Here's How the Seahawks Clinch the NFC's No. 7 Seed in Week 18

The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season, shockingly emerging as the second-best team in the NFC West after many predicted them to finish last in their first season without Russell Wilson. Largely thanks to a career year from quarterback Geno Smith, however, the Seahawks are still in the playoff hunt entering Week 18.

At 8-8, Seattle still needs a couple of things to break right to make the postseason. Here's how the Seahawks could claim the last playoff spot in the NFC.

Seattle Seahawks Playoff Scenario

On their end, the Seahawks need to defeat the Los Angeles Rams at home. That shouldn't be too difficult on the surface, as the Rams are 5-11 overall (1-6 on the road) and have lost eight of their last 10 games -- including their Week 13 tilt against Seattle. Los Angeles has been playing better since acquiring Baker Mayfield, however, going 2-2 since his arrival.

The Rams may be out of the race, but they're still playing hard for Sean McVay and will put up a fight, especially against a Seahawks squad that has lost five of its last seven.

Seattle also needs the Green Bay Packers to lose to the Detroit Lions at home. The Packers have surged back into the playoff picture with four straight wins, but the Lions are even hotter after winning seven of their last nine.

Based on the odds, Seahawks fans can feel somewhat confident about their team moving on. Seattle is listed as a 6.5-point home favorite against LA on FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL odds, while Green Bay is favored by 4.5 points over Detroit.

Regardless of how Week 18 turns out, the Seahawks have already achieved more this year than anyone expected from them.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.