The Seahawks, winners of four straight and six of their last seven, moved into the No. 5 spot in the NFC playoff picture with a win over the Baltimore Ravens last week.
Up next on Seattle's schedule is a home game against the Cleveland Browns, and the Seahawks can actually clinch a spot in the postseason this Sunday depending on the outcome of that game and others around the rest of the League.
According to a bevy of Week 15 playoff scenarios released by the NFL office this past week, there are five ways in which the Seahawks can clinch a playoff spot this weekend.
Here are those five ways:
- A Seattle win against Cleveland, plus a New York Giants loss or tie against the Carolina Panthers, OR
- A Seattle win against Cleveland, plus a Washington Redskins loss or tie against the Buffalo Bills, OR
- A Seattle win against Cleveland, plus an Atlanta Falcons loss or tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars plus a Minnesota Vikings loss to the Chicago Bears plus a Green Bay Packers win or tie against the Oakland Raiders, OR
- A Seattle tie, plus an Atlanta loss or tie plus a New York Giants loss, OR
- A Seattle tie, plus an Atlanta loss or tie plus a Washington loss plus a Philadelphia Eagles loss or tie against the Arizona Cardinals
The Seahawks' playoff picture could also come into clearer focus based on how the Cardinals (11-2) perform this week.
There are three scenarios in which the Cardinals, who currently hold a three-game lead over the Seahawks with three games to play, could clinch the NFC West in Week 15, scenarios that would ensure the best the Seahawks could do is earn a wild-card spot in the postseason.
Arizona has already clinched a playoff spot, but here's how it can win the NFC West this week:
- An Arizona win or tie against Philadelphia, OR
- A Seattle loss or tie, OR
- Arizona clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over Seattle, which would happen if the Bengals and New Orleans Saints win and the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers lose.
The Cardinals also have a chance to clinch a first-round bye if they win and the Packers lose or tie, or if the Cardinals tie and the Packers lose.
Finally, here's a look at the Week 15 playoff scenarios for the rest of the NFC:
CAROLINA PANTHERS (at New York Giants, Sunday)
Carolina clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
1) CAR win + ARI loss or tie OR
2) CAR tie + ARI loss
GREEN BAY PACKERS (at Oakland, Sunday)
Green Bay clinches a playoff spot with:
1) GB win or tie OR
2) WAS loss or tie OR
3) NYG loss or tie
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (vs. Chicago, Sunday)
Minnesota clinches a playoff spot with:
1) MIN win + WAS loss or tie + ATL loss or tie OR
2) MIN win + WAS loss or tie + SEA loss or tie OR
3) MIN win + NYG loss or tie + ATL loss or tie OR
4) MIN win + NYG loss or tie + SEA loss or tie OR
5) MIN tie + ATL loss or tie + PHI loss or tie + WAS loss OR
6) MIN tie + ATL loss or tie + PHI loss or tie + NYG loss OR
7) MIN tie + ATL loss or tie + WAS loss or tie + NYG loss or tie (as long as WAS and NYG both don't tie)
Week 14 proved to be another successful business trip for the Seahawks and team photographer Rod Mar shares some of his favorite moments from the weekend, including Coach Carroll's viral photo atop of the team lockers postgame.
Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin represent their former college team, Pac-12 champion Stanford Cardinal on the way to the bus for the trip to Baltimore to face the Ravens.
Quarterback Russell Wilson steps off the Delta charter flight upon arrival in Baltimore late Friday evening.
The Seahawks were greeted with sunny and warm weather in Baltimore. Receiver Jermaine Kearse and defensive back walked to the buses for walk thru.
Quarterback Russell Wilson and quarterbacks coach Carl Smith review strategy while waiting for the start of walk thru at a local field near downtown Baltimore.
The mythical holiday of "Festivus" doesn't take place until December 23, but that didn't stop fullback Will Tukuafu and quarterback Russell Wilson from engaging in a "feat of strength" at walk thru. Each grabbed one and of a football and tried to wrestle form the other under the watchful eye of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.
Russell Wilson and Will Tukuafu engage of round two of their football gripping game during walk thru on Saturday.
Receiver Kevin Smith shows off his handstand skills as offensive lineman J.R. Sweezy does his best impression of kicker Steven Hauschka.
At a brief visit to M&T Stadium, site of the game, quarterback Russell Wilson tossed footballs outside of the locker room.
