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Seahawks can clinch NFC West title

Dec 5, 2006 - 10:40 PM Seattle (8-4) at Arizona (3-9) Sunday 4:05 pm EST

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- The last five NFC champions were unable to make it back to the playoffs the following season.

The Seattle Seahawks have a chance to return to the postseason Sunday when they visit the Arizona Cardinals.

Seattle could clinch its third straight West Division title with a win in this contest coupled with a San Francisco loss to Green Bay. The Seahawks own a three-game lead over both San Francisco and St. Louis.

The 2000 Rams are the last NFC team to make it back to the playoffs after reaching the Super Bowl the previous season.

After enduring injuries to Pro Bowl running back Shaun Alexander and Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, the Seahawks have begun to get healthy, winning four of their last five games. They are seeking their first three-game winning streak since opening the season at 3-0.

Alexander rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown and the Seahawks forced five turnovers in last Sunday night's 23-20 victory at Denver. Josh Brown provided the winning points with a 50-yard field goal with five seconds remaining.

The Seahawks are starting to ride Alexander, who won the MVP when he set a single-season record with 28 touchdowns last season. He has carried 66 times for 291 yards in the last two games.

Alexander, who has played three games since returning from a cracked bone in his left foot that sidelined him for six contests, needs 485 yards over his last four games for his sixth straight 1,000-yard season.

Mired in last place, the Cardinals have won two of their last three games, including last Sunday's 34-20 triumph at St. Louis. Matt Leinart completed 15-of-24 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown and Edgerrin James rushed for a season-high 115 yards.

In the first meeting between the teams on September 17, the Seahawks sacked Kurt Warner five times and limited James to 64 rushing yards in 21-10 victory. Alexander rushed for 89 yards on 26 carries.