers embarrassment.

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Seahawks fighting for their playoff lives as Vikings look to win NFC North

Seahawks fighting for their playoff lives as Vikings look to win NFC North

The Seattle Seahawks suffered a costly defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. Seattle was knocked from both their perch atop the NFC West (as the Los Angeles Rams have now taken over due to their head-to-head victory earlier this year) and out of the NFC playoff picture entirely. The Seahawks’ postseason odds plummeted after the blowout loss in prime time.

Seattle’s path forward does not get any easier, as the now 12-2 Minnesota Vikings are coming to town this weekend. The Seahawks’ backs are against the wall and are desperate for a win, but unfortunately for them, the Vikings have plenty to play for as well.

Thanks to the Detroit Lions losing 48-42 to the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota now controls their own destiny for both winning the NFC North… and even earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Yes, that’s right. The Minnesota Vikings with Sam Darnold at quarterback could have a first round bye in the playoffs. Should the Vikes beat the Hawks on Sunday, as well as winning against the Packers in Week 17 (Minnesota won in Lambeau earlier this year) and defeat the Lions in Week 18, they will be the No. 1 seed. Even if the Philadelphia Eagles also finish 15-2, the Vikings still edge them out.

So yeah, the Seahawks won’t be catching any kind of “break” from an opponent who doesn’t necessarily “need” a win this weekend. Seattle will be getting the best Minnesota has to offer, because the Vikings know how difficult the next two weeks will also be for them.

The Seahawks better hope quarterback Geno Smith’s optimism for being able to play this weekend isn’t misplaced.

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Seahawks’ postseason odds plummet following Packers setback

Seahawks’ postseason odds plummet following Packers setback

The Seattle Seahawks entered Sunday’s primetime contest versus the Green Bay Packers in pole position in the NFC West. Having enjoyed a four-game win streak, Mike Macdonald’s club went into Sunday possessing a 55.5% chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Analytics department. Their predictive model gave Seattle a 51.8% chance to win the division title.

Unfortunately, the Seahawks were swept aside 30-13 by the Packers on Sunday Night Football. That setback had a dramatic impact on Seattle’s updated postseason odds. The Los Angeles Rams have moved into first place in the NFC West. Seattle’s latest playoff now stands at 37.2% to win the division, and 35.1% to make the postseason, per Brady Henderson and ESPN Analytics.

It’s rare that a team possesses a better opportunity to win the division than claim a wild-card spot, but that’s the situation the Seahawks find themselves in. As Henderson laid out above, the Washington Commanders currently possess a one-game lead for the third-and-final wild card spot, and have two more NFC wins for tiebreaker purposes. Whereas the Seahawks still possess a potentially NFC-West-deciding showdown with the Rams during Week 18’s regular-season finale.

Macdonald’s attention now shifts to a difficult matchup with the surging 12-2 Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. The Seahawks must stay within one victory of their arch rival Rams to increase their chances of Week 18 being a win-and-in scenario. Seattle must quickly recover from Sunday’s setback to keep their postseason dreams alive.

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What’s at stake for the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football?

What’s at stake for the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football?

The Seattle Seahawks have as big a game as they get in the regular season tonight on Sunday Night Football. Every game against the Green Bay Packers is a must-see event for the 12th Man, especially under the lights of prime time. But what we have here in Week 15 is not your average meeting between these teams.

Seattle is hosting Green Bay in what is essentially a playoff preview. Right now, the Seahawks are the No. 3 seed in the NFC, while the Packers are the No. 6 seed. Should the regular season magically end right now, these teams would play this exact game at Lumen Field in Wild Card Weekend. While the stakes may not be “loser goes home for good,” they are still incredibly high… especially for Seattle.

Simply put, here is what is at stake for the Seahawks:

  • If they win: Seattle remains in first place in the NFC West and stays put at the No. 3 seed. They don’t necessarily improve standings wise, but remaining where they are at is just as important.
  • If they lose: the Seahawks will not only fall to second place in the NFC West, as the Rams will overtake them, they will fall out of the playoff picture entirely.

While Seattle’s season won’t be “over” if they lose, they will find themselves on the outside looking in for the next three weeks of the season where they will be fighting for their lives. Not exactly a spot you want to be in this time of the year.

Additionally, should Seattle lose but end up winning the West, the additional loss will almost certainly knock them out of the No. 3 spot for the playoffs. There is a huge difference between No. 3 and No. 4, who would likely host the Minnesota Vikings.

So yeah, to say the Seahawks need to find a way to win at home tonight is the understatement of the day.

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Rams keep pressure on Seahawks, defeat 49ers 12-6 on TNF

Rams keep pressure on Seahawks, defeat 49ers 12-6 on TNF

The pressure remains high for the Seattle Seahawks, who are defending a narrow lead over the Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFC West. Seattle, at 8-5, is in first. Unfortunately, the Rams remain hot on their tail as they improved to 8-6 with their ugly 12-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football.

