Merry Christmas everyone!
It’s either a very important or completely meaningless game for Seattle in Tampa Bay this weekend, and it all depends on what the Rams are able to do against the 49ers in the early game on Sunday.
As long as St. Louis wins, it ensures that the final game between the Rams and Seahawks will serve as the NFC West Championship. If the Rams lose, things get a little more complicated with San Francisco remaining alive in the playoff picture and holding the best division record. If both Seattle and St. Louis lose, the 49ers then take control of their playoff destiny in the NFC West with only the Arizona left to play. On top of that, they’ll play at home in San Francisco. I wouldn’t go as far to say that it’s a guaranteed win for the 49ers, but I’m sure Seahawks fans at this point would rather count on a Rams win this weekend than both a Seahawks win and San Francisco loss in week 17. If the Seahawks could just win the last two games to close out the regular season, I’m sure we all feel that would be best.
Checking the television schedule for folks overseas right now, you may want to tune in at 1800 GMT to AFN Xtra for the San Francisco at St. Louis game. As long as the Rams win, you really don’t need to stay up for the Seahawks at Buccaneers at 2100 GMT on AFN Prime – Atlantic (especially for those of you in Afghanistan right now).
Considering it’s a road game for the Seahawks, and their record against teams competing for a playoff spot is pretty miserable lately, I can understand those who are less than optimistic about this game. There are two big reasons to be hopeful. First, Detroit beat Tampa Bay last week to end their 26-game road losing streak. And since it seems like half of the Lions roster is made up of former Seahawks, that makes me feel pretty good about the Hawks’ chances. Second, Traci (our Military Sea Hawkers president) won’t be traveling to the game this weekend. Without her 0-3 record when attending away games, Seattle is actually a .500 team on the road. So I’m not sure if she was actually banned by the team from attending this weekend, but that’s certainly the rumor that’s going around.
If any of you are already planning on attending the Rams game, drop me an email or hit me up via the website. I’ll know by Monday if I’m going to make it out, but right now I’m planning on it. Hopefully I’ll see you there and we’ll be rooting for the Hawks to make the playoffs. If you’re on the fence about attending and it depends on tickets, let me know and if I get anyone offering last minute tickets for free I can let you know as soon as possible.
Go Hawks!
-Brandan