How the Seattle Seahawks Can Make the Playoffs

As the 2023 NFL season enters the stretch run, the Seattle Seahawks (4-5) find themselves facing an uphill battle to make the playoffs. After a tough loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Seahawks’ playoff chances have plummeted to just 4%. With the season’s second half set to unfold, Seattle is left with few options if they want to remain in contention for a postseason berth. As the team prepares to face critical opponents over the next several weeks, it’s important to examine not only what the Seahawks need to do on the field but also what needs to happen around them in the league. Here’s how Seattle can still make the playoffs, what challenges lie ahead, and how their remaining schedule could either make or break their chances.

Understanding the Playoff Picture

The Seahawks’ road to the playoffs is now quite narrow, and their fate no longer lies entirely in their hands. The most recent loss to the Rams was particularly damaging, as it placed Seattle further behind in both the NFC West race and the NFC Wild Card standings. With only a 4% chance of making the playoffs, the Seahawks now find themselves in a must-win scenario for nearly every remaining game.

At 4-5, the Seahawks have a solid base to build upon but need a series of favorable outcomes to turn things around. With the current playoff structure in mind, it’s essential to focus on how the team can climb out of this hole. The NFC playoff picture, as it stands, is tight, with several teams competing for Wild Card spots. While the Seahawks’ fate is far from sealed, they will need to string together multiple victories and get some help from other teams.

Key Games and Critical Outcomes

Seattle’s playoff hopes largely depend on their ability to win out or at least win a majority of their remaining games. The Seahawks’ remaining schedule features some tough opponents, but they also have a few winnable matchups that could allow them to stay in the hunt. To realistically make the playoffs, the Seahawks will likely need to finish with at least 10 wins, meaning they would have to go 6-1 or better in their final seven games.

Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers (2% Chance of Win)

The first major hurdle the Seahawks face in their playoff push comes in Week 11 with a road game against the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the 49ers suffering some recent losses, they are still one of the top teams in the NFC and present a daunting challenge for Seattle. Given their struggles on the road and the sheer firepower of San Francisco’s offense, this game is arguably one of the hardest remaining on the Seahawks’ schedule.

A win here, though, would be massive for Seattle’s playoff chances. A victory over the 49ers would not only improve their standing in the Wild Card race but also give them a much-needed boost in terms of tiebreakers, should they finish the season with a similar record to other teams in contention.

Week 12: vs. Arizona Cardinals (7% Chance of Win)

A home game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12 is an opportunity for Seattle to get back on track. Arizona has been inconsistent this season, and while the Cardinals have shown flashes of competitiveness, they remain one of the most vulnerable teams in the NFC West. Seattle must win this game if they are to have any chance of making the playoffs. A loss would all but doom their chances, especially given the limited number of opportunities left.

Week 13: at New York Jets (8% Chance of Win)

The Seahawks will face the New York Jets in Week 13, and while the Jets have a solid defense, their offense has struggled throughout the season. If Geno Smith and the offense can capitalize on some of the Jets’ vulnerabilities, Seattle could come away with a much-needed victory. The Jets are currently in the playoff hunt themselves, but their lack of offensive firepower could be the Seahawks’ key to victory. With the Jets’ defense being their strength, it will be important for the Seahawks to stay balanced and avoid costly turnovers.

Week 14: at Arizona Cardinals (9% Chance of Win)

The Seahawks face the Cardinals for a second time in 2023 in Week 14, this time on the road. Given that Arizona has proven to be one of the weaker teams in the NFC, Seattle will need to take advantage of this matchup. A sweep of Arizona could be essential for Seattle’s playoff chances, as they look to stack wins within the division.

Week 15: vs. Green Bay Packers (8% Chance of Win)

In Week 15, the Seahawks will host the Green Bay Packers, a team that has also been up and down this season. Green Bay’s struggles on offense, particularly with rookie quarterback Jordan Love, give Seattle a good shot at coming away with the win. If the Seahawks can neutralize the Packers’ running game and force Love into making mistakes, they can emerge victorious. This game is important for Seattle not only because of the playoff implications but also because it will provide the opportunity to gain ground against another NFC team in contention.

Week 16: vs. Minnesota Vikings (7% Chance of Win)

The Vikings have become a much stronger team since the start of the season, thanks in large part to quarterback Kirk Cousins’ resurgence and their improving defense. However, they are still a team that is vulnerable to defeat on the road, and Seattle must take advantage of this. If the Seahawks can contain Justin Jefferson and disrupt the Vikings’ offensive rhythm, they could secure a vital win at home.

Week 17: at Chicago Bears (7% Chance of Win)

By Week 17, the Bears may have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but they are still a team that has proven capable of surprising opponents. The Seahawks will need to be cautious, as Chicago’s defense can cause problems for teams that take them lightly. Seattle must ensure they stay focused, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where they will need to limit the Bears’ running game and rookie quarterback Justin Fields’ ability to make plays with his legs.

Week 18: at Los Angeles Rams (9% Chance of Win)

In the final game of the season, the Seahawks will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams. By this time, the Rams may either be in playoff contention or already eliminated, making this a high-stakes game for both teams. The Seahawks will need to play with intensity, as the Rams are capable of putting up big numbers with quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Seattle’s defense will have to be at its best to slow down the Rams’ offense, while Geno Smith and the offense must capitalize on every opportunity.

What Needs to Happen Around the League

Even if the Seahawks manage to win the majority of their remaining games, their playoff hopes depend on what happens with other teams in the NFC. Seattle is currently fighting for a Wild Card spot, but there are multiple other teams in the mix, including the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints. For the Seahawks to have a chance, they will need several things to fall in their favor, including:

1. Other NFC Teams Must Lose: Seattle’s playoff chances will increase if teams like the Packers, Vikings, and Saints suffer losses. If Seattle can finish the season strong and some of these teams lose games they should win, the Seahawks can potentially slip into the Wild Card race.
2. Tiebreaker Scenarios: If Seattle finishes with the same record as other teams, they will need to secure as many head-to-head tiebreakers as possible. Beating teams like the Packers, Vikings, and Cardinals will be crucial in this regard.
3. NFC East Teams Falling Off: The NFC East (Eagles, Cowboys, Commanders, Giants) is a competitive division, and Seattle’s playoff hopes would be buoyed if teams like the Washington Commanders or New York Giants drop a few games and fall behind in the race for Wild Card spots.

The Bottom Line

Seattle’s playoff hopes are slim, but not entirely gone. The team needs to win as many games as possible in the coming weeks, with their upcoming matchups against Arizona, Green Bay, and the Rams standing out as must-wins. If the Seahawks can handle their business and pick up some key victories, there is still a pathway to the postseason. However, Seattle will need help from other teams around the NFC and must ensure they take care of business in their head-to-head matchups with Wild Card contenders.

In the end, the 2023 season may very well come down to a few critical games where Seattle must be at its best—fighting for every yard, every point, and every chance to extend their season. The time for hope is running out, but if the Seahawks catch fire over these next several weeks, a playoff berth might still be in reach.