Seahawks' playoff streak in danger

Dec 18, 2017 - 5:12 AM SEATTLE -- After absorbing a 42-7 home field pasting at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams, the Seattle Seahawks suddenly find themselves on the verge of missing the playoffs.

If the season ended today, the Seahawks (8-6) would miss the postseason for the first time since 2011.

"We just have to figure out how to move on to the next week and get ready for the next week," quarterback Russell Wilson said. "Because this week can't hold us back for getting prepared for the next opportunity we have in front of us."

Seattle finds itself bunched in a group of four teams basically chasing the second NFC wild card spot.

Philadelphia (12-2) has clinched the NFC East Division and Minnesota (11-3) has wrapped up the North. New Orleans and Carolina (each 10-4) are tied atop the NFC South and the second-place finisher has the inside track on the first wild card spot.

By virtue of their rout of Seattle, the Rams (10-4) have a two-game lead over the Seahawks with two games to play.

"It's a challenge for everybody, it isn't just the coaches," said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. "This is everybody. Every player in there, we talked about that in the locker room. Everybody's accountable. Everybody has to take the step forward together and hold themselves in that regard that we can pull out the best we have to offer down the stretch here. So, we'll see if we can do that."

The Seahawks play at Dallas (8-6), which entered their Sunday night game against Oakland and finishes at home against Arizona (6-8).

Defending NFC champ Atlanta (8-5) plays at Tampa Bay (4-9) on Monday, but then must play New Orleans and Carolina back-to-back.

Detroit (8-6) finishes with Cincinnati (5-9) and Green Bay (7-7). Despite the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers lost to Carolina 31-24 on Sunday and have almost no chance of making the playoffs.

After facing Seattle, Dallas closes its season on the road at Philadelphia.

Safety Earl Thomas said bouncing back from the loss to the Rams depends on the Seahawks veteran core.

"It depends based on the veteran leadership," Thomas said. "We have to lead these young guys right. We can't click off into sections and go this way and that way. We just have to stay together."

And, the Seahawks are depleted on defense. Standout cornerback Richard Sherman is out for the season and safety Kam Chancellor went on injured reserve on Saturday. Linebacker K.J. Wright, the team's second-leading tackler, missed the Rams game after sustaining a concussion the previous week against Jacksonville, snapping his streak of consecutive games at 61.

"We are going to play with the same enthusiasm, effort, toughness and play smart," said wide receiver Doug Baldwin. "That is the core curriculum of what we are. The message is not different. Obviously, philosophy has to change a little bit in terms of play and where we put guys because we have injuries. When you lose so many guys who are all-pros, Pro Bowlers, obviously that affects it. We are not going to make that as an excuse, however, because we know it is just football. It is what it is."

Although Wilson has thrown for 3,669 yards with 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, the running game is almost non-existent, managing just 78 yards against the Rams.

Wilson, with his ability to elude pressure and extend plays, is the team's leading rusher with 521 yards and a team-high three rushing touchdowns. Rookie Chris Carson is second with 208 yards, despite being on injured reserve since early October.

"I have no doubt in the men that we have in the locker room and who we are as a team," Wilson said. "I'm looking forward to coming back next week and having a week."

Even with that, the Seahawks probably will need some help.