It could be one of the most consequential, significant, and important games of the entire NFL season for the Seattle Seahawks — a divisional rival showdown that could lead to rewarding one team with the NFC's No. 1 seed, and the other team standing a few rows back, facing a harder playoff path ahead.
This week's addition of Thursday Night Football features a scenario exactly as described: the Los Angeles Rams travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks, with both teams sporting mirror 11-3 records but playing very different brands of football.
The Seahawks are coming into Thursday's match on the heels of a win, but an unconvincing one that has raised more questions than confidence. Week 16 against a division rival with the conference on the line is not the best time to have more questions than answers, but right now, that's where the Seahawks are.
Seahawks' can take the NFC if they beat the Rams, but they must perform offensively for that to happen
The questions that are overshadowing Seattle's 11-3 record have much more to do with their offensive struggles of late, and less to do with the overall team. Yes, their defense had their first bad game of the season, yes, their first. How incredible is that?
Not that sweeping things under the rug as if they never happened is the right way to go about it, but let's just assume the Seahawks' defense will not underperform in the manner they did against the Indianapolis Colts for a second consecutive game. It's more likely than not they will come back to life against the Rams and in the following games.
That being said, there is a major cause for concern heading into this home matchup against LA, because if Seattle drops this game, it could put a wrench in playoff positioning going forward, not just the likely chance they lose out on the top seed in the NFC.
If the Seahawks pull off the win, they would tie the Rams head-to-head this season — a much better scenario and outcome when the playoffs arrive. On the other side of that coin, however, if the Seahawks lose to the Rams again, it would increase the chances of the Seahawks being a possible wild-card team, while the Rams get the bye.
One of these NFC West teams will win the conference. Seattle's Super Bowl aspirations may hinge on beating the Rams, therefore winning the NFC. Are they down and out if these two things fail? Not necessarily, but a win would present a more comfortable reality, that's for sure.
Regardless, not only is this upcoming game one of the most important of the season, but it also has the makings of the most exciting.