UPDATE (12/22/18): With Washington's 25-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, the Seahawks can now clinch a playoff spot with a win on Sunday night over the Kansas City Chiefs. With Washington's defeat, Seattle could also clinch a playoff spot with a tie against the Chiefs as well as a Philadelphia Eagles loss or tie. The Eagles face the Houston Texans at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday, while the Seahawks kick off at 5:20 p.m. PT.
***
The Seahawks missed out on a chance to clinch a playoff berth in Week 15 by losing to the San Francisco 49ers, but they have another shot this week to secure their seventh postseason berth in nine seasons under Pete Carroll and John Schneider when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.
Unlike last week, the Seahawks won't clinch with a win alone, the reason being that a win over the 49ers would have improved Seattle's conference record, one of the tiebreakers should they finish the year tied with another NFC playoff hopeful, while a win this week over an AFC opponent would not change its conference record.
So here are the five ways the Seahawks can clinch this weekend:
- Seattle win and Washington loss or tie.
- Seattle win or tie and Minnesota loss.
- Seattle win and Seattle clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over Washington.
- Seattle win and Minnesota tie and Seattle clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over Minnesota.
- Seattle tie and Washington loss and Philadelphia loss or tie.
If you're wondering about the strength of victory tiebreaker, that comes into play if a tie can't be settled by head-to-head, conference record or record against common opponents. It's basically what it sounds like—a measurement of how strong a team's wins are based on the combined record of those teams they have beaten.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, have clinched a playoff berth, but they still have plenty to play for. Kansas City can clinch the AFC West and a first-round bye with a win and a Chargers loss, and can clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win and a Chargers loss and a Houston loss or tie, or with a win, a Chargers loss and a strength of victory tiebreaker over Houston.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 15 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks offensive lineman Jordan Roos boards the team's charter with his signature cowboy hat with an accompanying Western-themed bag.
Seahawks Shaquem Griffin, Jacob Martin and Emmanuel Ellerbee walk to the team's charter flight for the trip to face the 49ers.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr., head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider walk to the buses after arrival in San Jose for the game against the 49ers.
On game day, linebacker Bobby Wagner walked from the team hotel to the bus for the trip to Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson pauses to take a group selfie with a volleyball team in San Jose to play in a tournament.
This young 12 was attending his first Seahawks game.
Defensive end Jacob Martin signs an autograph prior to the game.
Seahawks George Fant, Russell Wilson, Germain Ifedi and Justin Britt wait for the team to be introduced during pregame introductions.
Running back Chris Carson stands at attention during the national anthem.
Linebacker Austin Calitro tackles 49ers receiver Kendrick Bourne during the first quarter.
Seahawks offensive tackle Duane Brown blocks and leads the way for running back Chris Carson during the first quarter.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin catches a five-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone for Seattle's first score.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles out of the pocket.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett executes a perfect toe-tap as he makes a falling catch along the sidelines in front offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, teammates and staff members.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson leaps for yardage.
Seattle special teams members Neiko Thorpe and Justin Coleman down a Michael Dickson punt inside the five yard line.
Seahawks defenders Bobby Wagner, Branden Jackson and Poona Ford combine to make a stop.
Seattle's Shaquill Griffin and Austin Calitro defend as 49ers receiver Kendrick Bourne goes airborne.
Seattle's Chris Carson races up the sideline for along gain as tackle Duane Brown leads the way.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin stretches and gets the ball over the goal line for his second touchdown of the game.
Seahawks receiver David Moore leapfrogs teammate Doug Baldwin after Baldwin's extraordinary second-effort touchdown in the second quarter.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett and Tre Madden review the previous drive on the sidelines.
12s were loud and visible as usual on the road in Santa Clara for the game against the 49ers.
This Seahawks Santa had his "nice" list ready in the stands at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson punts from deep in the Seattle end.
Seahawks defensive lineman Jarran Reed gets a hand on 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens, resulting in an incomplete pass.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer meet near the sideline during a break in the action.
Seattle's Russell Wilson pitches an option lateral to teammate Tyler Lockett.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett fights for the end zone but fall just short at the end of the third quarter.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson muscles his way to the goal line for a touchdown as the Seahawks faced fourth down.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin breaks up a pass in the third quarter.
Seattle's Delano Hill knocks away a pass intended for 49ers tight end George Kittle in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark hits 49ers quarterback Nick Mullen in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's Frank Clark keeps his hands away from Nick Mullen as they fall to the ground.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr., celebrates with the defense after forcing the 49ers to punt late in the game.
Seattle's Jarran Reed sacks San Francisco's Nick Mullens late in the game.
Seattle's Jarran Reed records his second sack of the game, bringing down 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens for the second time in the same drive late in the game.
Seahawks defenders Jacob Martin and Jarran Reed gallop in celebration of a sack in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford rubs his belly after a tackle for loss in overtime.
The Seahawks unsuccessfully try to get a hand on the 49ers game-winning field goal in overtime.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll walks off the rainy field at Levi's Stadium after the overtime defeat.
On board, linebackers Bobby Wagner and Austin Calitro chat before takeoff for the return flight to Seattle.
Seahawks fans were waiting in the rain to greet the team upon their return to Seattle.
