Seahawks playoff path is becoming quite clear

Nov 7, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) is embraced by fans after breaking up a pass play in the fourth quarter in a game against the Buffalo Bills at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 31-25. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) is embraced by fans after breaking up a pass play in the fourth quarter in a game against the Buffalo Bills at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 31-25. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Seahawks sit in the driver’s seat for their playoff race. They have both a commanding lead and the easier remaining schedule.

Right now, the Seattle Seahawks are focussed on a tough and underrated Philadelphia Eagles team that comes to town tomorrow for a battle at CenturyLink Field. Despite being a matchup of two apparent playoff teams, this is far from a “must win” for the Seahawks.

Three weeks ago I concluded that Seattle need to finished this stretch from the New Orleans to Philadelphia games with at least a 2-2 record. With wins over Buffalo and New England, they’ve already accomplished that no matter what happens this week.

Seattle’s currently sits a full two games clear of Arizona in the division standings. They’re also 1.5 games clear of Atlanta in the race for a first-round bye.

After this week, Seattle’s schedule eases up considerably.

WeekTeamWLT
12@ Tampa Bay45
13Carolina46
14@Green Bay45
15Los Angeles45
16Arizona441
17@San Francisco18

Seattle has only one road game against a team that scares anyone. Lambo is never an easy place to play, but the Packers aren’t the juggernaut they once were. Arizona and LA can be tough divisional matchups, but both of those games are at home.

Conversely, the toughest portion of Arizona’s schedule is still to come. They have just two home games remaining. 5 of their 7 remaining opponents have winning records. The Cardinals must both survive that gauntlet and make up two game on the Seahawks in order to win the NFC West.

Next: Home field important for Seattle this week

While nothing is ever guaranteed, the Seahawks have to love their chances at this point. It also doesn’t hurt that they are finally starting to get healthy and are coming off their best offensive performance of the season.