Los Angeles upset the Buffalo Bills in Week 14 with a thrilling 44-42 game, and they kept the momentum going in Santa Clara. It was an ugly, defensive battle by the Bay as both the Niners and Rams exchanged field goals. LA’s defense shut down San Francisco’s offense – as they were held to only 191 yards of offense and three points in the second half.

For years, the 12th Man (and myself) have been screaming to anyone who will listen that Brock Purdy is not a good quarter. In a cruel twist of fate, he proved all of us right in a moment when we desperately wanted to be wrong. Purdy was atrocious, completing 14-of-31 passes for 142 yards, no touchdowns and a horrendous interception late that sealed the deal for a Rams victory. On the final play of the game, Purdy also took a sack.

Once more, “Mr. Irrelevant” looked every bit of his nickname without the likes of running back Christian McCaffrey or left tackle Trent Williams.

Sadly, the 12’s were (with disgust) certainly rooting for the 49ers out of necessity. Had San Francisco won, it would have given the Seahawks a little cushion for their impending Sunday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers. Instead, the Seahawks are yet again in a situation where they must win in order to remain in first place. If Seattle loses, the Rams will move into the top spot due to their head-to-head win and a better divisional record.

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Seattle Seahawks’ Week 15 Rooting Guide

Seattle Seahawks’ Week 15 Rooting Guide

The Seattle Seahawks are hosting the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football in Week 15. It qualifies as a big-time game in the NFC playoff picture. Around the NFC West, the Los Angeles Rams unfortunately defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Thursday’s primetime contest. With other notable contests on the docket that directly impact the Seahawks’ postseason odds and seeding, we’ve compiled your Week 15 rooting guide.

Patriots over Cardinals

As a result of the Rams-49ers game, the only other NFC West team in action this weekend is the Arizona Cardinals, who play host to the New England Patriots. The Seahawks possess a sizable lead over the Cardinals in the division as a result of sweeping this year’s regular-season series, but a loss is always preferred. Drake Maye and the Patriots will attempt to execute the upset.

Commanders over Eagles

The Seahawks are currently the No. 3 seed in the NFC Playoff Picture. The Philadelphia Eagles, the two-seed, play a divisional game versus the Washington Commanders on Sunday. The Seahawks trail the Eagles by three contests, but still possess a flicker of hope to capture the NFC’s No. 2 postseason seeding if Philadelphia goes on a late-season losing streak.

Chargers over Buccaneers

The No. 4 seed is the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are right on Seattle’s heels for the NFC’s third playoff seed. A Los Angeles Chargers victory would place some much-appreciated distance between the Seahawks and the Bucs.

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3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Cardinals in Week 14

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Cardinals in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks face a critical matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s Week 14 game. It’s a potentially decisive NFC West rematch after the Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 16-6 two weeks ago. Sunday’s outcome will have a drastic impact on the standings and postseason odds. Mike Macdonald’s defense was downright dominant in that victory a fortnight ago. We’ve compiled three bold predictions for the defense in Week 14.

Uchenna Nwosu records a sack in his return

Macdonald’s defense received some excellent news on Thursday as the team activated Uchenna Nwosu off IR. It should provide the defense with a major jolt in the arm. The team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee, Nwosu has barely played in 2024, initially missing the opening four contests after suffering an injury in the preseason finale. His return from that setback lasted precisely just 20 snaps before a thigh injury sidelined him again. Look for the anxious defender to sack Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray on Sunday on his triumphant return.

Leonard Williams keeps dominant run going

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams has been on a tear in recent weeks and that ongoing streak first began against the Cardinals in Week 12. Williams was unstoppable, sacking Murray 2.5 times. His latest performance against the New York Jets earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. The Cardinals aren’t looking forward to seeing him again.

Seahawks limit Cardinals to under 75 rushing yards

Arizona simply couldn’t run the football against Seattle’s stout defensive front two weeks ago. Running backs James Conner and Trey Benson were limited to 26 rushing yards via 11 carries (2.36 yards per carry). The Cardinals totaled under 50 net rushing yards. Similar results could occur on Sunday.

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Seahawks-Cardinals to have drastic impact on postseason NFC West odds

Seahawks-Cardinals to have drastic impact on postseason NFC West odds

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.

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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A couple ways 49ers can miraculously still win NFC West

The San Francisco 49ers playoff chances are slim, but there’s still a (narrow) path to them winning the NFC West.

It appears on the surface like the San Francisco 49ers hunt for an NFC West title is over following a second consecutive blowout loss in Week 13.

The Buffalo Bills annihilated the 49ers 35-10 at Highmark Stadium just one week after the Green Bay Packers thumped them 38-10. Those two losses were preceded by a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and after 12 games the 49ers are at 5-7 and alone in last place in the NFC West.

As the injuries pile up alongside the losses, it’s hard to believe there’s any real chance the 49ers find a way to win the NFC West for a third consecutive season.  Alas, there is a chance.

