The Seahawks were in the mix to win the NFC West as recently as three weeks ago, but a three-game skid likely has them relying on the wild card instead.
Seattle had a prime opportunity to pick up a statement win over the Cowboys in Dallas on "Thursday Night Football," but despite putting up 35 points, the Seahawks couldn't close.
Geno Smith threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another score. DK Metcalf went off for 134 yards and three touchdowns on six receptions. Even with 334 yards of total offense, Seattle's defense could not stop Dak Prescott and the Cowboys, as Dallas secured a hard-fought 41-35 victory.
MORE: How Dallas' win over Seattle affects NFC playoff picture
The loss brings the Seahawks back to .500 at 6-6, right in the thick of the NFC wild card race. How did Thursday's result affect their playoff chances? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.
Seahawks playoff picture
Even with the loss, the Seahawks (6-6) currently stand in as the seventh and final playoff team in the NFC, but that is without the Week 13 results of the three teams behind them in the standings.
| Rank | Team | Record | Tiebreaker |
| 1 | Eagles* | 10-1 | — |
| 2 | 49ers* | 8-3 | Wins tiebreaker over DET on NFC win pct. |
| 3 | Lions* | 8-3 | — |
| 4 | Falcons* | 5-6 | Wins tiebreaker over NO on H2H win pct. |
| 5 | Cowboys | 9-3 | — |
| 6 | Vikings | 6-6 | Wins tiebreaker over SEA on NFC win pct. |
| 7 | Seahawks | 6-6 | — |
| — | Packers | 5-6 | Wins tiebreaker over LAR and NO on H2H sweep |
| — | Rams | 5-6 | Wins tiebreaker over NO on NFC win pct. |
| — | Saints | 5-6 | — |
*Indicates division leaders
The Vikings are also 6-6, but they come in ahead of the Seahawks because they have a better win percentage in NFC games. The Packers, Rams and Saints are all 5-6 and knocking on the door of the postseason behind Minnesota and Seattle.
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Los Angeles would have the head-to-head tiebreaker over Seattle after winning both matchups this season.
The Seahwks have a better NFC win percentage than the Saints, but not the Packers at this moment.
Seahawks remaining schedule
The Seahawks have five games remaining in the 2023 NFL season.
| Date | Week | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Dec. 10 | 14 | at 49ers | 4:05 p.m. | FOX |
| Dec. 18 | 15 | vs. Eagles (MNF) | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| Dec. 24 | 16 | at Titans | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| Dec. 31 | 17 | vs. Steelers | 4:05 p.m. | FOX |
| Jan. 7 | 18 | at Cardinals | TBD | TBD |
According to Tankathon, Seattle has the ninth-toughest remaining schedule, highlighted by a road game in San Francisco in Week 14 and a home, primetime "Monday Night Football" matchup in Week 15 with the Eagles.
The Seahawks' schedule lets up a little after those juggernauts, though. They have a road game against the 4-7 Titans in Week 16, followed by a tough matchup with the gritty, defensive-minded 7-4 Steelers in Week 17.
Pittsburgh will also likely be fighting for an AFC Wild Card spot during that meeting.
If Seattle can put itself one win away from the postseason come Week 18, it will close the season with an easier matchup against the 2-10 Cardinals.