The Seattle Seahawks significantly improved their postseason chances by defeating their divisional rival San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in Week 11. The Seahawks now find themselves in a three-way standings tie in the division with the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, with all three teams at 5-5. Sunday’s Week 12 opponent is the Arizona Cardinals, who are leading the NFC West with a surprising record of 6-4.
The victory over San Francisco boosted Seattle’s postseason odds to 11%, according to The Athletic’s playoff model. Their odds of winning the NFC West currently stands at 8%. The remaining difference includes the opportunity to make the playoffs via the wild card.
Unsurprisingly, those odds will be drastically altered following Sunday’s outcome versus the Cardinals. With a victory, head coach Mike Macdonald will witness his postseason odds increase to 21%, with his chances to capture the division title upgraded to 16%, doubling from its current number. A loss would represent a major setback, with just 4% postseason odds, and 2% NFC West odds, per Michael-Shawn Dugar.
New: #Seahawks currently have 11% odds of making playoffs, 8% of winning division, per @TheAthleticNFL model.
Here’s what’s on the line Sunday vs Cardinals:
Win: 21% playoffs, 16% division
Loss: 4%, 2%“It’s very much like a playoff mindset for us.” https://t.co/iZ3Y6UGjoG pic.twitter.com/NYb9WWcbum
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) November 21, 2024
The Seahawks are currently 1-2 within the NFC West, having suffered defeats to the 49ers and Rams. Falling to 1-3 would drastically hinder their chances of winning the division. Following Sunday, the Seahawks have their final two divisional games against the Cardinals in Week 14, and the Rams in Week 18’s regular-season finale.
Sunday’s home showdown versus the Cardinals at Lumen Field will understandably have a playoff-like atmosphere.
