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A closer look at how the Seahawks' NFC West rivals fared in Week 17 around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals (13-3)
The Result
The Cardinals dropped their regular-season finale against the playoff-bound Seahawks, falling 36-6 at Glendale's University of Phoenix Stadium to finish with the No. 2 seed in the NFC postseason picture.
What Happened
Carson Palmer was pulled at halftime with his team trailing 30-6, but the Arizona quarterback finished 12-of-25 for 129 yards, one touchdown, and one interception ... Drew Stanton was picked off by free safety Earl Thomas on his first series of the second half and again in the fourth quarter by cornerback DeShawn Shead, finishing the game 8-of-18 for 84 yards and the two interceptions ... The Cardinals rushed for just 27 yards, 25 from rookie David Johnson, who averaged 2.3 yards per carry ... Wideout Larry Fitzgerald hauled in Palmer's only touchdown, finishing with six grabs for 55 yards, both of which were team highs.
What's Next
As the No. 2 seed, the NFC West champion Cardinals await the highest-seeded winner to emerge from the wild-card round. That means Arizona could play host to the NFC North champion and No. 3-seeded Minnesota Vikings, who face the No. 6-seeded Seahawks this Sunday. Arizona could also wind up playing the NFC East champion and No. 4-seeded Washington Redskins or the No. 5-seeded Green Bay Packers, who matchup with one another after Sunday's Seahawks game.
St. Louis Rams (7-9)
The Result
The Rams had their three-game winning streak snapped, dropping a 19-16 overtime game against the NFC West rival 49ers, a defeat that solidified a fourth straight losing season under head coach Jeff Fisher.
What Happened
Defensive end Eugene Sims returned an interception 42 yards to help set up St. Louis' only touchdown of the day on a 4-yard run from running back Tre Mason, who finished with 18 carries for 44 yards ... Quarterback Case Keenum completed 22 of his 37 passes for 231 yards ... Wideout Kenny Britt led all St. Louis pass catchers with three grabs for 81 yards.
What's Next
Earlier this week, the Rams were one of three teams - along with the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers - to file for relocation to the Los Angeles area effective for the 2016 League year. St. Louis owns the No. 15 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
San Francisco 49ers (5-11)
The Result
The 49ers topped the division rival Rams, 19-16, in overtime at Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium.
What Happened
Phil Dawson's fourth field goal of the day came from 23 yards out in overtime and proved to be the game-winner, as San Francisco avoided finishing with its worst record since going 4-12 in 2005 ... Quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw for 354 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, with the scoring strike going to wideout Anquan Boldin, who finished with five catches for 71 yards ... Former Seattle running back DuJuan Harris ran 16 times for 67 yards and made eight grabs for 86 yards, both team highs.
What's Next
The Niners relieved first-year head coach Jim Tomsula of his duties after Sunday's win over the Rams. San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke is now tasked with finding the "right guy for the job," a search that Baalke said includes no in-house candidates. The 49ers hold the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Seahawks were all in for the final regular season matchup against NFC leaders, the Arizona Cardinals and team photographer Rod Mar captured the exclusive moments of the team's dominating performance.
The Seahawks buses left on Friday afternoon and were greeted by this small contingent of loyal fans near the VMAC.
Players, coaches and staff board the Delta charter headed for Phoenix on a late afternoon departure.
Defensive lineman Brandon Mebane walks up stairs to board the charter flight to Phoenix.
On Saturday, the team headed to its walk thru in Phoenix. Wide receiver Kasen Willams leaned between seats to talk to a teammate.
Quarterback Russell Wilson briefly huddles the offense at the start of walk thru. From left are Doug Baldwin, Christine Michael, Alvin Bailey, Justin Britt, Patrick Lewis and Mark Glowinski.
After the offense was finished with its' part of walk thru, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell consulted with his quarterback Russell Wilson and receiver Doug Baldwin.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, the defensive unit reviewed with defensive coordinator Kris Richard and linebackers coach Michael Barrow. From left are assistant coach Andre Curtis, Kam Chancellor, Bobby Wagner, Earl Thomas, Kelcie McCray, Richard Sherman and K.J. Wright.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who grew up in the Phoenix area, was chosen by head coach Pete Carroll to call the team up at the end of walk thru.
Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam slaps hands with young fans watching the team arrive back at the hotel after walk thru on Saturday.
On game day, tight end Cooper Helfet cooly made his way to the team buses for the ride from Phoenix to Glendale for the game.
Upon arrival at the stadium, the Seahawks were greeted by a number of the 12s who made their way to Arizona for the game.
Defensive linemen Brandon Mebane and Michael Bennett chat with Seahawks Ring of Honor member and former defensive end Jacob Green on the sidelines before the game.
