The final two weeks of the season provide the Seahawks with another opportunity to make the playoffs if they can win outalong with at least one loss from a couple other NFC teams that are also included in the tight race for Wild Card spots?. Week 17's home matchup against the 7-8 New York Jets gives both teams a chance to climb to .500. Here are some key things to know about this week's AFC opponent.

Sauce Gardner: Battle of the Rookies

In April, the Jets selected Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner with the fourth overall selection. Fast forward, and Gardner is in a head-on battle with Seahawks rookie corner Tariq Woolen for the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Already developing into one of the league's stingiest corners, Gardner leads the league in passes deflected with 16.

While the media and fans compare the stats of the two, Gardner has taken the discussion to new heights, subliminally calling out Woolen after surpassing him as top-rookie Pro Bowl vote getter at corner.

Woolen's days at wideout ended at the University of Texas-San Antonio two years ago after switching positions. The two won't face off against each other, but Gardner's potential matchup against Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf could make or break his DROY chances. 

Mike White: The Chosen One

Second-year quarterback Mike White has played just three games this season, but his return to the field has caused Seattle to become the underdogs at home. The Western Kentucky alum shocked the world in Week 11, throwing for three touchdowns in the Jets' 31-10 over the Chicago Bears.

White has missed the last two games with a rib injury, but is back in the starting role this week as the Jets look to snap a four-game losing streak.

Garrett Wilson: Head of State

While there's a battle of corners for defensive rookie of the year, Jets rookie Garrett Wilson is separating himself at the wideout position. Through 15 games, the Ohio State alum has caught 71 passes for 996 yards and 4 touchdowns.

In addition to being within reach of a 1,000-yard season, Wilson ranks second among all wideouts in forced missed tackles (18). Catching passes from four-different quarterbacks in year-one hasn't slowed down Wilson a bit. Seattle will look to prevent Wilson from recording his fourth 100-yard game.

C.J. Mosley: Captain in The Big Apple

Alabama alum and Jets Captain C.J. Mosley was named to his first Pro Bowl with the team last month, Through 15 games, Mosley has surpassed the 100-tackle mark for the sixth time in his career (142).

New York's field general also has 8.5 tackles for loss, six pass deflections, and interception and a sack. 

Jet's Injuries: WR Jeff Smith and CB Brandin Echols Ruled Out

While New York will get back safety Lamarcus Joyner (hip) and wideout Denzel Mims (concussion) for Week 17, they’ll be without wideout Jeff Smith (knee) and corner Brandin Echols (quad) per Coach Robert Saleh.

"Injuries -- Jeff is dealing with his knee still," Saleh said. "Jeff Smith, he's not going to practice. Neither is Echols -- he's still dealing with his quad. Everyone else is either on the limited or full-time basis, full participant."

Both Smith and Echols missed Week 16's 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.