Earlier this week, the NFL outlined five ways the Seahawks can clinch a playoff spot this weekend, and the first of those five scenarios required a Seahawks win on Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs combined with a Washington loss or tie against the Tennessee Titans.
Well, with Washington falling 25-16 to the Titans on Saturday, the Seahawks can now secure a postseason berth if they beat the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football at CenturyLink Field.
Washington's loss opens up another potential, albeit less likely, path to the playoffs for Seattle. A Seahawks tie against the Chiefs coupled with Washington's loss as well as a loss or tie by the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend would also get the Seahawks to the playoffs for the seventh time in nine seasons under head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider. The Eagles face the Houston Texans at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday, while the Seahawks kick off at 5:20 p.m. PT.
Here's another look at the five ways the Seahawks could clinch a playoff spot this weekend:
- Seattle win and Washington loss or tie.
- Seattle win or tie and Minnesota loss.
- Seattle win and Seattle clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over Washington.
- Seattle win and Minnesota tie and Seattle clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over Minnesota.
- Seattle tie and Washington loss and Philadelphia loss or tie.
The Seahawks and Chiefs will meet for the 52nd time in the regular season this Sunday at CenturyLink Field. Take a look back at photos from past games played between the two teams.
Seattle Seahawks' John Sawyer, left, and Kansas City Chiefs' Jimbo Elrod, right, roll after the ball fumbled by Sawyer during the first quarter of their game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 11, 1977. (AP Photo/John Filo)
Quarterback Todd Blackledge (14) of the Kansas City Chiefs, is grabbed by Jacob Green (79) of the Seattle Seahawks and sacked for a four-yard loss during the second quarter of their NFL game, Sept. 14, 1986. Also rushing Blackledge is Joe Nash (72) of the Seahawks. Seattle beat Kansas City 23-17. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Quarterback Todd Blackledge, right, of the Kansas City Chiefs, is sacked for a seven-yard loss by linebacker Brian Bosworth, left, of the Seattle Seahawks, during the third quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Wash., Sept. 20, 1987. Seattle beat Kansas City 43-14. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle's David Wyman (92) brings down Kansas City's Christian Okoye (35) during the second half of Sunday, Oct. 8, 1989 NFL game in Seattle. The Chiefs won 20-16.(AP Photo/Billchan)
Running back Barry Word (23) of the Kansas City Chiefs runs past Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks for three of his 85 yards during the third quarter of NFL game in Seattle, Nov. 23, 1992. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Kansas City Chiefs' running back Marcus Allen (32) manages to move the ball past the goal line for a first-quarter, one-yard touchdown in Seattle against the Seattle Seahawks, Dec. 5, 1993. Helping block for Allen is teammate Ernie Thompson (45). The Chiefs beat the Seahawks, 31-16. (AP Photo/Dick Downey)
Seattle Seahawks fullback Steve Smith (35) heads into the end zone for a fourth quarter touchdown behind a block by teammate Howard Ballard (75) on Nov. 27, 1994 in Seattle against the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Richard Downey)
Kansas City Chiefs Marcus Allen, left, (32) is hit by Seattle Seahawks Robert Blackmon (25) after 10-yard run in the first quarter at the Kingdome, Sunday, Sept. 3, 1995, Seattle, Wash. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
The ball is just out of reach for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Pritchard during the first quarter Thursday, Oct. 17, 1996, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jerome Woods is a couple of steps behind on the incomplete pass play. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Pete Stoyanovich (10) kicks the game winning field goal over Seattle Seahawks defender Chad Brown (94) in overtime Sunday, Sept. 28, 1997, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs beat the Seahawks 20-17. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Seattle Seahawks Darrin Smith (59) high steps it into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter of their game against Kansas City Sunday, Nov. 8, 1998 in Seattle. Smith intercepted a Elvis Grbac pass and ran it back 26 yards for the score. (AP Photo/Rick Giase)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jon Kitna throws a touchdown pass to Derrick Mays under pressure from Kansas City Chiefs' Eric Hicks (98) and Chester McGlockton (75) as Seahawks' Brian Habib (68) looks on during the second quarter in Seattle on Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999. The Seahawks won 23-14. (AP Photo/Matt Wallis)
Seattle Seahawks' Christian Fauria runs ahead of Kansas City Chiefs' Donnie Edwards after catching a pass in the third quarter in Seattle on Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999. (AP Photo/Lauren McFalls)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander leaps into the end zone for a touchdown on a 3-yard run past Kansas City Chiefs defender Ray Crockett in the second quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2002. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch (83) is pushed out of bounds by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Lenny Walls (35) just short of the goal line late in the third quarter of their football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Seattle Seahawks Chris Baker drives across the end zone to score a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs Kendrick Lewis in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in action against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks center Max Unger (60) faces the Kansas City Chiefs line, in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) carries the ball past Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker James-Michael Johnson (52) in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
