The Seahawks are still an hour away from playing in Arizona, but thanks to results that already happened this weekend, they’re playoff bound, and almost certainly in control of their own destiny for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
The Seahawks are guaranteed at least a Wild Card berth thanks to Philadelphia’s loss Saturday and Dallas’s win on Sunday, but they’re not going to be satisfied just getting to the postseason now that they can earn home field advantage. As was the case before this weekend, winning out and finishing 12-4 assures Seattle of at least the No. 2 seed and the bye that would come with that, but because Green Bay and Detroit both won Sunday, the Seahawks are now almost certain to be the top seed if they win their final two games. Since Green Bay and Detroit are both 11-4 and play each other next weekend, the Seahawks, if they went 12-4, would be the top seed unless the Packers and Lions tie, and Dallas wins its final game, setting up a two-way tie between the Cowboys and Seahawks. That’s the only tiebreaker Seattle doesn’t win because Dallas has the head-to-head edge, but in any three-way tie or a tie with just the Green Bay/Detroit winner, Seattle comes out on top.
The Seahawks getting back to the playoffs means they are postseason bound for the fourth time in five seasons since Pete Carroll and John Schneider took over, which is pretty impressive when you consider they inherited a team that went 9-23 over the previous two seasons before they were hired.
As for the inactives, no real surprises for Seattle, though both players who were questionable, Chris Matthews (hamstring) and Tony Moeaki (shoulder) are out.
Offensive lineman keavon Milton, who was promoted off the practice squad Saturday (TE RaShaun Allen was waived), is active to provide depth on the line with Max Unger and Russell Okung sidelined.
Seahawks inactives: WR Chris Matthews, C Max Unger, DT Travian Robertson, T Russell Okung, TE Tony Moeaki, DE Demarcus Dobbs.
Cardinals inactives: QB Drew Stanton, WR Brittan Golden, S Chris Clemons, G Jonathan Cooper, DT Alameda Ta’amu, G Anthony Steen, DE Kareem Martin.
And a few pregame links if you’re looking to kill some time:
My column in today’s Herald on the Seahawks’ success in prime time.
A good video feature on former Seahawks running back Justin Forsett, who is having a surprisingly great season in Baltimore.
Five matchups to watch from Seahawks.com.
USA Today on Arizona’s season hinging on a third-string quarterback.
Joel Corry, a former agent who now works on the media side of things as a cap expert, has some details on the new contracts signed by KJ Wright and Cliff Avril.
The salary cap numbers of Cliff Avril’s new contract years are: ‘15: $8M ‘16: $6.5M ‘17: $5.5M ‘18: $8M
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) December 21, 2014
The salary cap numbers of K.J. Wright’s new contract years are: ‘15: $4.75M ‘16: $6.25M ‘17: $6.8M ‘18: $8.2M
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) December 21, 2014
Seattle should have $18.77M of ‘15 cap space (with a $142M salary cap &top 51 counting) after Cliff Avril &K.J. Wright’s new deals.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) December 21, 2014
And just for fun, a clip from the tonight show that features the Seahawks.
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