Seahawks Focused On 'Day-By-Day' Approach, Not Playoff Race, Following Dominant Win Over Vikings

The Seahawks improved to 9-3 and also got some help in the form of Panthers win over the Rams, but remain focused on the day-to-day process that got them to this point.

Nov 30, 2025 at 08:11 PM

John Boyle

Seahawks.com Senior Reporter

The good news for the Seahawks didn't begin when Ernest Jones IV returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown, or when Zach Charbonnet put the game on ice with a 17-yard touchdown run, or when the defense finished its relentless four-quarter effort with a shutout as the Seahawks beat the Vikings 26-0.

No, the positives began for the Seahawks even before Jason Myers kicked the ball off at 1:05 p.m., because prior to Seattle's Week 13 contest kicking off, the Carolina Panthers finished off a win over the Los Angeles Rams, handing the Seahawks' NFC West rivals their third loss of the season.

That means the Seahawks, who improved to 9-3 with Sunday's win, now control their own destiny with a home game still remaining against the Rams, who are also now 9-3.

With five games left to play, including one against the Rams and one against the 9-4 49ers, every game is going to be huge at this point, which is also why the Seahawks, while aware of the stakes, aren't focused on them.

"There's no tomorrow, there's no second chance," Jones said when asked about the "Death Zone" phrase he and others have used to describe the team's mindset. "We're in the death zone now, the NFC's jumping, it's popping, there's great teams all around. You've got to win these games."

But in order to give themselves the best chance to win these important games, starting with next weekend's game in Atlanta, the Seahawks know they can't look ahead and can't get away from the process that helped them get this far.

"For us, it's just day-by-day," said Jones, who had a team-high 12 tackles and two interceptions, one of which he returned 85 yards for a touchdown. "This team, the way we're wired right now, it's like, whoever's next, let's prepare for those. And when Sunday comes around, we just go out there and try to get the job done."

Veteran outside linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence, who had the pressure that led to Jones' pick six, as well as a sack and a forced fumble, had a similar answer when asked about the Rams' loss on Sunday.

"That don't even matter," he said. "We got to just continue to play our style of ball. Go out there week after week, 1-0. Don't look at what's down the road, just handle business, what's in front of us."

Lawrence was then asked about his teams' playoff outlook, and succinctly summed up the mentality of the defense that produced the team's first shutout since Week 3 of the 2015 season.

"I don't care," Lawrence said. "They line up—excuse my language—they get f---ed up."

But while the Seahawks won't take a step back in Week 13 to think about big-picture ramifications, not with five games left to play, they can appreciate what they were able to get done on Sunday, particularly on defense. Not only was Sunday's shutout the Seahawks' first in a decade, it was also the first time the Vikings had been shutout since Week 10 of the 2007 season, according to NFL Research, a streak of 294 straight games that was the third-longest active streak in the NFL entering Sunday.

"We're watching greatness," running back Kenneth Walker III said. "Our defense playing like that, we love it."

"The best in the world," added receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. "Happy to have those guys. From line to the linebackers to the DBs, they played a great game. They led us, and we're super happy to have the best defense in the world. It's awesome."

Lawrence, who spent 11 seasons with the Cowboys before signing with the Seahawks in free agency described this year as "rejuvenating" for him, and said this is the best defense he has been a part of, but one that can still improve.

"Yes," he said when asked if this is the best defense he's played on. "I mean that wholeheartedly, but I feel it's another level that we can reach. You all haven't seen the best of us, and we're going to capitalize on our opportunities."

But while the Seahawks are excited about what they got done on Sunday, and proud of their ability to shut out an opponent, they aren't focused on how highly regarded they can be.

"We're not worried about all that," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "We're just worried about playing our style of ball, playing for each other, making sure we do it every day, and then doing it on Sunday. It's like we're really not out to impress anybody or prove anybody wrong. We really don't care. Just trying to prove ourselves right, you know? Our guys are dedicated to doing that. It's a great group."