This Blue Friday in Seattle will include Honolulu Blue. This is the official name of this shade of color sported by the Detroit Lions.
Two years ago, no Seahawks fan would have believed that Geno Smith and Jared Goff would be their two favorite quarterbacks heading into the final game of the 2022 regular season, but here we are. This weekend, Emerald City will temporarily become Motown (hey, the Hawks already have a Michael Jackson.)
Yes, Seattle (8-8) beat the Jets 23-6 on Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive, but the only way this game is main story right now is if New York wins. A loss to the Seahawks at the hands of a team that has now lost five straight would have confirmed any suspicions that they were ever playoff-worthy to begin with.
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Seahawks 23, Jets 6
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But the Seahawks did what they were supposed to (and had to) do by hammering a slippery Jets team in all three phases of the game, giving themselves a shot at the playoffs before the final game of the season. They just need to beat the Rams…and hope Detroit beats Green Bay.
I suspect most fans here would have accepted the following scenario had it been presented to them before the season: The Seahawks will have a shot at making the playoffs before Week 18, and Denver will finish (at best) with the one of the five worst records in the NFL, guaranteeing Seattle a top-five pick in the draft.
That’s the current reality, but that doesn’t mean all 12 are thrilled. A few months ago, the Seahawks were 6-3 and facing perhaps their easiest four-game streak of the season. Then they went 1-3 against the Bucs, Raiders, Rams (their win) and Panthers – all of whom have losing records – before dropping games to the division-leading 49ers and Chiefs. So while the Seahawks are still alive, they’re not necessarily doing well, especially since the Lions are 3-27 to 10 against the Packers in their last 30 games at Lambeau Field.
But that Great Lakes State team doesn’t seem to be at the forefront of most Seahawks’ minds. At least that’s the front they put on.
“We can’t really worry about that. We can’t do anything but worry about ourselves,” Seahawks center Austin Blythe said. “I would say we’re still in control of our situation and that situation is winning the football game in front of us.”
“I’m too stupid to know all the (playoff scenarios),” Special Teams captain Nick Bellore said before being briefed on the scenario. I think at the end of the day, we don’t gain anything by thinking about the Lions and the Packers. We just have to focus on the Rams.
Defensive end Quinton Jefferson echoed his teammates, albeit more colorfully.
“We have to run the business. It all means nothing if we go out there and (exploit) the bed,” he said, adding that he never checked the score for the Packers-Vikings game on Sunday, which resulted in a Packers victory.
Not having control of his playoff future must be frustrating, but it’s unlikely to impact the Seahawks’ preparation. Seattle entered its contest with the Jets needing league-wide help, but managed to produce one of its most complete games of the season.
Of course, glowing praise must be offered when the opponent has played as atrociously as the Jets, who have won only once since Nov. 1. 6. But holding everything Opponent to 279 yards and no touchdown is remarkable in the NFL.
The Seahawks also got 133 rushing yards on 23 carries from Kenneth Walker III, who netted his second straight 100-yard yardage after being held under 50 in his previous outing. It’s all an afterthought now, even though it’s only been a few hours.
The Seahawks are now turning their attention to their 5-11 date with the Rams this weekend, while their fanbase will have one eye in Seattle and the other in Green Bay. The last time the Seahawks relied on help for a playoff spot was in 2017, and they didn’t get it — the Falcons beat the Panthers to eliminate Seattle before kickoff at Lumen Field.
This season was a little different, as it was the first time in the Russell Wilson era that the Seahawks missed the playoffs. Game 18 for Seattle this season would feel more like a bonus, but that doesn’t make these games any less intense.
The Seahawks have put themselves in position to enter the tournament. They just need help.
The Emerald City is Motor City this week. Consider this city racing.
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