On Thursday, December 18, the Seattle Seahawks have what’s obviously one of the most important games of the Mike Macdonald era. The Hawks, with their record of 11-3, will take on the Los Angeles Rams, who also have a 11-3, and the outcome will determine the future of both teams’ seasons.
Now that the NFL’s Week 15 games have almost complete wrapped up, the postseason picture is clearer, and it makes it obvious that Thursday’s game is a huge one for Seattle. Following the outcome of the Seahawks and Rams’ games on Sunday, it’s becoming obvious that there are two heavyweights in the NFC West and NFC, overall, and it’s these two teams.
“I’ll tell you what, our guys just fought tooth and nail to the absolute end and wins in this league come in all different shapes and sizes and great teams figure out a way to win games,” Macdonald said following the Seahawks’ 18-26 win over the Colts on Sunday, December 14. “That’s what we’re trying to be, so I’m proud of our effort.”
“He added, “Man, we are mentally tough. We stuck together. There is plenty we want to work on and improve, but the way we closed that game out was just phenomenal just in terms of the fight.”
The Implications of Thursday’s Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams Game
So, Thursday’s game couldn’t be more dramatic. Here’s what’s at stake.
The Week 16 Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams game will decide the NFC West title and NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. Both the Seahwaks and Rams have an 11-3 record, and whoever wins will likely get that coveted bye-week and home-field advantage during the playoffs.
If the Rams win, they’ll sweep the season series and hold the tiebreaker. They’ll also be first place in the division and conference, and they’ll only have to get one more win in their final two games to get the NFC West title and likely the No. 1 seed overall.
If the Seahawks win, that will split the series, making other factors the tiebreaker. The win would increase their chances of getting the top seed, bye and home-field advantage during the playoffs.
“11-3 Rams vs. 11-3 Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday Night Football,” notes Arash Markazi of The Sporting Tribune in a post on X on Monday, December 15. “The winner will be in sole possession of first place in the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Just a massive, massive game in Seattle.”
The Playoff Picture As It Stands Now
According to NFL research, following the Seahawks’ win over the Colts, Seattle has better than a 99% chance of making the postseason. That’s before they even take the field on Thursday.
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