The Seattle Seahawks cannot clinch a playoff berth this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, but they can be the undisputed top of the NFC by the end of Week 17.
However unlikely it may be, there is a reasonable path to the No. 1 seed for the Seahawks that involves them (obviously) winning their next three games, as well as major outside help from other teams that would give the Seahawks an unassailable lead heading into Week 18. I wouldn’t consider this getting too far ahead, but instead laying
out plausible ways for things to break Seattle’s way. Also, there are still ways the Seahawks can miss the playoffs right now and even if they improve to 11-3 by Sunday, but that only serves to induce panic.
Before we get to the scenario, let’s review the current NFC playoff picture.
NFC Playoff Standings entering Week 15
- Los Angeles Rams: 10-3
- Green Bay Packers: 9-3-1
- Philadelphia Eagles: 8-5
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-6
- Seattle Seahawks: 10-3
- Chicago Bears: 9-4
- San Francisco 49ers: 9-4
- Detroit Lions: 8-5
- Carolina Panthers: 7-6
- Dallas Cowboys: 6-6-1
- Minnesota Vikings: 5-8
The Rams are only ahead of the Seahawks on the head-to-head tiebreaker, otherwise Seattle would have that top spot. Right on Seattle’s heels within the NFC West are the San Francisco 49ers at 9-4, so let’s not pretend they’re an afterthought. The Detroit Lions are the best non-Wild Card team at 8-5, and they are a key part of this Seahawks No. 1 seed scenario.
What the Seattle Seahawks need for the No. 1 seed at the end of Week 17
- The Seahawks must win their next three games against the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, and Carolina Panthers, AND;
- The Los Angeles Rams must lose to either the Detroit Lions (Week 15) or Atlanta Falcons (Week 17), AND;
- The San Francisco 49ers must lose one of their next three games against the Tennessee Titans (Week 15), Indianapolis Colts (Week 16), or Chicago Bears (Week 17), AND;
- The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers must both lose once over the next three games.
If all of these things happen, the Seahawks would be 13-3 and at least two up in the win column over the Rams, 49ers, Bears, and Packers, which would wrap up the No. 1 seed a week early. However, a couple of these outcomes affect one another (e.g. Bears and 49ers needing to lose once, but they play each other in Week 17), and there are some games like 49ers vs. Titans where there’s almost no shot of an upset. Nevertheless, this is the practical Week 15 rooting guide I’ve devised for any No. 1 seed supporters:
Week 15 Seahawks playoff rooting guide
- Seahawks over Colts
- Browns over Bears
- Titans over 49ers
- Lions over Rams
- Broncos over Packers
- Bonus: Raiders over Eagles (would eliminate the Eagles from the No. 1 seed race with Seahawks win)
The most realistic No. 1 seed path for the Seahawks
- Seahawks over Colts, Rams, and Panthers (Wks 15-17)
- Lions over Rams (Wk 15)
- Broncos over Packers (Wk 15)
- Packers over Bears (Wk 16)
- Bears over 49ers (Wk 17)
So there you have it! This is probably not going to happen, but don’t let that stop you from dreaming. If the Seahawks lose at any point along the way I think you can kiss the top seed goodbye, but for the time being let’s live a little.
Go ‘Hawks!
