This isn't how the Seahawks envisioned their season coming to an end, playing a Week 18 game with no playoff implications having been eliminated from postseason contention last weekend.

But even though the Seahawks can't earn a playoff berth with a 10^th win, they still feel like there's plenty to play for when they travel to Los Angeles to face the Rams.

"You're always trying to win your next game," Macdonald said. "This is the next game. That's number one. There are broader implications: getting to 10 wins; trying to be 4-2 in our division; trying to play our brand of football the way we know how; building upon our foundation for years to come. There is a lot at stake for us this weekend. It's not the stakes that we wanted, but those are always in play.

"You're just trying to get our guys to play our best football. You're thinking about, what are the stakes? Your goals have changed in the last week, so trying to make that clear, trying to stay positive with it, and doing the best we can to go become the team we want. I mean, it's not an easy situation for anybody, but I think our guys have been awesome. Just really, really impressed with our resolve and attitude over the last few days and the communication we've had. Our guys are awesome. They've been great."

As Macdonald noted, there are foundational goals in play for the Seahawks beyond just getting a 10^th win this season. There are always ups and downs for a team learning under a new head coach and new coaching staff, as well as chances for growth, so for this team, finishing strong is partly about pride, and partly about helping set the tone for 2025.

"This is all of our resume, but especially (Macdonald's) resume, so he's not trying to go out on a loss," receiver DK Metcalf said. "We are trying to win every game. If they keep score then he's trying to win. That's the mentality coach has. That's the mentality all his players have. Yeah, it's just good to build on for next year. Like we all said, it's his first year. We have a learning curve. He has things he's going to carry over into next year, things he's not. I mean, I think it's just a good year. Good first year for everybody in the building."

Said linebacker Ernest Jones IV, "In our eyes we're still playing for a lot—10 wins, just the opportunity to start this year off the right way leading into next year. So I feel like we going to come out and play as we should.

"Although we are out of the playoffs, although this is our last game, let's leave our brand, our style of football on a high note. I think that's just where that comes from. We got another game. Regardless what it's for or not for, we got to go out there and as men and play for that name on the back of your jersey, and also the Seattle Seahawks logo, too."

And as Metcalf pointed out, playoffs or not, NFL players are too competitive and too prideful to check out before the season is over just because the stakes have changed.

"I will say just with being in the NFL, there are a lot of competitive guys in this league, especially on this team," Metcalf said. "So, I mean, I wouldn't expect anything less than for us to go out there and play like we're still fighting to get in the playoffs. I think it just sends a message to the opposing team what type of identity that this team will have moving forward. So, no, I don't think people are going to just lay down and just accept not making it to the playoffs and just think this last week is going to be a cake walk. No."

There can also be individual goals to provide motivation, including financial incentives or statistical benchmarks. Second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is five catches from breaking Tyler Lockett's franchise record of 100 receptions in a season, while Leonard Williams, who as 9.0 sacks, can become the first Seahawks player with a double-digit sack season since Frank Clark in 2018. And as has been well reported, Geno Smith has several significant contract incentives within reach while also having a good shot to break his own single-season records for passing yards, completions and completion percentage.

"There are financial things involved with it, which you want your guys to hit those numbers—if it's within your power, you're going to try to make that come to life; create as many opportunities for those guys as possible, all within the lens of what's best for the team and trying to win," Macdonald said. "Might have a couple ongoing jokes with a couple of the guys on some of those things. They're going to be great. They're approaching it the right way, but, yeah, you're working together with that. That's definitely something you want to help the guys with."

But more than anything, the Seahawks will be motivated on Sunday because, if they're on their way to becoming the team they think they can be in the future, then they're not the kind of team that will put forth a lackluster effort despite a change in circumstances this week.

"We got a standard here of what we're trying to build," Macdonald said. "You can't let outside forces affect how we play and our mentality. It's just not how we're going to operate. That's soft frankly, so that's not what we're going to be."