How NFL Playoff Picture Looks After Seahawks’ Epic Win Over Rams on ‘TNF’

The Seahawks prevailed against the Rams in overtime on a two-point conversion caught by tight end Eric Saubert
The Seahawks prevailed against the Rams in overtime on a two-point conversion caught by tight end Eric Saubert / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The Thursday night meeting between the Rams and Seahawks had plenty on the line.

Two 11-3 squads up against each other in a primetime contest with just three games left on the regular-season slate. Regulation wasn’t enough to determine the winner, with the Seahawks winning an absolute thriller in overtime on a gutsy two-point call despite a touchdown on the opening drive in the extra period from the Rams.

With the 38-37 win, the Seahawks officially clinched a playoff spot and put themselves in the driver’s seat for the NFC West crown and the No. 1 seed, which would return a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs. Seattle (12-3) moves one game ahead of Los Angeles (11-4) with just two games left on the schedule.

The Seahawks control their own destiny now with games ahead against the Panthers and 49ers who have playoff stakes of their own to play for. The Rams have the Falcons and Cardinals ahead, two teams that are both already eliminated from postseason contention. The Bears and 49ers remain alive for the NFC’s top seed, but they will need help to claim the first-round bye, just like L.A. Per The Athletic, the Seahawks now have a 53% chance at the NFC’s top seed, while their division foes in the Rams and 49ers have a 21% shot apiece.

After a wild Thursday Night Football contest, here’s a look at how the NFL playoff picture looks heading into the weekend (note: all playoff chances are courtesy of Next Gen Stats):

NFC playoff picture

SEED

TEAM

PLAYOFF %

1

Seahawks (12-3)

CLINCHED

2

Bears (10-4)

80%

3

Eagles (9-5)

>99%

4

Buccaneers (7-7)

79%

5

Rams (11-4)

CLINCHED

6

49ers (10-4)

98%

7

Packers (9-4-1)

88%

---

---

---

8

Lions (8-6)

35%

9

Panthers (7-7)

22%

10

Cowboys (6-7-1)

<1%

---

ELIMINATED

---

11

Vikings (6-8)

0%

12

Falcons (5-9)

0%

13

Saints (4-10)

0%

14

Commanders (4-10)

0%

15

Cardinals (3-11)

0%

16

Giants (2-12)

0%

AFC playoff picture

SEED

TEAM

PLAYOFF %

1

Broncos (12-2)

CLINCHED

2

Patriots (11-3)

>99%

3

Jaguars (10-4)

98%

4

Steelers (8-6)

61%

5

Chargers (10-4)

94%

6

Bills (10-4)

>99%

7

Texans (9-5)

96%

---

---

---

8

Colts (8-6)

13%

9

Ravens (7-7)

39%

---

ELIMINATED

---

10

Chiefs (6-8)

0%

11

Dolphins (6-8)

0%

12

Bengals (4-10)

0%

13

Jets (3-11)

0%

14

Browns (3-11)

0%

15

Raiders (2-12)

0%

16

Titans (2-12)

0%


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Published
Blake Silverman
BLAKE SILVERMAN

Blake Silverman is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, he covered the WNBA, NBA, G League and college basketball for numerous sites, including Winsidr, SB Nation's Detroit Bad Boys and A10Talk. He graduated from Michigan State University before receiving a master's in sports journalism from St. Bonaventure University. Outside of work, he's probably binging the latest Netflix documentary, at a yoga studio or enjoying everything Detroit sports. A lifelong Michigander, he lives in suburban Detroit with his wife, young son and their personal petting zoo of two cats and a dog.