Field Gulls
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.
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.
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:
