Seahawks must beat Chargers to reach playoffs
The Seattle Seahawks are 4-3 and welcoming in the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon. They currently sit in the NFC’s sixth and final playoff spot as we head into November football, something most pundits didn’t believe was within Seattle’s grasp.
So while winning on Sunday over an AFC foe would be nice and a quality victory, saying it’s a must-win seems like a hot take. It isn’t, due to a wicked combination of schedule and conference.
The Seahawks come into the contest with the Chargers as a one-point favorite, showcasing Vegas’ skepticism about Russell Wilson and Co. Seattle doesn’t have many of the names you’re used to reading about after saying goodbye to Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, Paul Richardson, Sheldon Richardson and Jimmy Graham this offseason. Factor in the season-ending broken leg of Earl Thomas, and Seattle is almost a band of unknowns outside of the Pacific Northwest.
Yet Seattle is 4-3 after beginning the regular season with a pair of road losses to the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears. Now, the Seahawks have to prove that they are worthy contenders for a postseason spot and win their first game against a team with a winning mark.
The Chargers come in off their bye week and winners of four straight, including a thrilling 20-19 decision over the Tennessee Titans in London. Los Angeles is mostly healthy with the exception of Joey Bosa, who continues to sit out of action with a foot injury.
Back to Seattle, consider the upcoming schedule to understand the urgency it should be playing with. After taking on the Chargers, the Seahawks travel to play the Los Angeles Rams before coming home on a short week for the Green Bay Packers. Then, Seattle goes to Charlotte for the Carolina Panthers before coming home for a breather against the San Francisco 49ers. After that, the Minnesota Vikings come to CenturyLink Field before the Seahawks play the 49ers in California. Week 16 brings the Kansas City Chiefs to town on a Sunday night, before closing the season at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
In other words, the Cardinals and 49ers’ games should be wins, but outside of that, it’s brutal sledding. Seattle won’t be a favorite in any of those other tilts, with the possible exception of hosting the Vikings depending on their play in the interim.
If Seattle wants to shock the masses and play into January, it needs to beat the Chargers, who while good, are one of the easier home games on the schedule. With a loss, the Seahawks have to hope for some upset wins down the line, something that won’t come easily.
