Super Bowl 54: 5 NFL teams that missed prime opportunity to make Big Game

4. Seattle Seahawks (11-5) – Lost in Divisional Round

While the 49ers were off to a great start, the Seattle Seahawks were right on their tail. When they traveled to San Francisco and won in overtime, Seattle was just a half-game behind the Niners and held the tiebreaker.

When San Francisco lost to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, the Seahawks beat the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle had the division lead using the tiebreaker.

Then they let the season slip. They proceeded to lose two of their next three games, winnable games against struggling teams, the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals. They had a record of 11-4 to San Francisco’s 12-3 heading into the final game of the season.

Despite that, the Seahawks still had a chance to win the NFC West and have a bye. If they beat the Niners on the final game of the regular season, along with their previous win against them in their pocket, Seattle would be the division champs and San Francisco would have to travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles.

Yes, the Seahawks won their game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but because of their seeding, they had to play the Green Bay Packers in the second round instead of a third game against the Niners.

They’d have the confidence of winning two close games against San Francisco and with the game in Seattle they could have come away with another win. Then they’d likely face the Packers in the NFC Championship game. Also, if they won those three games they’d have the number one seed and the game would be played in Seattle, home of the loudest fans in professional sports.

The Seahawks’ season goes to show the importance of the regular season. The Seahawks had two losses against teams they should have beaten. With those wins, they’d have an easier road to Super Bowl 54. Who knows how different things would be.