This 5 seed scenario isn’t too shabby either.

[SoulfishHawk]

What am I missing here? If we lose on Saturday and the Rams win out, wouldn't WE be the #6 seed and therefore have to go to Philly? I would think playing in Tampa Bay or Carolina instead of Philly would be motivation enough for the Rams to NOT rest guys.

Whoever loses our game goes down to the 6. AT Philly. Unless Detroit somehow knocks off the Bears. Then it would be Hawks or Niners AT Chicago.

 

[Ad Hawk]

Yeah just to be clear, Rams will defo be playing hard in remaining two games and won't be resting a huge raft of players as the advantage of being the 5 vs the 6 seed is pretty significant. The 5 gets to go Tampa/Carolina rather than Philly which is in itself a much more appealing proposition. Also, being ranked one seed higher, marginally improves your chances of hosting the NFC conference game. Seattle really have to win this game on Saturday, the difference between the 1 seed and getting the 6 seed and having to go Philly and then probably back to SF = huge.

I wonder if that possibility is more than marginal since it's likely that one of the teams from our division goes to the SB this year, even if that team (Rams? Hawks?) is a wildcard team.

 

[Dallashawksfan]

Considering the Rams are out of the hunt for the division I can see them resting players and losing a game. If they were still in the division hunt that wouldn’t happen. Right now I’m going with Coaches mantra of just win the game in front of us and see where the chips fall. The division matters most of all.

They have incentive for the easy #5

 

[DeSeahawk]

I haven't done the machine either. But I heard it was 1 with a win and 5 with a loss, because of our record. Will have to go try it again today.

EDIT: Just did the playoff machine, and with the Hawks lose, Clams win scenario, that puts us a the 6, AT Philly. Gross.

It also shows how tight the NFC is if we can drop from the 1 to the 6 with a single loss.

I'd rather get the 1 spot, but destroying Philly would be the best consolation prize ever !

 

[kidhawk]

They have incentive for the easy #5

If I’m a team playing wildcard weekend I don’t care about my opponent, only putting my best team on the field.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

I'd rather get the 1 spot, but destroying Philly would be the best consolation prize ever !

But who destroys Philly? They're the SB Champs and they play with a TON of heart. We can beat them, no doubt. But I wouldn't exactly be expecting some easy game.

 

[Dallashawksfan]

If I’m a team playing wildcard weekend I don’t care about my opponent, only putting my best team on the field.

Yes, the RAM should think that way

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Seahawk must beat Niner
Hoping the Lion beat the Bear
I doubt the Cardinal will beat the Ram
Calling it now, the Raven will beat the Steeler

 

[DeSeahawk]

Ravens winning would be great. Getting to see Rogers sad would be a nice start to the new year.

For some reason, Seattle has had a good history going against Philly. Not that history matters. But I really don't think they match up well against us this year. Their offense would have a tough day against our defense. I live in Eagles territory and beating them woukd make wearing a Hawks jersey here lots and lots of fun.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Sounds like Iggles fans are losing their minds. That team is really good, but man they are inconsistent.

 

[Followthelegion]

I wonder if that possibility is more than marginal since it's likely that one of the teams from our division goes to the SB this year, even if that team (Rams? Hawks?) is a wildcard team.

i had the same thought and almost deleted the word marginally...but I don't know, I still expect Rams to make the conference game whether they are the 5 or 6; but the 5 does make it easier. In my mind there are 4 teams that can't make the Superbowl this year from the NFC playoff field:
- Green Bay = too injury riddled and have the opposite of momentum with no Lambeau home field to help them
- San Fran = defense has too many holes, schedule has masked these problems with the offense able to feast. Let's see them versus a good defense on Saturday.
- Chicago = I'm not convinced this is a top tier team. They can run the ball effectively but beyond that, the defense can be had. Green Bay looked in complete control versus them a couple of weeks ago without Love and it took a miracle to beat them with an onside kick recovery and 4th down magic.
- NFC South winner = nothing further needed.

To me it comes down to Seattle, Rams and the Eagles. I only include the Eagles because their defense is elite and can still completely take over a game. Mitchell is essentially locking down one side of the field and the pass rush is firing again.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Look, nobody hates the 29ers more than I do, but do you HONESTLY think they can't make the Owl?

 

[DeSeahawk]

Gotta agree. SF is a tough team. They could do it. Cant see Green Bay or the south winner. I still think a team from our division goes to the bowl.

 

[HawkFreak]

Wait, I thought he was unbeatable, like the Rams?

Correct. MM is incapable - and will always be incapable - of hanging with McVay and Shanny's Supreme awesomeness. At least that's what I'm hearing.

 

[HawkFreak]

Look, nobody hates the 29ers more than I do, but do you HONESTLY think they can't make the Owl?

They COULD. But they WON'T. Because that would mean the Hawks DIDN'T. And that's a possibility I'm not willing to accept.

 

[Runscott]

The way I see it is the #5 seed is the least likely out of the three seeds we can get. It would require the Rams to lose one of their next two games and we lose next week. And the rams have a pretty easy schedule with the falcons and caedinals.

So to me it would be much preferal to the 6 seed but is a lot less likely imo.

"Anything that man tells me will be a lie. Therefore he will be a perfect reverse barometer."

 

[olyfan63]

Assuming the Hawks get the 1 seed after thrashing the Niners on Saturday, I don't see any team other than the Hawks or the Niners beating the Rams in the playoffs.
It could easily be an all-NFC-West NFC Championship Game.

I haven't studied the brackets, but I was hoping that the Rams loss to the Falcons makes it for sure any Rams-Hawks game in the playoffs will be at Lumen. I expect the Rams to beat whoever they play in the playoffs to get to the NFC Championship Game. The Niners are the only team I could see beating the Rams in the playoffs to keep them out of the NFC Championship.

 

[godawg]

Well, the Falcons gave us a present, but I don't want to use it. Losing to the Whiners on Saturday is not the path to the SB. We need to win on Saturday and every game thereafter. Time for payback.

 

[renofox]

Assuming the Hawks get the 1 seed after thrashing the Niners on Saturday, I don't see any team other than the Hawks or the Niners beating the Rams in the playoffs.
It could easily be an all-NFC-West NFC Championship Game.

I haven't studied the brackets, but I was hoping that the Rams loss to the Falcons makes it for sure any Rams-Hawks game in the playoffs will be at Lumen. I expect the Rams to beat whoever they play in the playoffs to get to the NFC Championship Game. The Niners are the only team I could see beating the Rams in the playoffs to keep them out of the NFC Championship.

There's a not insignificant chance of getting the bye, facing the 49ers in the Divisional, and then the Rams in the NFCCG.

That would actually be an ALL NFC WEST playoffs from the Seahawks perspective. I would love it!

 

[glenwo2]

Well, the Falcons gave us a present, but I don't want to use it. Losing to the Whiners on Saturday is not the path to the SB. We need to win on Saturday and every game thereafter. Time for payback.

Oh of course.

I don't want it either.

I want the Hawks to go into Levis, beat their ass, and make them humble.

But the idea that Rams fans now have to root for the Seahawks to WIN the 1 seed so their Rams avoid the Eagles in the first round is absolutely hilarious.