Seahawks No Longer Control Playoff Fate After Loss To Steelers: 'Here We Are!'

After Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Seattle Seahawks now need help to make it back to the playoffs.

The Seattle Seahawks lost much more than just a game in Sunday's 30-23 home defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Before this game, the Seahawks' path to the playoffs was crystal clear: win both of their remaining games and they're in. Now, though, they'll need some help to make it to the big dance.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll / © Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

"It hurts whenever you lose. We wanted to control our own destiny. Obviously, we can't do that anymore, but there's no time for us to feel sorry for ourselves," Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith said after Sunday's game. "We've got another game to play. Still got a chance, still got an opportunity, so next week is going to be big for us. I think the message is to keep going, as always, to keep going and keep fighting."

So, what needs to happen for Seattle to make its second straight playoff appearance? The simplest way is for the Seahawks to defeat the Arizona Cardinals and for the Green Bay Packers to lose or tie against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

If that sounds familiar, it's because the Seahawks also needed a Packers loss in the final game of last season to make the playoffs. It worked out that time, but it remains to be seen if it will again.

There is also still an outside chance for Seattle to make it if it ties Arizona, which in and of itself is an outside chance. For that to happen, though, the Seahawks would need the Packers to lose and a loss or tie by either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints.

The Seahawks have never been afraid to live on the edge, and they'll certainly be on edge in the final week of the regular season.

Geno Smith Reveals His 'Message' After Loss to Steelers

"I never imagined we'd be in this situation again, but here we are," Smith said. "What we can do is continue to fight, get ready for next week. 

"We're the type of team that's going to always bounce back. We've got the right leadership. We've got the right coaches, right players, and we're going to make it happen. We're going to find a way to make it happen."