Pain.

The rollercoaster 2024 season for the Seattle Seahawks continues and we’re back in the doldrums with a 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Granted, the Vikings are very good as their now 13-2 record attests, but the Seahawks had plenty of chances to win this game. Who knows what would’ve happened if Byron Murphy didn’t grab Sam Darnold’s facemask on a pivotal sack late in the 4th Quarter.

Seattle’s offense racked up 361 yards against a tough Vikings defense in spite of Ryan Grubb’s allergy towards running the ball. The run game had moments of looking competent today, there just weren’t many opportunities. Geno Smith threw 2 INTs, only one of which was certainly on him. The defense had some coverage breaks and didn’t force a turnover. That’s not a recipe for winning football.

After losing two straight, the Seahawks odds to win the NFC West have plummeted to (+500) according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

With the Los Angeles Rams victory over the New York Jets, Seattle no longer has control over its playoff chances. If the Rams beat the already-eliminated Arizona Cardinals next weekend, the Week 18 game will only be for pride unless a handful of other games also go Seattle’s way.

Let me take a step back, because the Seahawks have to win their next game first which is not a given considering their recent slide. It will be another prime time game the day after Christmas on Thursday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. The atmosphere in the Windy City should be good…can the Seahawks stop the bleeding? Seattle is a 3.5-point favorite against the Bears, who’ve lost nine straight.

NFC standings during Week 16

Division Leaders

1. Detroit Lions (13-2)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)

3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6, 3-1 NFCW, win vs NYJ)

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7, head-to-head vs. TB)

Wild Card Teams

5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)

6. Green Bay Packers (10-4) *Play the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football

7. Washington Commanders (10-5)

Outside Looking In

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (

9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7, 3-2 NFCW)

Eliminated From Playoff Contention

10. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)

11. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)

12. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

13. New Orleans Saints (5-9) *Play GB on Monday Night Football

14. Chicago Bears (4-11)

15. Carolina Panthers (4-11)

16. New York Giants (2-13)