The Seattle Seahawks have lost two consecutive games, currently possess a 4-5 record and sit outside of the NFC playoffs.
The Seahawks remain optimistic they can still earn a playoff berth with seven games remaining in the regular season. There are valid reasons behind their optimism. Five of their final seven games are at home, where they have historically been tough to beat. In addition, four of the seven games are against an opponent currently with winning percentage of .500 or less.
"I think this team is a championship-caliber football team. I think we've shown that in terms of who we've played and how we've played our games, we've just got to finish the right way," Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson told reporters Tuesday. "We're going to make every attempt to make a championship run and that's our focus right now."
Head coach Pete Carroll cited a historical precedent as reason for optimism.
Carroll recalled the Seahawks 2015 season, one in which they started the season by losing four of their first six games. However, they closed that season by winning seven of nine games - including a five-game winning streak - to capture a wild card playoff spot.
"I think we were right about right here and put on a good little run," Carroll told reporters Monday.
The Seahawks could conceivably run the table in their final seven games and finish with an 11-5 record, which would almost assuredly earn them a wild card berth. Reeling in the Los Angeles Rams (they're currently 9-1) for the NFC West championship is a (very) remote possibility, but posting an 11-5 mark would likely be good enough for an invitation to the playoffs.
Regardless of the scenario, the Seahawks need to start stringing together wins, beginning with Thursday night's game against the Green Bay Packers.
"I think there's a lot of urgency, I think there's a great sense of urgency," Wilson told reporters Thursday. "I think there's laser-focus that we have. I know that this team is very, very capable of doing what we're setting out to do. I think everybody should watch out (for) what we can do."
-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold