Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Thursday, Dec. 3 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Seahawks 'Back From The Abyss'
NFL.com *Around the League *writer Dan Hanzus assesses the playoff picture in the NFC heading into Week 13, when the Seahawks (6-5) will meet the NFC North-leading Vikings (8-3) at University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium.
Seattle currently holds the sixth and final playoff spot in the NFC by way of conference record tiebreaker over the Atlanta Falcons (6-5), and if the season ended today, the Seahawks would play a wild-card game on the road against the No. 3-seeded Vikings.
Here's what Hanzus had to say about the Seahawks as they contend for position in the postseason:
The Seattle Seahawks might not be the dominant force they were during back-to-back Super Bowl runs in 2013 and 2014, but NFC contenders could live to regret missing the opportunity to bury the defending conference champions.
For the first time this season, the Seahawks will head into a week of action in playoff position, the product of a win over the Steelers coupled with the latest loss by the fast-fading Falcons. Seattle will have a challenge in holding onto that spot in Week 13. They hit the road to face the 8-3 Vikings in a game that could tell us if the Seahawks can still hit the accelerator when the stakes get higher.
If the Seahawks can knock off the Vikings, watch out. The next three weeks will feature matchups against the Ravens, Browns and Rams (combined record of 10-23) followed by a Week 17 date against a Cardinals team that could conceivably be resting starters.
The Seahawks aren't the same team this year. Their defense -- especially their vaunted secondary -- hasn't been as strong and the absence of Marshawn Lynch will be felt, regardless of early positive returns on Thomas Rawls. But will you really be stunned if Seattle was 11-5 when the dust clears on Jan. 3?
Didn't think so.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from Q13 FOX sports director Aaron Levine, who shares a quote from Richard Sherman's Wednesday press conference about Jeremy Lane's 54-yard interception return from this past weekend's win over Pittsburgh.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle says the Seahawks offensive line, and offense as a whole, has shown big signs of improvement in recent weeks.
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said tight end Jimmy Graham was expected to undergo surgery yesterday for the patellar tendon he tore in this past Sunday's win over the Steelers.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, the NFL's leading rusher, says he's looking forward to facing a talented Seahawks defense this Sunday.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman told reporters how NBA star Kobe Bryant's work ethic influenced him as an athlete.
Five Seahawks players did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Scott Engel at RotoExperts.com previews this week's Seahawks-Vikings matchup from a fantasy football perspective.
Dave Boling at the Tacoma News Tribune says giving back has been a family tradition for Richard Sherman, who was nominated for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award yesterday.
Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times previews Sunday's Seahawks game with Chris Tomasson, who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com poses five questions about the play of Seattle's defense.
And Eric Mandel at 710Sports.com recaps a recent radio conversation with Seahawks tight end Cooper Helfet, who should see an increased role with Jimmy Graham out the rest of the year.
The Seahawks will kick off the 2023 Preseason at Lumen Field against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, August 10, 2023. Check out action photos from throughout the years of their matchups.
Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Viking? Quarterback, with a host of passing records in his Pocket, many times scrambles, and sometimes unsuccessfully. Here in a game this year he is about to be sacked by Seattle Seahawks tackle Dick Harris (77) on Dec. 14, 1976. The Vikings host the Washington Redskins on December 18 in an NFL Playoff Game. (AP Photo)
Steve Largent of the Seattle Seahawks heads into the end zone for a touchdown during second quarter action against the Minnesota Vikings, Aug. 23, 1986. David Evans (40) is seen in the background. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Liz Mathews, Seahawkswire.usatoday.com
Danny O'Neil, 710 ESPN Seattle
Late 1990's: Quarterback Brad Johnson of the Minnesota Vikings passes from the pocket during a Vikings game versus the Seattle Seahawks (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, right, leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander waves to the crowd after scoring his fifth touchdown in the first half, an NFL record, against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept., 29, 2002, at Seattle's Seahawk Stadium. (AP Photo/Jim Bryant)
Dick Fain, Sports Radio KJR
Minnesota Vikings tight end Jermaine Wiggins (85) fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Kris Richard, right, during the second quarter in Minneapolis, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004. The ball was recoverd by the Vikings' Cory Withrow. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant, right, breaks up a first quarter Daunte Culpepper pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss, left, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004 in Minneapolis. A pass interference penalty was called against Trufant. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings' Chester Taylor, right, leaps over downed players on a first-half run against the Seattle Seahawks, during a football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Minnesota Vikings' Troy Williamson (82) is spun around by Seattle Seahawks' Ken Hamlin on a missed pass reception in the first quarter in a football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006, in Seattle. Williamson was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Jan. 10, 2016; Minneapolis, Minn.
Seattle's Jacob Martin hits Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and knocks the ball loose.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett gets yards after the catch against the Minnesota Vikings on September 26, 2021.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf gains yardage on the team's opening drive against the Minnesota Vikings on September 26, 2021.
Seahawks defenders hit Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, resulting in an incomplete pass against the Minnesota Vikings on September 26, 2021.
LB Jordyn Brooks make a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings on September 26, 2021.
Seahawks tight end Will Dissly with a long gain on a pass reception against the Minnesota Vikings on September 26, 2021.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson runs away from Vikings defenders for a touchdown in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings on September 26, 2021.
D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *
