The Seattle Seahawks remain just on the outside looking in at the playoff race heading into Week 18’s slate of games. Last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers took away Seattle’s control over its own destiny, leaving it in need of help to qualify for the postseason. Still, a path remains for the franchise to earn its fifth playoff berth in the last six seasons.
With the assistance of the free PFN NFL Playoff Predictor, let’s examine the Seahawks’ playoff scenarios in the final week of the regular season.
Seahawks Playoff Chances | Week 18 Update
Note that this article was originally published on Jan. 7 before Sunday’s games began. The results of this week’s games are below and will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Despite beating the Cardinals on Sunday, the Seahawks have been eliminated from playoff contention following the Green Bay Packers’ victory over the Bears.
1 p.m. ET Games Update
Buccaneers (9-8) defeated Panthers (2-15)
Saints (9-8) defeated Falcons (7-10)
Lions (12-5) defeated Vikings (7-10)
4 p.m. ET Games Update
Packers (9-8) defeated Bears (7-10)
Rams (10-7) defeated 49ers (12-5)
Seahawks (9-8) defeated Cardinals (4-13)
Keep reading below to see the playoff scenarios for the Seahawks entering Week 18. And head over to PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor to test various scenarios and see how they change the playoff picture.
What Are the Seattle Seahawks’ Playoff Chances and Scenarios in Week 18?
Seattle has been out of the race for the NFC West title for some time, given the San Francisco 49ers’ strong showing throughout the season, but a Wild Card spot in the playoffs has remained within reach.
Based on simulations of PFN’s Playoff Predictor, the franchise has a roughly 39% chance of making it into the postseason.
MORE: Seattle Seahawks Depth Chart
The Seahawks have struggled to secure it, however, despite narrow wins over the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans bolstering their odds over the two weeks prior to their 30-23 loss to the Steelers. Losses in five of its last seven games quickly dropped Seattle from a 6-3 start and left it at risk of missing out on the postseason entirely.
Now, just two scenarios remain for the Seahawks to find their way into this year’s playoff bracket, including just one that is truly realistic.
Seattle can lock up a playoff berth with a win over the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers either losing to or tying with the Chicago Bears, a pair of outcomes that are certainly within the realm of possibility.
A Seahawks tie with Arizona would also open the door for two other possible qualification routes, each involving a Packers loss combined with either a loss or tie by one of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints.
A loss to the Cardinals, meanwhile, would definitively end Seattle’s postseason chances. Defeating a 4-12 team with little to play for might not look so tough on its face, but Arizona is fresh off an upset win over the Eagles and also took a surprising win over the Dallas Cowboys earlier this season.
If the Seahawks can find a way to pull that off and have Green Bay lose or tie, however, they would be assured of finishing as the NFC’s seventh seed. That would guarantee a wild card-round matchup with the No. 2 seed, which is likely to be either the Cowboys or Eagles but could also theoretically be the Detroit Lions.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!