The 49ers could win out and finish 10-7 while the other clubs stumble down the stretch to worse finishes. San Francisco could even lose one of their final five to finish 9-8 while the rest of the division dukes it out to 8-9 finishes or worse.

But what if they wind up tied?

Here are a couple of different ways that could look:

San Francisco 49ers (5-7)

Week 14 vs. Chicago Bears: Win
Week 15 vs. Los Angeles Rams: Win
Week 16 at Miami Dolphins: Win
Week 17 vs. Detroit Lions: Loss
Week 18 at Arizona Cardinals: Win

Record: (9-8)

Note: We can flip the Dolphins and Lions games and this still works.

Seattle Seahawks (7-5)

Week 14 at Arizona Cardinals: Loss
Week 15 vs. Green Bay Packers: Loss
Week 16 vs. Minnesota Vikings: Win
Week 17 at Chicago Bears: Win
Week 18 at Los Angeles Rams: Loss

Record: (9-8)

Note: The key for San Francisco is that the Seahawks lose to Arizona and then two of their final four. 

Arizona Cardinals (6-6)

Week 14 vs. Seattle Seahawks: Win
Week 15 vs. New England Patriots: Win
Week 16 at Carolina Panthers: Win
Week 17 at Los Angeles Rams: Loss
Week 18 vs. San Francisco 49ers: Loss

Record: (9-8)

Note: The 49ers just need Arizona to beat Seattle. The rest of them don’t matter.

Los Angeles Rams (6-6)

Week 14 vs. Buffalo Bills: Loss
Week 15 at San Francisco 49ers: Loss
Week 16 at New York Jets: Loss
Week 17 vs. Arizona Cardinals: Win
Week 18 vs. Seattle Seahawks: Win

Record: (8-9)

Note: San Francisco needs the Rams to win those last two NFC West games unless Seattle stumbles and drops two against the NFC North. Then a Seahawks win over the Rams in Week 18 doesn’t affect much. 

In this above situation, the 49ers would win the three-way tiebreaker with the Cardinals and Seahawks because they’d own a 6-6 record in the conference. The three-way tiebreakers in the NFL start at head-to-head matchups, but all the teams split their division games, which also eliminates the division record tiebreaker. They also have the same record in common games with each team landing at 5-5 in their common matchups.

That turns the tiebreaker to conference record where the 49ers would somehow have an edge. San Francisco in this scenario would finish 6-6 against NFC teams, while the Rams and Seahawks would both wrap up at 5-7, lifting the 49ers over both to a home playoff game on wild card weekend as the NFC West champions.

This scenario also works if one of the Seahawks or Cardinals lose an additional game or two and land at 8-9 or worse. San Francisco would still hold tiebreakers over both clubs in a two-team tiebreaker battle.

What about a 4-way tie?

If the Seahawks lose to both the Packers and Vikings, then beat the Rams in Week 18, while the Rams earned victories over the Bills in Week 14 and Jets in Week 16, it would give the 49ers a division win in a four-way tie.

Alas, these scenarios are hyper-specific with not a lot of wiggle room because of the tiebreakers. Still, there’s a modicum of hope for the optimists looking for something to cling to entering Week 14.

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Updated NFC West standings headed into Week 14: Seahawks remain in 1st

Updated NFC West standings headed into Week 14: Seahawks remain in 1st

It cannot be overstated how big of a seized opportunity it was for the Seattle Seahawks for winning on Sunday. The Seahawks survived a sloppy and bizarre game against the New York Jets, ultimately prevailing with a 26-21 victory on the road. As I say often, style points do not matter in this league, only wins count.

And count they do, as Seattle created a little distance between themselves and the rest of the division. The Seahawks won, but the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers did not. Arizona lost a narrow battle to the Minnesota Vikings 23-22 with Kyler Murray throwing a game-losing interception in the final minute of the game.

Meanwhile the 49ers suffered their second-straight blowout loss. One week after being dog walked by the Packers to the tune of 38-10, they endured an almost identical fate by losing 35-10 to the Buffalo Bills.

Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Rams are still somehow alive, being the only other NFC West team to prevail in Week 13. They also won on the road, taking down the New Orleans Saints 21-14. Below are the current divisional standings:

  • Seattle Seahawks 7-5
  • Arizona Cardinals 6-6
  • Los Angeles Rams 6-6
  • San Francisco 49ers 5-7

Arizona edges out Los Angeles for now due to a direct head-to-head tiebreaker over the Rams. The Cards obliterated them 41-10 in Week 2 of this season.

Speaking of the Red Birds, they are Seattle’s next opponent. The rematch of the season is already upon the Hawks, and the stakes are just as high. Should Arizona beat Seattle in Week 14, they will reclaim first place in the NFC West due to a better division record tiebreaker. Currently, the Seahawks are 2-2 in the division, while the Cardinals are 2-1.

Seattle did themselves a favor by winning, but that’s officially in the past. What matters now is finding a way to win in Week 14 to stave off Arizona, and a Los Angeles team that simply will not quit.

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