You could see a game like this coming; I certainly did.  The best the Seahawks could’ve hoped for was a high-scoring shootout, because you knew with all the injuries to the defense, the Rams would have no trouble moving the ball.  It was only a matter of whether or not the Seahawks’ offense would show up.  Would this be another slow start for Russell Wilson and the boys?  Well, again, given how this Rams defense – anchored by Aaron Donald and Co. – has always been really tough against us, and that was BEFORE Wade Phillips The Greatest Defensive Coordinator Of All Time took the helm, yeah, a slow start was pretty likely.  Things just kept piling up and piling up and before you knew it, the Seahawks lost 42-7 at home.

The one thing that did surprise me a little bit was how poorly the special teams played, giving up long punt return after long punt return.  But, I think that’s an indication of how banged up this team is.  You get hurt on defense, you pull from special teams to fill the holes, and now you’re weaker everywhere as a result.

There isn’t anything good to say about any of the Seahawks in this game, so I’ll spare you some half-assed attempt at regurgitating the stats.  Every single person was terrible.  I will point out that Bobby Wagner ended up starting, even though he was clearly limited, and looked terrible until he was mercifully pulled from the game after it had gotten out of hand.  Earl Thomas said something to the effect that he probably shouldn’t have been out there, followed by Wagner going on Twitter to call him out.  So, that’s how it’s going in Seahawksland, everyone.

The Seahawks are now 8-6 and in the 8th spot in the NFC playoffs.  And yet, they still have a chance – however remote – to sneak into the playoffs as a 6-seed.  First and foremost, they need to win out (obviously).  That’s next week, in Dallas, with Ezekiel Elliott returning from suspension to rush for 200+ yards on us, and then in the finale, at home, against the hapless Cardinals.  The Rams may be elite, the 49ers may be on the fast track for immediate success, but at least we’re not Cardinals fans, you guys.  That may be the silverest of linings I can think of.

Anyway, on top of winning out, the Seahawks need the Falcons to go 1-2, because of their head-to-head loss to them on Monday Night.  The Falcons play in Tampa tonight, which means they need to lose their final two games:  at New Orleans and vs. Carolina.

Then, because of tie-breakers, the Seahawks need the Lions to finish 1-1.  They play at Cincinnati and vs. Green Bay.  So, either we hope for a miracle in Cincy, or we hope Aaron Rodgers is still playing in a meaningless football game (for the Packers) two weeks from now.

So, as you can see, it’s not a great set of odds, but the Seahawks haven’t been officially eliminated.

But, I mean, why would you root for that?  If you’re a Seahawks fan, why would you want to see THIS team make the playoffs?  Just so they can get destroyed again against the Rams in the Wild Card round?  What does that get you?

For what it’s worth, I believe the point is moot, because I think the Seahawks will lose down in Dallas next week.  And I think it’s a coin flip that we beat the Cards in Week 17.  8-8 is still very much a possibility, which is a total bummer.

There’s going to be a lot of talk about blowing it up and rebuilding this week, and in the weeks ahead.  It’s not going to be fun.  Then, it’ll be baseball season and that won’t be fun either.  Sports around here are going to be pretty hard to watch for a while.  Happy Monday, everyone.