The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the more impressive teams in the NFL this season. Sam Darnold has looked great, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been the best WR in the NFL, and the defense has been one of the most threatening in the NFL.
There have been some lowlights, including the occasional Darnold struggle game, like his previous matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. But, in Week 16, he'll have a chance to bounce back in a big way on Thursday Night Football.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network shared the Seahawks' path to a playoff spot in Week 16. While the NFC West cannot be decided just yet, the Seahawks will have two clear paths to a spot in the playoffs this season.
How Seahawks can clinch NFC playoff spot in Week 16
There are two simple ways that the Seahawks can make the playoffs in Week 16. The first is with a win on Thursday Night Football against the Rams.
That win would have Seattle at 12-3, and not only secure them a playoff spot, but put Seattle in the driver's seat for the NFC West title, and the NFC's number one overall seed.
But, even if the Seahawks lose to the Rams in Week 16, they still will have a chance to clinch a spot this week. If the Detroit Lions, who welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers to Detroit, lose in Week 16, then the Seahawks would clinch a playoff spot.
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That's not out of the question for the Lions to lose to a Steelers team trying to stave off the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title. But if the Lions and Steelers somehow tie, then the Seahawks would still clinch a playoff spot.
Barring a Seahawks loss and a Lions win, the Seahawks will make the playoffs in Week 16. That scenario is possible, and if it does happen, then the Lions would need to continue winning out while the Seahawks lose out for the playoff spots to flip.
It's incredibly unlikely for such a scenario to occur, but not leaving any doubt in Week 16 would be a nice way to end the regular season for the Seahawks.
Seattle is on the cusp of a playoff spot, and barring a wild collapse, Mike Macdonald and the revamped Seahawks should be punching their ticket to the NFL playoffs soon.
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