Seahawks playoff picture: Seattle's updated chances to make 2023 playoffs after Week 15

Vinnie Iyer

Seahawks playoff picture: Seattle's updated chances to make 2023 playoffs after Week 15 image

The Seahawks made the 2022 NFL playoffs as an NFC wild-card team. They're rallying in the quest to land a return trip.

Seattle finished 9-8 and earned the No. 7 seed behind the NFC West-winning San Francisco last season before losing to that same division immediately in the playoffs. The Seahawks need to finish 3-1 to match that mark, but it may not guarantee another playoff spot.

Here's looking at where the Seahawks stand in the NFC playoff picture after Monday night's Week 15 closing comeback win over the Eagles and their outlook for the final weeks of the 2023 regular season:

MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 15

Seahawks playoff picture 2023

The Seahawks still have work to do at 7-7. Standing at .500, the Seahawks are the current No. 8 team in the NFC, looking up at the No. 6 Vikings and No. 7 Rams. Right behind Seahawks are the No. 9 Saints, also 7-7, the No. 10 Falcons and No. 11 Packers, both 6-8.

The Seahawks, by beating the Eagles, jumped the Saints and got to No. 8 with the better conference record, 6-5 vs. 4-5. The Vikings are a strong 6-3 in NFC play, while the Rams are 5-4. The Rams also swept the season series fron the Seahawks, giving them the complete head-to-head edge.

Seahawks remaining schedule

The Seahawks had their hands full with the Eagles in Week 15. Now in a quirk of the schedule, they play two AFC teams from different divisions, last-place Tennessee from the South and last-place Pittsburgh from the North.

Week Opponent Record
16 at Titans 5-9
17 vs. Steelers 7-7
18 at Cardinals 3-11

That's a very favorable schedule with the toughest game at home and the much easier ones (on paper) on the road. The downside is the Seahawks can only add one more NFC win to their credentials.

MORE: NFL teams to clinch playoff spots thus far in 2023

Seahawks playoff chances

The Seahawks' wild-card chances are much better now, That's how big matching the Vikings and Rams at 7-7 is. A win improved the wild-card chances to a little better than 50-50.

Even getting to 9-8 by finishing 2-1 doesn't make the Seahawks a lock again. They would have a much better shot than now, more than 60 percent. But going 1-2 or worse makes it almost certain they will miss the playoffs while finishing below .500.

The Seahawks will get some natural help from the No. 7 Rams hosting the No. 8 Saints to open Week 16 on Thursday night. Also, the No. 6 Vikings still need to play the No. 3 Lions twice, starting Sunday. The inconsistency of the Seahawks says their ending is difficult to predict, but that's also why around 50-50 is the right call for their wild-card return potential.

Vinnie Iyer

Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer, has been with TSN since 1999, not long after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He has produced NFL content for more than 20 years, turning his attention to full-time writing in 2007. A native of St. Louis, Mo. but now a long-time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Vinnie’s top two professional sports teams are Cardinals and Blues, but he also carries purple pride for all things Northwestern Wildcats. He covers every aspect of the NFL for TSN including player evaluations, gambling and fantasy football, where he is a key contributor. Vinnie represents TSN as host of the “Locked On Fantasy Football” podcast on the Locked On network. Over his many years at TSN, he’s also written about MLB, NBA, NASCAR, college football, tennis, horse racing, film and television. His can’t-miss program remains “Jeopardy!”, where he was once a three-day champion and he is still avid about crossword puzzles and trivia games. When not watching sports or his favorite game show, Vinnie is probably watching a DC, Marvel or Star Wars-related TV or movie.