Last Thursday night, the Seahawks clinched the division with a 24-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. This past weekend, Seattle moved back into the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture after watching the Detroit Lions fall to the New York Giants.
The Seahawks can hold that No. 2 playoff spot, which ensures a first-round bye, by winning their final two regular-season games against the NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. On Tuesday afternoon, the NFL offered a look at another scenario that would allow the Seahawks to clinch a first-round bye as soon as Week 16.
The Seahawks will clinch a first-round playoff bye in Week 16 if the following plays out:
Seattle win + Detroit loss + Atlanta loss or tie.
The Seahawks host the Cardinals on Christmas Eve at CenturyLink Field, while the Atlanta Falcons will play the Carolina Panthers earlier that day. The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, don't play until Monday, December 26 against the Dallas Cowboys, who can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win or tie, or with a New York Giants loss or tie. The No. 1 seed is out of reach for the Seahawks, as it will go to either the Cowboys or the Giants, whichever team wins the NFC East.
NFL.com has an extended look at the playoff race in each conference, which you can check out right here.
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seahawks' Week 15 win over the Los Angeles Rams, a game that saw Seattle debut its Action Green Color Rush uniforms at CenturyLink Field.
Bobby Wagner arrives at CenturyLink Field trailed by the Thursday Night Football camera crew before the game.
Germain Ifedi stretches on the field before the start of the game.
Marcel Reece finds a moment of quiet in the locker room before the start of the game.
Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman examine their action green cleats in the locker room.
Jimmy Graham studies his final notes in the locker room before the start of the game.
Russell Wilson signs autographs for fans before the game.
Jermaine Kearse talks with Tyler Lockett during warm-ups.
Steve Largent presents the Steve Largent award to Kam Chancellor before the game.
DeShawn Shead talks with Richard Sherman in the locker room.
Michael Bennett gets his teammates pumped up before the game.
Garry Gilliam, Germain Ifedi and Justin Britt come out of the tunnel before the game.
Blitz stands with the team in the tunnel before the start of the game.
Bobby Wagner gets ready to run out of the tunnel during introductions.
Steven Terrell in the tunnel before the start of the game.
Kam Chancellor is introduced before the start of the game.
The team stands arm-in-arm during their show of unity during the playing of the national anthem.
Fireworks go off during the national anthem.
Kam Chancellor and Ahtyba Rubin tackle Todd Gurley.
Frank Clark sacks Rams quarterback Jared Goff.
Head coach Pete Carroll talks with Richard Sherman.
Bobby Wagner celebrates a fourth down stop agains the Rams.
Thomas Rawls breaks through the middle for a gain against the Rams.
Luke Willson dives into the end zone for a touchdown.
Russell Wilson throws a pass.
Michael Bennett and Ahtyba Rubin converge on Rams quarterback Jared Goff.
Cliff Avril celebrates a sack.
Kam Chancellor stretches out to tackle Rams running back Todd Gurley.
The defense listens to instructions in the locker room at half time.
Frank Clark slings down Rams quarterback Jared Goff.
Cassius March sacks Rams quarterback Jared Goff as Michael Bennett closes in.
Tight end Jimmy Graham makes a one-handed catch.
Jimmy Graham celebrates a big gain against the Rams.
Doug Baldwin celebrates his touchdown catch over Rams corner back Troy Hill.
Tyler Lockett hauls in a 57-yard touchdown catch.
Tyler Lockett celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Michael Bennett sacks Jared Goff.
Michael Bennett sacks Rams quarterback Jared Goff.
Michael Bennett celebrates his sack with Cliff Avril.
Micheal Bennett collides with Rams running back Todd Gurley.
Jon Ryan runs the ball up the field on a fake punt in the fourth quarter.
DeAndre Elliott tackles down wide receiver Tavon Austin.
Head coach Pete Carroll walks off the field after the Seahawks won the NFC West.
Young fans yell out after the Seahawks clinched the NFC West.
The team celebrates in the locker room after clinching the NFC West.
Michael Bennett leads a cheer as the team celebrates in the locker room after the game.
