Seattle Seahawks Surge into Week 15: Playoff Bound, But Eyeing More Than Just a Wild Card
Back in September, the Seattle Seahawks were a question mark. Geno Smith and DK Metcalf were gone, and the team had just handed a significant contract to Sam Darnold-who, let’s be honest, was still trying to shake off years of inconsistency despite a solid season in Minnesota.
The move raised eyebrows. But now, in mid-December, it’s clear: head coach Mike Macdonald wasn’t guessing.
He had a plan.
And that plan? It’s working.
At 10-3 heading into Week 15, Seattle isn’t just in the playoff conversation-they’re in the thick of the NFC West title race. The defense is playing lights-out, ranked top-three league-wide, and the offense has found its rhythm, thanks in large part to the breakout campaign of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The second-year wideout is putting together a season that could end up in the record books if he keeps this pace.
The Seahawks are rolling, but the job’s far from finished.
The Playoff Picture: Seattle in Prime Position
Let’s talk postseason. The Seahawks have done the heavy lifting to get themselves here, and the numbers back it up.
According to Next Gen Stats, Seattle has a 98% chance of making the playoffs heading into Week 15-the highest probability among all current Wild Card teams. A win this weekend against the Colts bumps that to 99%.
Even with a loss, they’d still sit at a comfortable 93%.
So no, the real question isn’t whether Seattle gets in. Barring a collapse, they’re in.
The real question is whether they can leapfrog the Rams and win the NFC West, which would mean a first-round bye and home-field advantage. That’s the kind of postseason edge that can change everything.
Here’s where things stand in the NFC:
NFC Playoff Seeds (Entering Week 15): 1.
Los Angeles Rams (10-3)
2.
Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)
3.
Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)
4.
Carolina Panthers (7-6)
5.
Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
6.
San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
7.
Chicago Bears (9-4)
In the Hunt:
8.
Detroit Lions (8-5)
9.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
10.
Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
Seattle’s sitting at the top of the Wild Card pile, but they’re neck-and-neck with the Rams, and the 49ers are right behind them. The NFC West is a gauntlet-three teams with at least nine wins and all currently in playoff position. No other division in football can say that.
The NFC West: A Three-Team Race
The Rams and Seahawks share identical 10-3 records, while the 49ers trail just behind at 9-4. And while Seattle has done more than enough to be leading most divisions, the West isn’t most divisions. This is a playoff-level battle every week, and it’s going to come down to the wire.
NFC West Standings (Through Week 14):
- Los Angeles Rams: 10-3
- Seattle Seahawks: 10-3
- San Francisco 49ers: 9-4
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-10
The Seahawks aren’t just fighting for a playoff spot-they’re in a three-way race for the division crown. That’s what makes these next few weeks so critical.
The Road Ahead: No Easy Outs
Seattle’s remaining schedule? Brutal.
Every team left on the slate is currently in playoff position. There are no freebies, no breathers, and no room for error.
Seahawks Remaining Schedule:
- **Week 16: vs.
Rams**
- Week 17: at Panthers
- Week 18: at 49ers
Week 16 is a head-to-head showdown with the Rams that could decide the division. Week 18 in San Francisco might end up being a de facto playoff game.
And that Week 17 trip to Carolina? It’s got trap game written all over it, especially if the Panthers are still clawing for playoff position themselves.
Seattle has the firepower to run the table, but they’ll need to be sharp. The defense has been elite, and Darnold has done more than just manage games-he’s made plays.
But the margin for error is razor-thin. One slip could be the difference between a home game in January or a road trip across the country.
Bottom Line
The Seahawks have already outperformed expectations. They’ve retooled on the fly, leaned into a new identity under Macdonald, and now find themselves in a position to do more than just make the playoffs. They’re hunting for a division title-and maybe more.
But the final stretch will test everything: depth, focus, and resilience. The NFC West is unforgiving, and the path to the top is narrow. If Seattle wants to host a playoff game in January, they’ll need to earn it the hard way.
And based on what we’ve seen so far? Don’t count them out.