The Seahawks continue to keep their playoff hopes, sitting atop the NFC West after beating the New York Jets on Sunday. The win wasn’t pretty, but they got the job done in the end. Despite their three-game win streak, questions remain about Seattle’s consistency and ability to compete in the playoffs (if they make the playoffs). With the Cardinals looming this week and a tough schedule ahead, can the Seahawks maintain their playoff position?
The Seattle Seahawks Controls Its Destiny to the Playoffs
The Seahawks’ season has been anything but predictable. Starting with three straight wins, followed by a mid-season slump where they lost five of six and now riding another three-game winning streak, their performance has been all over the place. Seattle’s recent win over the Jets was symbolic of their season. The Seahawks escaped with a victory but committed costly penalties and turnovers. Throwing five times inside the four-yard line highlights the offense’s inefficiency.
The special teams unit has also been a disaster, with fans calling for coordinator Jay Harbaugh’s firing after repeated blunders, including two muffed kickoffs by Laviska Shenault Jr. against New York—who has since been waived—and another fumbled kickoff by Dee Williams which set up the Jets for a touchdown.
If there is one consistent bright spot, it’s been the defense. More specifically, defensive lineman Leonard Williams has made a tremendous impact for Seattle. Over the past two games, Williams has been unstoppable, racking up 10 tackles, 4.5 sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown, and even blocking a kick.
The Seahawks’ defense as a whole has significantly improved throughout the season, going from the 29th-ranked defense in rush yards allowed to 22nd. Trading for linebacker Ernest Jones IV has also proved to be valuable, as the unit as a whole has kept the Seahawks afloat.
What Will it Take for the Seahawks to Succeed?
The Seahawks face the Cardinals this week, the second meeting in three weeks, before challenging matchups against the Vikings and Packers. Meanwhile, the NFC West remains tightly contested, with the Cardinals benefiting from a lighter schedule going forward, the Rams surging and the 49ers faltering. Right now offensive line coach Scott Huff and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb are bearing the majority of the criticism. Without improvement in the trenches and red-zone efficiency, it’s hard to envision success in the postseason.
Seahawks were running the ball well on their 3Q drive that ultimately stalled in the red zone. Jets tightened up on the goal line, tho.
Here’s the first run: 2nd-and-goal from the 4. pic.twitter.com/H5LEMJi9ZV
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) December 3, 2024
Currently third in the NFC playoff rankings, the Seahawks seem poised to make the postseason. However, their path there is still unclear. They have two games remaining against the 10-2 Vikings and the 9-3 Packers, two remaining against divisional matchups and one game in Chicago. When it comes to teams currently in the playoffs, the Falcons are likely their most beatable opponent. However, Seattle will need to address their shortcomings quickly for potential matchups against teams like the Lions, Eagles and Commanders.
Seattle has been a team of contradictions this season—brilliant one week and then baffling the next. As the playoffs near, Seattle’s destiny hinges on their ability to clean up mistakes, find offensive consistency, and lean on defensive stars like Williams. Whether that’s enough remains to be seen, but for now the Seahawks control their fate.
Main Photo Courtesy of Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images
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