Seahawks Storm Back, Seize Control of NFC Playoff Picture
The Seattle Seahawks are officially back in the postseason-and they’re not just sneaking in. With a dramatic comeback win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, Seattle now sits atop the NFC standings and holds the keys to a potential first-round bye. That’s right: with two games left in the regular season, the Seahawks control their own destiny.
Let’s set the stage. Heading into Week 16, Seattle and L.A. were tied at 11-3, locked in a fierce NFC West battle that’s been one of the most compelling storylines of the season. Thursday night’s clash was more than just a rivalry game-it was a high-stakes showdown with implications stretching across the entire NFC playoff landscape.
And early on, it looked like the Rams were going to take control. They built a 16-point lead, flexing the kind of dominance that’s made them a contender all season.
But the Seahawks didn’t flinch. Behind a resilient performance on both sides of the ball, Seattle clawed its way back and delivered a statement win-one that could reverberate all the way through January.
NFC Playoff Picture After Week 16
Here’s how the NFC playoff race stacks up following Seattle’s win:
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
- Chicago Bears (10-4)
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
- Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
- Detroit Lions (8-6)
- Carolina Panthers (7-7)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
- Minnesota Vikings (6-8)
- Atlanta Falcons (5-9)
- New Orleans Saints (4-10)
- Washington Commanders (4-10)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
- New York Giants (2-12)
With this win, the Seahawks not only clinch a playoff berth-they leapfrog the Rams and become the only NFC team with just three losses. That gives them the inside track for the No. 1 seed and the all-important first-round bye. And let’s be clear: in a conference this competitive, that bye could be the difference between a deep playoff run and an early exit.
But Seattle isn’t in the clear just yet. The Bears, Rams, and 49ers are still very much in the hunt, all within striking distance. The next two weeks will be a test of endurance, execution, and composure.
NFC West: A Heavyweight Fight
The NFC West has been a gauntlet all year. Here’s where things stand:
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
Seattle’s win vaults them back into first place in the division, but the race is far from over. The 49ers are still alive, and the Rams aren’t going away. With three teams in the mix and just two weeks left, the NFC West is shaping up to be the NFL’s most dramatic finish.
For Seattle, the path is simple: win out, and the division-and potentially the conference-belongs to them. Slip up, and they’ll need help.
The Road Ahead
The Seahawks close the regular season with two road games, both against teams fighting for playoff spots. First up is a trip to Charlotte to face the Panthers, who are clinging to postseason hopes at 7-7. Then comes a monster finale in San Francisco, where the 49ers could be playing for the division crown.
Every snap from here on out matters. But after Thursday night’s comeback, the Seahawks have momentum, confidence, and control. And in December, that’s a dangerous combination.
Seattle’s back in the dance-and they might just be the team no one wants to face.