Seahawks make the playoffs if…
1. They win out to finish 10-6. In this case, Seattle would lock up the NFC’s fifth seed.
2. They finish 9-7 with a win over the Arizona Cardinals. This is where Seattle’s Week 14 win over the Minnesota Vikings comes into play. The Seahawks would have the fifth seed if the Vikings lose one of their final two games and the sixth seed if the Vikings win out. In that case, the six losses and one tie in the Vikings’ 9-6-1 record would be better than the Seahawks’ seven losses.
In the scenarios listed above, the Seahawks are in the driver’s seat. As far as qualifying for the playoffs goes, it wouldn’t matter how other teams perform over the next two weeks.
In each of the following scenarios, however, the Seahawks would need a little help from the rest of the league.
If the Seahawks finish 9-7, but lose to the Cardinals…
Seattle would need either Minnesota or Washington to lose a game.
The Seahawks’ playoff odds will be at 99 percent if they win Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs (11-3). But unlike a win over the Cardinals, a win against the Chiefs won’t guarantee Seattle a trip to the playoffs. That’s because Washington (7-7) could still finish with the same record if it wins out, and the Seahawks are not assured of winning a tiebreaker against Washington.
The Vikings will finish 9-6-1 if they win out and would take the fifth seed because a tie is better than a loss. Washington and Seattle would face a series of tiebreakers if both finish 9-7. Because of the variables here, listed below, FiveThirtyEight’s playoff predictor does not give Seattle a 100 percent chance.
Possible tiebreakers (in order)
Head-to-head, if applicable.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
Strength of victory.
Strength of schedule.
Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best net points in conference games.
Best net points in all games.
Best net touchdowns in all games.
Coin toss.
If the Seahawks finish 8-8…
Obviously this is the worst-case scenario for the Seahawks. If Seattle loses to both the Chiefs and the Cardinals, it will need a combination of three of the following conditions to make the postseason:
• 1 loss by Washington
• 1 loss by the Eagles
• 2 losses by the Panthers
• 2 losses by the Vikings
http://sports.mynorthwest.com/561819/ho ... scenarios/