Wednesday, December 07, 2005
HOMEFIELD AND ALL THINGS TO COME
Now that the Seahawks have won the NFC West, that's one goal down, three more to go.
1) Earn homefield advantage throughout the playoffs
2) Win the NFC
3) Win the Super Bowl
Right now, the Seahawks sit at 10-2, sporting the best record in the NFC. Behind the Seahawks at 9-3 are the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers. The Bears, however, hold the tiebreaker over the Panthers head-to-head (13-3 Bears win on Nov. 20).
So let's just say that the Seahawks and Bears are in the discussion for the #1 seed in the NFC come January.
Two Clubs
1. Head-to-head, if applicable.
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
4. Strength of victory.
5. Strength of schedule.
6. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
7. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best net points in conference games.
9. Best net points in all games.
10. Best net touchdowns in all games.
11. Coin toss.
The second item is the most important one, folks.
The Seahawks are 9-1 in the NFC this season, while the Bears are 8-1.
REMAINING SCHEDULES
SEATTLE (10-2, 9-1 NFC)
Sunday vs San Francisco (2-10)
Dec. 18 at Tennessee (3-9)
Dec. 24 vs Indianapolis (12-0)
Jan. 1 at Green Bay (2-10)
(2 remaining games vs the NFC)
CHICAGO (9-3, 8-1 NFC)
Sunday at Pittsburgh (7-5)
Dec. 18 vs Atlanta (7-5)
Dec. 25 at Green Bay (2-10)
Jan. 1 at Minnesota (7-5)
(3 remaining games vs the NFC)
Seattle's common opponent record with Chicago: 2-1 (W Atlanta, at San Francisco; L at Washington)
Chicago's common opponent record with Seattle: 2-1 (W San Francisco, Green Bay; L at Washington)
Seattle has a better strength of victory (.400 to .398) than Chicago and has a better strength of schedule (.438 to .431)
The Seahawks have a 1-game lead over the Bears in the NFC standings. If the Bears lose to Pittsburgh on Sunday, which I think will happen, the Bears will fall to 9-4. Of course, I see the Seahawks beating the 49ers on Sunday, so that will put them at 11-2. Even though the Steelers are an AFC team, it is vital for the Bears to win at Heinz Field on Sunday.
For all intents and purposes, though, I hope the Seahawks win out to finish 14-2. Why can't they finish 14-2? There isn't a game on their remaining schedule that this team can't win. Yes, they can beat Indianapolis on Christmas Eve, regardless of who's playing that day for the Colts.
It's a great time to be a Seahawks fan, folks. At least these playoff scenarios don't involve the Seahawks just trying to earn a playoff berth. I'll take these scenarios anyday of the week.
Get loud, 12th Man. I want to hear you on Sunday when I'm eating a plate full of wings at Wings To Go here in lovely Jonesboro, Arkansas. It's more lovely considering that it's the home of the 2005 Sun Belt Champions.
1) Earn homefield advantage throughout the playoffs
2) Win the NFC
3) Win the Super Bowl
Right now, the Seahawks sit at 10-2, sporting the best record in the NFC. Behind the Seahawks at 9-3 are the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers. The Bears, however, hold the tiebreaker over the Panthers head-to-head (13-3 Bears win on Nov. 20).
So let's just say that the Seahawks and Bears are in the discussion for the #1 seed in the NFC come January.
Two Clubs
1. Head-to-head, if applicable.
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
4. Strength of victory.
5. Strength of schedule.
6. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
7. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best net points in conference games.
9. Best net points in all games.
10. Best net touchdowns in all games.
11. Coin toss.
The second item is the most important one, folks.
The Seahawks are 9-1 in the NFC this season, while the Bears are 8-1.
REMAINING SCHEDULES
SEATTLE (10-2, 9-1 NFC)
Sunday vs San Francisco (2-10)
Dec. 18 at Tennessee (3-9)
Dec. 24 vs Indianapolis (12-0)
Jan. 1 at Green Bay (2-10)
(2 remaining games vs the NFC)
CHICAGO (9-3, 8-1 NFC)
Sunday at Pittsburgh (7-5)
Dec. 18 vs Atlanta (7-5)
Dec. 25 at Green Bay (2-10)
Jan. 1 at Minnesota (7-5)
(3 remaining games vs the NFC)
Seattle's common opponent record with Chicago: 2-1 (W Atlanta, at San Francisco; L at Washington)
Chicago's common opponent record with Seattle: 2-1 (W San Francisco, Green Bay; L at Washington)
Seattle has a better strength of victory (.400 to .398) than Chicago and has a better strength of schedule (.438 to .431)
The Seahawks have a 1-game lead over the Bears in the NFC standings. If the Bears lose to Pittsburgh on Sunday, which I think will happen, the Bears will fall to 9-4. Of course, I see the Seahawks beating the 49ers on Sunday, so that will put them at 11-2. Even though the Steelers are an AFC team, it is vital for the Bears to win at Heinz Field on Sunday.
For all intents and purposes, though, I hope the Seahawks win out to finish 14-2. Why can't they finish 14-2? There isn't a game on their remaining schedule that this team can't win. Yes, they can beat Indianapolis on Christmas Eve, regardless of who's playing that day for the Colts.
It's a great time to be a Seahawks fan, folks. At least these playoff scenarios don't involve the Seahawks just trying to earn a playoff berth. I'll take these scenarios anyday of the week.
Get loud, 12th Man. I want to hear you on Sunday when I'm eating a plate full of wings at Wings To Go here in lovely Jonesboro, Arkansas. It's more lovely considering that it's the home of the 2005 Sun Belt Champions.
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