The Seattle Seahawks, under new head coach Mike Macdonald, began the season with three consecutive victories but faced a rough patch, losing five of their next six games. However, the team has turned things around, winning four straight games to claim the top spot in the competitive NFC West.
After defeating divisional rival Arizona 30-18 on Sunday, left guard Laken Tomlinson declared, “We’re in playoff mode, man,” as celebrations erupted in the locker room. The Seahawks have now won their last seven matchups against the Cardinals, including a 16-6 victory on November 24 at Lumen Field. These recent wins give Seattle the tiebreaker advantage in a tightly contested division, where all four teams are in playoff contention.
The Los Angeles Rams (7-6) are just one game behind the Seahawks in the NFC West race, following a thrilling 44-42 win over the Buffalo Bills. Seattle has one remaining divisional game, set for January 5 against the Rams at SoFi Stadium, where they previously lost 26-20 in overtime earlier this season.
Before that crucial matchup, the Seahawks will face three more games, starting with two home games against the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings, followed by a December 26 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The Packers (9-4) have struggled recently, dropping to 1-3 in the NFC North after a 34-31 loss to Detroit on Thursday.
“Every game’s a championship game, and if you really take that approach then when you get to the big game it won’t feel different,” said Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, emphasizing the team’s playoff mindset. “I think we’re developing it as a team, and I think the mindset is what’s really setting us apart right now.”
Strong Defensive Performance
The Seahawks’ defense played a crucial role in their victory over Arizona, with Ernest Jones IV and Coby Bryant each recording interceptions that led to touchdowns in the first half. While this year’s secondary may not match the legendary Legion of Boom, it has shown significant improvement. Bryant, who had a pick-six in an earlier game against the Cardinals, leads the team with three interceptions this season. Overall, the Seahawks have recorded 11 interceptions.
“You need those guys, so he’s playing at a high level right now, and we’re communicating really well. I’m really happy for Coby because he’s worked extremely hard to prepare himself,” Macdonald said.
Offensive Challenges Remain
Despite their success, the Seahawks are still looking to establish a stronger offensive rhythm. They have not scored a touchdown on their opening drive in the last 17 games, with Sunday’s opening series resulting in a 20-yard field goal by Jason Myers.
Emerging Stars
While many expected the Seahawks to rely heavily on Geno Smith’s passing game against Arizona, running back Zach Charbonnet stepped up with a career-high 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns, contributing to a season-best total of 176 rushing yards. Kenneth Walker II, the team’s leading rusher, was sidelined due to an ankle/calf injury, but Smith expressed confidence in Charbonnet’s abilities.
“Zach’s always been a great player. We know what Zach can do. Obviously, we love Ken and we wish him a speedy recovery, but Zach’s one of our guys,” Smith said.
Injury Updates
Walker was one of seven inactive players against the Cardinals due to injury. He has rushed for a team-high 542 yards and seven touchdowns this season. After the game, Macdonald was uncertain about Walker’s return, stating, “We’ll work through it, but we’re not sure.”
Key Statistics
With their latest victory, the Seahawks improved to 5-1 on the road this season. While this record is not the best in the NFC — the Eagles and Lions each have six road wins — it is a notable achievement for Seattle, which has not finished with a winning road record since the 2020-21 season.
Looking Ahead
The Seahawks will host the Green Bay Packers next Sunday night as they continue their pursuit of a playoff spot.
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