With the Seattle Seahawks securing a victory against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14, their chances of making the playoffs have received a much-needed boost. Although they face fierce competition from the Los Angeles Rams, the Seahawks find themselves in a solid position as division leaders, and they will still control their fate even if they suffer a loss this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

Let's take a closer look at the current NFC standings as we head into Week 15:

NFC Standings

**Division Leaders** 1. x-Detroit Lions (12-1) 2. x-Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) 3. Seattle Seahawks (8-5) 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)

**Wild Card Spots** 5. Minnesota Vikings (11-2) 6. Green Bay Packers (9-4) 7. Washington Commanders (8-5)

**In The Hunt** 8. Los Angeles Rams (8-6) 9. Atlanta Falcons (6-7, 6-3 NFC) 10. Arizona Cardinals (6-7) 11. San Francisco 49ers (6-8) 12. New Orleans Saints (5-8) 13. Dallas Cowboys (5-8) 14. Chicago Bears (4-8) 15. Carolina Panthers (3-10) **Eliminated** 16. New York Giants (2-11)

The Seahawks are focused mainly on winning their division, but due to the moderate competition within the NFC this season, there's also a slight chance for a Wild Card berth if necessary. The playoffs are within reach, but the Seahawks must take some additional factors into account as they approach the final weeks of the season.

Top Priority

1. **Patriots over Cardinals** - The Patriots are up against the Cardinals at 1:25 pm PT on CBS. A loss for Arizona would be crucial, as it could mathematically eliminate them from winning the division, provided the Seahawks secure a victory in their match-up.

2. **Saints over Commanders** - Alternatively, the Saints will be facing the Commanders at 10 am PT on FOX. A loss here would benefit the Seahawks as they strive to secure a better position for playoffs considering the potential for backdoor qualification. The Commanders boast a better NFC record, so any loss for them makes it easier for the Seahawks to keep pace.

Nice to Have, But Not Essential

1. **Chargers over Buccaneers** - If the Chargers can prevail against the Buccaneers at 1:05 pm PT on FOX, it would hinder Tampa Bay's chances of catching up to Seattle in the Wild Card race. This game is more of a ‘nice to have’ than a necessity but would certainly add to the Seahawks' playoff aspirations.

What Could Help the Seahawks?

Although the Seahawks are focusing on winning the division, they need to keep a close eye on the results from other matches. A loss for the Rams against the 49ers would showcase Seattle's division lead even more, and the potential impact of these games could play a pivotal role in where the Seahawks end up in the playoff picture.

With key match-ups on the horizon, every game counts this December as Seattle looks to solidify its playoff position and make a push for the coveted title. Who will rise to the occasion? Tune in on game day to find out!