The Seattle Seahawks are left grappling with their bleak playoff scenario after the Los Angeles Rams managed to snag a narrow 13-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on December 28, 2024. With this defeat, the Seahawks’ chances of playoff glory appear to be dwindling as control of their fate slips away. The Rams' win, secured by Ahkello Witherspoon's stunning interception, not only clinches their fifth consecutive victory but also heightens the stakes for Seattle, which must now navigate multiple obstacles to keep its postseason hopes alive.
Rams receiver Puka Nacua had himself quite the night, accumulating 129 yards receiving, paired with running back Kyren Williams scoring the only touchdown of the game. Despite this, the game was hard-fought, showcasing defensive prowess as the Rams had to fend off the Cardinals, who were eager for redemption after their own disappointing season.
With just 37 seconds left on the clock, the Cardinals were tantalizingly close to seizing the lead, poised at the Rams’ 5-yard line. A near fateful pass from quarterback Kyler Murray took an unexpected turn, deflecting off teammate Trey McBride’s helmet only to land safely in the waiting hands of Witherspoon, who executed the game-ending interception with remarkable skill.
This moment proved to be extraordinarily disappointing for Seahawks fans, as some had been hoping for Arizona to rally and upend the Rams. After all, the Seahawks had desperately needed the Cardinals to win to keep any hopes of making the playoffs alive. Seattle, currently standing at 9-7, now finds itself needing miraculous help from other teams and the right outcomes from upcoming games.
After the Rams’ victory, the playoff picture has narrowed significantly. Now the Seahawks must not only overcome the Rams next week but also rely on other teams to win or lose favorably relative to their playoff aspirations. To put it plainly, Seattle needs to defeat the Rams next week and requires assistance from at least three of the following teams: the Minnesota Vikings over the Green Bay Packers, the Washington Commanders over the Atlanta Falcons, the Buffalo Bills over the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns over the Miami Dolphins, and the San Francisco 49ers over the Detroit Lions. Failure on any of these fronts and things could conclusively end for Seattle.
Even with Seattle's victory against the Rams next week, they face the harsh reality of the situation. Despite sharing the same record, if they end up tied with Los Angeles, the Rams hold the advantage due to their superior strength of victory (SOV). This tiebreaker has historically favored the Rams, which means the Seahawks will have to win decisively against the Rams and hope to see some favorable outcomes across the league.
The defeat marks yet another eventful chapter for Seattle this season. Head coach Mike Macdonald reflected on the struggle, stating, "If you're not in charge of your own destiny, you're always going to think of moments...to put yourself in position." His sentiments resonate, particularly as the coaching staff and players alike lament the games earlier this season they let slip away, including what might have been pivotal losses to teams they should have easily conquered.
Adding to this heartache, Macdonald was glued to his television watching all the action play out Saturday night. "I’m going to watch every snap. Yeah," he confirmed, showing the passion and commitment they’ll need to exhibit if they are to make any kind of miracle run.
This late-season chess game has left Seattle fans on edge, knowing their team's fate is no longer solely under their control. They can only hope and pray their required results materialize. With only one more regular-season game left to play, the Seahawks are painfully aware of the stakes, and now, they truly understand the bitter taste of reliance on the fortunes of others—a realization they would much rather sidestep. They have won more than enough games to earn respect, yet the specter of having to rely on other teams weighs heavily on their spirits.
With the playoffs looming, the Seahawks face not only the necessity of beating the Rams but also the psychological burden of knowing how much more they must rely on fate’s mercies as they prepare for the final game of the season. The outcome is far from certain, but for the Seahawks, maintaining focus amid the chaos is key. “But I do feel we probably wouldn’t have won some games as well or put ourselves in this situation if we didn’t learn, evolve, grow, stick together,” Macdonald said, encouraging resilience amid adversity.
Seattle's challenges encapsulate the fragility of success within the highly competitive NFL, where one week can shift the entire perception of accomplishment or failure. With the right combination of events, Seattle could keep their hopes alive or face another season of regret for missed opportunities and slight miscalculations. The clock is ticking for the Seahawks, and only time will reveal whether they can defy the odds and push forward toward the playoffs.