Seattle Seahawks’ Playoff Aspirations on Shaky Ground Following Eagles’ MNF Meltdown
The Seattle Seahawks find themselves in a precarious position as the NFL playoff picture begins to take shape. If the postseason commenced next weekend, the Seahawks would be heading to Tampa Bay for a Wild Card matchup against the Buccaneers. While that scenario is far from ideal, it’s a reality that the 10-3 Seahawks are desperately trying to avoid. With aspirations of not only clinching the NFC West but also securing the coveted No. 1 seed in the NFC, the stakes are higher than ever.
Eagles’ Struggles Open the Door for Seattle
The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles experienced a painful setback on Monday Night Football, suffering their third consecutive loss. In a dramatic 22-19 overtime defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Eagles fell to 8-5, plagued by a staggering eight turnovers and four interceptions thrown by quarterback Jalen Hurts. This unexpected collapse further complicates the playoff landscape, leaving teams like Seattle eager to capitalize on any opportunity.
Despite boasting a superior record to the 7-6 Buccaneers, the Seahawks would find themselves on the road due to Tampa Bay’s leadership in the NFC South. The Buccaneers handed Seattle one of its only three losses earlier in the season, a thrilling Week 5 shootout that ended in a 38-35 defeat. In that game, Baker Mayfield torched Seattle’s defense for a season-high 370 passing yards, a performance that has since haunted the Seahawks.
Seattle’s Impressive Comeback
Since that loss, the Seahawks have turned their season around, winning seven of their last eight games while significantly tightening their defensive performance. They have not allowed more than 232 passing yards in a game during this stretch, showcasing a marked improvement under head coach Mike Macdonald. With a key rematch against the Los Angeles Rams looming on December 18, Seattle is poised to continue its push for a higher playoff seed.
This weekend, the Seahawks catch a fortunate break as they prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts, who are set to start a backup quarterback. With the possibility of rookie Riley Leonard taking the helm or the Colts calling upon former Seahawk Brett Rypien from the practice squad, Seattle’s defense will look to exploit this favorable matchup.
Current NFC Playoff Landscape
The NFC playoff picture is shaping up as follows:
Division Leaders
1. Los Angeles Rams 10-3
2. Green Bay Packers 9-3-1
3. Philadelphia Eagles 8-5
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-6
Wild Cards
5. Seattle Seahawks 10-3
6. San Francisco 49ers 9-4
7. Chicago Bears 9-4
In The Hunt
8. Detroit Lions 8-5
9. Carolina Panthers 7-6
As the Seahawks navigate the final weeks of the regular season, the pressure is mounting. They must remain focused and assertive to secure not just a playoff berth, but a favorable position that could lead them toward a deeper postseason run. In this unpredictable NFL landscape, every game counts, and Seattle is determined to keep its playoff aspirations alive.
