Don't expect Pete Carroll to relax his approach to the Seahawks' final two regular season games now that the team has secured one of the NFC's two wild-card spots and the Arizona Cardinals have clinched the NFC West.
"We try to get the best position we can in the playoffs, whatever it is," Carroll said Monday at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center, one day after his team's 30-13 playoff-clinching win over the Cleveland Browns. "Winning games will help us get that. We're going to try to win games."
Locked in as a wild-card team, the Seahawks are assured of either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed regardless of whether the team wins or loses its final two games. But the Seahawks, who have won five games in a row and seven of their last eight, will continue to conduct business as usual down the stretch, Carroll said.
"I really don't believe that you should ask players to take a break," Carroll said. "I think they've got to go. If we decide not to play guys for a different reason, that could happen. That's not going to be because we're going to take a step off of the gas pedal right now."
The Seahawks (9-5) are currently slotted as the No. 5 seed in the conference thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker over the No. 6-seeded Vikings (9-5), who Seattle defeated 38-7 in Week 13 at Minnesota.
To open the playoffs, the No. 5 seed will play on the road against the No. 4 seed, which is guaranteed to be the winner of the NFC East. As it stands right now, the No. 5-seeded Seahawks would travel to Washington, D.C. for a wild-card matchup with the No. 4-seeded and NFC East-leading Redskins (7-7), who are battling the Philadelphia Eagles (6-8) and New York Giants (6-8) for the division.
The No. 6 seed, meanwhile, would play a road game against the No. 3 seed, which right now would be the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers (10-4), who the Seahawks lost to in Week 2 at Lambeau Field.
Seattle can clinch the No. 5 seed this week with a win over the Rams plus a Vikings loss to the Giants. If those results fall into place and Washington wins to clinch the NFC East title, a wild-card matchup between the No. 5-seeded Seahawks and No.4-seeded Redskins will be set. But no matter what scenarios unfold, know that Carroll's team is always playing to win.
"We want to keep driving it and try to play the best we can this week and have a successful week," Carroll said. "We'll see what that leaves us next week. There will be no reason not to go for it again. It's like letting someone not try their hardest. I don't find any place for that in our game."
Click here for a look at the current playoff picture and click here for a look at clinching scenarios for Week 16, courtesy of NFL.com.
The Seahawks returned to CenturyLink Field for their Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, with all the holiday excitement from the 12s to locker room captured by team photographer Rod Mar.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, sporting camo Bose headphones, pauses for a selfie with fans before heading back to the locker room after early pregame warmups.
Receiver Tyler Lockett only slows down to acknowledge 12s, as he did when sprinting back to the locker room after getting loose 90 minutes before kickoff.
Defensive coordinator Kris Richard greets cornerback Richard Sherman in the locker room before the defense took the field for pregame warmups.
Linebacker K.J. Wright carefully applies tape to his fingers in the locker room before the game.
Defensive lineman Brandon Mebane addresses the Seahawks moments before they left their locker room to take the field against the visiting Cleveland Browns.
Defensive end Michael Bennett went to the "dark side" before the game, donning a Darth Vader mask for his pregame introduction.
Cornerback Richard Sherman salutes 12s all over CenturyLink Field as he is introduced.
Safety Kelcie McCray, making his first start, wasted no time in making his presence known, stopping Cleveland's Duke Johnson, Jr. for a one-yard loss on the game's opening play from scrimmage.
Seahawks receiver Kevin Smith tries to make a falling, juggling catch after taking contact from a Cleveland defender while the ball was in the air.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and assistant receivers coach Nate Carroll react after a pass intended for receiver Kevin Smith fell incomplete after contact between Smith and a Cleveland defender.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson readies to throw a three-yard touchdown pass to receiver Doug Baldwin while lineman Patrick Lewis and Justin Britt provide a clean pocket.
Receiver Doug Baldwin celebrates his first touchdown of the game with Seahawks mascot "Blitz".
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell congratulates receiver Doug Baldwin after Seattle's first touchdown of the game.
Seahawks fans brought the noise in an attempt to rattle Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Seahawks defensive lineman Brandon Mebane breaks through to sack Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first quarter.
Seahawks defensive lineman Brandon Mebane reacts to his sack by breaking out his signature "belly roll" as teammate Michael Bennett joins the celebration.
The Sea Gals were in holiday spirits for the final game before Christmas.
Seahawks running back Bryce Brown looks for a hole in the red zone.
Seahawks running back Christine Michael runs over Cleveland's Donte Whitner in the second quarter.
These fans in the south end zone found ways to stay both spirited and warm, dressed in holiday hats and sweaters for the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson's first touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin went to the left side, and in the second quarter the duo paired up on the right. Wilson threw over blitzing Cleveland linebacker Karlos Dansby to Baldwin for a six-yard touchdown.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin outraces Cleveland's Johnson Bademosi to the end zone for his second touchdown of the game and his tenth touchdown in four games.
At halftime, CenturyLink Field and the cityscape looked lovely, as a sun break showed off all of Seattle's beauty.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, with plenty of room to throw thanks to the protection of lineman Alvin Bailey, Justin Britt and Patrick Lewis on the left side, fires a pass to a streaking Tyler Lockett for a 27-yard touchdown.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett hauls in a 27-yard touchdown reception over Cleveland's Johnson Bademosi at the beginning of the fourth quarter, giving Seattle a 27-10 lead.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reacts after Russell Wilson connected with Tyler Lockett for a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
12s. They come in all shapes and sizes. And hats. And sunglasses.
Seahawks running back Bryce Brown breaks up the middle for a first down. In place of injured Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls, the Seahawks gained 182 yards rushing in the victory over Cleveland.
Quarterback Russell Wilson escapes the pocket for a 16-yard gain in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka kicked three field goals in the 30-13 win over the Browns.
Seahawks defensive backs Marcus Burley and Kelcie McCray smile on the Seattle sidelines near the end of the game. Burley had an interception and McCray led the Seahawks in tackles.
After the game, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Johnny Manziel met near midfield.
Michael Bennett, who often refers to himself as "Black Santa", got into the holiday spirit with the Sea Gals after the game.
Michael Bennett dances to the cheers of the 12s as he makes his way to the locker room after the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll address the Seahawks after the victory, which clinched the team a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season.
Michael Bennet, left, urged Seahawks vice-president of football administration Matt Thomas into joining the team for it's post-game breakdown in the middle of the locker room.
Quarterback Russell Wilson addresses the media after the game. Wilson threw three touchdown passes with no interceptions for the fifth straight game, the first time an NFL quarterback has ever done so.
Well after the game, CenturyLink Field glowed brightly in holiday and Seahawks colors as the December moon shone overhead.