Richard Sherman, assistant coach Nate Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell chat as they walk onto the turf at M&T Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday morning, a bevy of fans waited outside of the team hotel to get a glimpse of the players and coaches boarding buses for the game.
Doug Baldwin and Richard Sherman head down an escalator to the buses while a fan sneaks a photo from behind a column.
Wide receivers Tyler Lockett, Kasen Williams, Douglas McNeill III and Antwan Goodley take reps during early pregame warmups.
Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, sporting his distinctive mouth guard, warms up before the game.
Linebacker Bruce Irvin lets out a yell during early pregame warmups with teammates Mike Morgan, Bobby Wagner and Eric Pinkins.
Quarterback Russell Wilson waits near a pile of footballs to make his throws during the early warmup period. Tight ends Luke Willson and Cooper Helfet are at far right.
Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor lead the defensive backs onto the field for pregame.
Richard Sherman fires up the defensive backs in their pregame huddle on the field at M&T Stadium.
Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam sits alone at his locker before taking the field to face the Ravens.
Earl Thomas folds his hands behind his back during the playing of the national anthem before kickoff.
Defensive end Michael Bennett lets out a yell after sacking Ravens quarterback Jimmy Clausen in the first quarter.
Running back Thomas Rawls takes off through a hole in the right side created in part by Garry Gilliam (79) and Patrick Lewis (65) during the first quarter. Rawls rushed for 44 yards on six carries before leaving with an injury.
Seahawks Doug Baldwin and Fred Jackson celebrate with teammate Tyler Lockett after Lockett scored Seattle's first touchdown of the game.
Seattle's defense was stingy once again, limiting the Ravens to 28 yards rushing. K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner, Kelcie McCray and Frank Clark combine to stop Baltimore's Javorius Allen.
Seahawks rookie receiver Tyler Lockett continued his fine play, leaping high to make a one-handed catch in front of Baltimore's Kyle Arrington in the second quarter.
Cornerback DeShawn Shead breaks up a pass intended for the Ravens' Chris Givens.
Michael Bennett doesn't let go of Baltimore's Javorius Allen and K.J. Wright finished the tackle.
Head coach Pete Carroll congratulates receiver Doug Baldwin after the first of Baldwin's three touchdowns on the day.
At halftime, defensive coordinator Kris Richard talks to his players with defensive line coach Travis Jones.
On the other side of the locker room, Tom Cable addressed the offense.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell consults with tight ends coach Pat McPherson and offensive assistant Will Harrier.
In another corner of the locker room, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Tarvaris Jackson listen to position coach Carl Smith.
Back on the field, Seattle's offensive line was getting it done in both the rushing and passing games. From left are center guard J.R. Sweezy, Patrick Lewis, fullback Will Tukuafu, guard Justin Britt and tackle Russell Okung.
Tight end Luke Willson leaps over a defender for a first down in the third quarter.
On the sidelines, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell checks in with receivers Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin.
Richard Sherman attempts to head upfield after intercepting a pass intended for Ravens receiver and former Seahawk Chris Matthews, but Matthew grabs him by the hair and doesn't let go.
Quarterback Russell Wilson found himself with plenty of space and time in the pocket once again, and turned that advantage into five touchdown passes which sets a team single-game record.
Jermaine Kearse heads up the sidelines with a 20-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Kearse had seven catches for 74 yards in the win.
Receiver Doug Baldwin points skyward after scoring his third touchdown of the game, this one on a 16-yard reception from quarterback Russell Wilson.
Receiver Doug Baldwin celebrates his third touchdown with tight end Cooper Helfet in the end zone.
Derrick Coleman sprints upfield for a 19-yard gain as teammates Cooper Helfet and Garry Gilliam seal off Baltimore defenders.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner is all smiles on the sidelines late in the 35-6 victory over the Ravens and once again the defense did not allow a touchdown.
After the game, former teammates Chris Matthews and Richard Sherman share a laugh. Earlier in the game, Matthews tackled Sherman after an interception by grabbing his braids.
In the Seahawks postgame locker room, Kam Chancellor chats with Richard Sherman and Russell Okung.
The visitors locker room in Baltimore is divided by a wall of lockers so Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll did the only thing he could in order to be seen by all the players -- he spoke to them from atop the lockers.
The Seahawks deplane their Delta charter flight in Seattle after winning their second consecutive road game.
