Seattle Seahawks: 3 Big takeaways from win vs. Panthers in Week 12

The Seattle Seahawks got a huge win against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The 30-27 victory was impressive and came on a last second field goal.

How big of a win was it on Sunday in Week 12 for the Seattle Seahawks? It was huge, astronomical even. That’s an exaggeration, but it didn’t feel like it was after Sebastian Janikowski hit the game-winning field goal with no time left on the clock to help Seattle to a 30-27 win against the Carolina Panthers.

The victory gives the Seahawks a 6-5 record, the same as the Panthers who have now dropped three straight games. On the other hand, this is the second consecutive game the Seahawks have won by a field goal difference. The win has huge playoff implications as it puts Seattle in prime position to snag a wild card spot.

With that being said, my first big takeaway from the game is obvious.

The Seahawks are good enough to make the playoffs

Surprise! Totally didn’t give this one away already…Seriously, though, I was doubting Seattle’s chances of making a real run at the playoffs heading into the weekend. Carolina had just dropped their last two games and the Seahawks had narrowly escaped Green Bay with a win. I thought Carolina was going to get the win on Sunday, but Seattle more than exceeded my expectations.

As it stood right after the game, the Seahawks were the first team out of the playoffs. Essentially they held the seventh seed, if there was such a thing. The Minnesota Vikings, who held the first wild card spot (the fifth seed) early on Sunday played the night game and won. They move up to 6-4-1 and hold onto the fifth seed while the 6-5 Washington Redskins hold the sixth seed.

What it comes down to is one win. If the Seahawks win next week and the Vikings or Redskins lose, then the Seahawks will officially be in a wild card position. Seattle is so close right now, they just have to finish the season strong.