POLL: What do you think of the Seahawks’ playoff chances?

Seattle is playing tough, but to get into the postseason the Seahawks need to start winning games.

It was a familiar refrain for the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Once again the Seahawks faced a daunting foe.

Once again Seattle mounted a dramatic late comeback.

And once again the Seahawks fell short.

All of which leaves one still wondering whether this is a playoff-caliber team or not.

For the second straight week Seattle nearly pulled off the upset, driving into opposition territory with less than a minute remaining before falling to the Los Angeles Rams 36-31 on the road. The Seahawks came into the game as heavy underdogs, and Seattle seemed done when the Rams scored with 5 minutes, 55 seconds remaining immediately after a turnover to take a 12-point lead. But one thing the Seahawks have shown this season is fight, and Seattle fought itself to a touchdown, a defensive stop, and within reach of the end zone for the game-winning score in a road game against a team with just one loss.

This was eerily similar to the preceding week. At home against another team from Los Angeles with Super Bowl aspirations, the Chargers, the Seahawks appeared out of it when Russell Wilson threw a pick-six that gave L.A. a 25-10 lead with 6:44 remaining. Yet Seattle somehow rallied to score a TD, get a stop and drive all the way down to the Chargers’ 1-yard line with a chance to tie it with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion, only to fall short on the game’s final play in a 25-17 defeat against a daunting foe.

After that game I wrote about how the nature of the loss to the Chargers didn’t provide a lot of clarity on whether the Seahawks were a legitimate playoff-caliber team. I’m not sure the loss to the Rams does much to clear up the situation. Seattle was right there against a team many consider a favorite for the Super Bowl, and the Seahawks racked up an astounding 273 yards on the ground. But Seattle also put up little defensive resistance, allowing Los Angeles 456 yards of offense and 36 points, and ultimately came away from the game with nothing.

And that’s the concern. The NFL has reached the point of the season where moral victories don’t count for much. The back-to-back losses dropped the Seahawks to 4-5, and the path to the postseason looks tenuous.

According to the FiveThirtyEight.com, the Seahawks’ playoff odds are now at 28 percent. That’s down from 55 percent prior to the Chargers game. So these two losses, despite being close defeats to two teams almost guaranteed to get into the postseason, have dropped Seattle’s playoff hopes from better than 50-50 to about one-in-four.

The main issue is that the Seahawks are now 4.5 games behind the Rams in the NFC West, which means making the playoffs as the division champion is off the table. Therefore, Seattle has to make the postseason as a wild card team, and that’s no easy task. If we look at the years Pete Carroll has coached the Seahawks, just one NFC team has made the playoffs with a 9-7 record, that being the 2016 Detroit Lions. That means a team has to target at least 10 wins to believe it has a realistic chance at the postseason, meaning Seattle would have to go at least 6-1 over its final seven games.

Taking a look at Seattle’s schedule, that’s going to be a challenge regardless of whether the Seahawks are legitimately a playoff-caliber team or not. Seattle’s remaining schedule includes games one would expect the Seahawks to win: two games against San Francisco, a home game against Arizona. But the schedule also includes Thursday night’s home game against Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay (4-4-1 record), a tough trip to Carolina (6-3), a home game against playoff aspirant Minnesota (5-3-1) and a home game against AFC powerhouse Kansas City (9-1). To get to 10 wins Seattle needs to win at least three of those games.

It’s doable. The tough games are mostly at home, and the Seahawks have shown they can compete with tough teams. But can they get over the hump and actually with those games? Do they have what it takes to get into the postseason? What do you think of Seattle’s playoff chances?


Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Julius Miettinen listens to a coach during Kraken Development Camp on-ice session for forwards on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pair of Silvertips check status at Kraken Development Camp

Julius Miettinen hopes to take strides back in Everett, while Kaden Hammell turns pro.

Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with the team trident after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners overcome Perez to beat Royals

The Kansas City Royals found themselves in another close encounter against the… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh (29) of the Seattle Mariners bats during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Monday, June 30, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Cal Raleigh named AL Player of the Week

Major League Baseball announced today that catcher Cal Raleigh has… Continue reading

Moore: Ranking the all-time best Seattle sports radio shows

Sports radio shows in Seattle started in the 1970’s, typically at night,… Continue reading

Storm three games over .500 near the halfway point

Star forward Nneka Ogwumike was voted an All-Star starter Monday.

Seattle Storm's Sue Bird waves to the crowd after receiving a bouquet of flowers because she is playing in her last WNBA All-Star Game at Wintrust Arena on July 10, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Tribune News Services)
Seattle Storm to unveil Sue Bird statue honoringWNBA legend

The Seattle Storm announced on Wednesday that the franchise will honor the… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.