The Seahawks head into Sunday night's game against the 49ers knowing they are already playoff-bound, but the result of that game, as well as a couple of other NFC games, will have a big impact on seeding.
First and foremost, the Seahawks are trying to win the NFC West, and the home playoff game that comes with it, and a win over the 49ers would give Seattle a division title and at worst the No. 3 seed. There is still a way for the Seahawks to earn a bye or perhaps even homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, but they would need help for those things to happen.
Here are all the relevant scenarios for the Seahawks heading into Week 17:
- The Seahawks clinch the NFC West with a win.
- The Seahawks clinch a first-round bye with a win and a Green Bay loss.
- The Seahawks clinch homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a win, a Green Bay loss and a New Orleans loss.
If the Seahawks win and don't get the help they need from Detroit, which plays Green Bay, and Carolina, which plays New Orleans, Seattle would be the No. 3 seed. A Seahawks win combined with a Green Bay loss and a New Orleans win would make the Saints the No. 1 seed and Seattle the No. 2 seed. And a Seahawks win combined with Saints and Packers losses would hand Seattle the No. 1 seed, as they would win a three-way tiebreaker with those two teams if all finished 12-4.
As the No. 3 seed, the Seahawks would host Minnesota, which is now locked into the No. 6 seed following Monday's loss to Green Bay. If the Seahawks lose to the 49ers, they would be the No. 5 seed as a Wild Card and play at the NFC East winner (Philadelphia or Dallas), which is locked into the No. 4 seed regardless of which team wins the division.
Seahawks Legend Marshawn Lynch -- affectionately known as "Beast Mode," was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and he was a part of the Seahawks during their back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014, including winning Super Bowl XLVIII. Take a look back at his time in Seattle.
Marshawn Lynch celebrates with teammates after his touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Seahawks a 23-8 lead.
NFL Football: NFC Conference Playoff: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks Game Action CenturyLink Field/Seattle, WA, USA 1/19/2014 X157457 TK1 Credit: Rod Mar
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) lines up in position during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. Carolina won 31-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) rushes for a gain during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) scores a touchdown in action against the Denver Broncos February 2, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Seattle defeated Denver 43-8 in Super Bowl XKVIII (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch, left, and Justin Forsett, right, take the field during introductions prior to an NFL NFC wild card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) carries the ball during the NFL football NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, January 19, 2014, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 23-17 to advance to Super Bowl XLVIII. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
So. Beastly. Marshawn Lynch stands tall after his fourth rushing touchdown of the afternoon, this one a 16-yard scamper up the middle to give the Seahawks a 31-17 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) and defensive end Greg Hardy (76) tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during an NFL game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, November 1, 2015. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys, 13-12. (James D. Smith via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks away to score a touchdown as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck celebrates in the background during the second half of an NFL NFC wild card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in Seattle against the New Orleans Saints. The Seahawks won 41-36. Lynch finished with 131 yards on 19 carries, the first Seattle back to top 100 yards all season. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks away from a tackle by the New Orleans Saints defenders to score a touchdown in the second half of an NFL NFC wild card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch pauses before crossing the goal line with his third touchdown of the game.
Marshawn Lynch rumbles free on a 13-yard carry in the fourth quarter as Seattle's offense ate up 11 minutes of the final quarter to seal the victory.
Marshawn Lynch is congratulated by quarterback Russell Wilson after the touchdown.
Running back Marshawn Lynch bangs his way towards the end zone in the fourth quarter.
NFL Football: NFC Conference Playoff: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks Game Action CenturyLink Field/Seattle, WA, USA 1/19/2014 X157457 TK1 Credit: Rod Mar
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks out for a touchdown run against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) stiff-arms Atlanta Falcons safety William Moore (25) during an NFL football game on Sunday, November 10, 2013 in Atlanta. The Seahawks won 33-10. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers; Marshawn Lynch