Linebacker Brock Coyle smiles as his position group gathers on the field during early pregame warmups.
Seahawks receiver and return specialists Tyler Lockett "taps in" as he leaves the visitors locker room. Watching at right is special teams assistant Chad Morton.
After pregame warmups and in the moments before leaving the locker room for kickoff, linebacker Bobby Wagner reviews notes.
Brandon Mebane addresses the team just before the Seahawks took the field for the start of the game. At left is tight end Chase Coffman and next to Mebane is Michael Bennett.
Quarterback Russell Wilson prepares to lead the Seahawks onto the field before the regular season finale at Arizona against the Cardinals.
Running back Christine Michael focuses on the sidelines before kickoff.
Seattle's defense wasted no time establishing its dominance on Sunday, with K.J. Wright stopping Arizona's David Johnson for a one-yard gain on the opening drive.
The Cardinals offense challenged Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman early, but Sherman's defense on Michael Floyd resulted in an incomplete pass.
Christine Michael started at running back and raced up the right side for 45-yards on the Seahawks opening drive thanks to a block by starting guard Mark Glowinski.
Seahawks fullback Will Tukuafu rumbled into the end zone after catching a short pass from Russell Wilson for a touchdown. Sunday was also Tukuafu's birthday.
New tight end Chase Coffman scored his first TD as a Seahawks on a subsequent drive, taking an eight-yard pass from Russell Wilson and racing to the end zone untouched.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and tight ends coach Pat McPherson wait to greet Chase Coffman after his touchdown in the second quarter.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett evades Arizona punter Drew Butler on his way to a 42-yard return in the second quarter. Lockett set a Seahawks single-game record with 139 punt return yards during the win.
Another record setter on Sunday was quarterback Russell Wilson, who set two franchise records during the game -- high marks for passing yards (4,024) and passing touchdowns (34) in a single season.
Cornerback Richard Sherman waits for the ball to be snapped to Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer during the first half.
At halftime, quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Russell Wilson and quarterbacks coach Carl Smith reviewed plays and formations on a Surface tablet in the Seahawks locker room.
Head coach Pete Carroll watches over the shoulder of safety Earl Thomas as defensive coordinator Kris Richard gives halftime instructions.
Receiver Doug Baldwin addresses the team at the end of halftime just before the players returned to the field.
Seahawks running back Christine Michael finds running room after stiff-arming Arizona cornerback Justin Bethel.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson looks for yardage in the second half.
The Cardinals inserted backup quarterback Drew Stanton into the game in the second half, and Seattle's Michael Bennett pulled him down by the jersey resulting in an incomplete pass.
Safety Earl Thomas intercepted a pass by Arizona's Drew Stanton to kill a Cardinals drive in the third quarter.
Seattle kicker Steven Hauschka converted field goals of 52, 52 and 33 yards during the victory.
Seattle's Richard Sherman broke up another pass, this one intended for Arizona's John Brown.
On the Seattle sideline, veteran lineman Lemuel Jeanpierre went over plays with rookie linemen Will Pericek and Kristjian Sokol.
Head coach Pete Carroll smiles as he watched his team build a big lead against the Cardinals.
As is a common site at road games in Arizona, 12s showed out loud and proud and were unwavering in their support. Two Arizona employees cover their faces and turn away from the camera as hundreds of fans in the section behind them roar in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's DeShawn Shead leaps high to snag an interception from Arizona's John Brown in the fourth quarter as Seahawks fans show off a 12 flag in the end zone.
DeShawn Shead heads upfield with an interception as Steven Terrell and Brock Coyle join him.
DeShawn Shead and Marcus Burley celebrate Shead's interception.
Head coach Pete Carroll applauds his team's effort as 12s show their flags behind the Seahawks bench.
In the victorious visitor's locker room, Doug Baldwin and Russell Wilson congratulate each other.
Michael Bennett shows off his "Black Santa" to the team after the game. The small statue had a place on the team's sideline during the game.
Defensive lineman Michael Bennett does pushups in front of the team in the locker room after the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll smiles after accepting a game ball from Richard Sherman. The ball marked Carroll's 101st victory in the NFL.
Defensive end Michael Bennett leads the team in the now-traditional post-victory dance in the locker room.
Michael Bennett's "Black Santa" figurine takes its place in the victorious postgame breakdown.
Fullback Will Tukuafu video chats with his family after a victory on his birthday in which he also scored on a touchdown reception.
The Seahawks board their Delta charter for the flight back to Seattle. While the team was in the air, they learned their opponent in next week's wild-card game -- the Minnesota Vikings, on the road next Sunday.
