Seahawks playoffs chances: Can Geno Smith drive Seattle to playoffs despite back-to-back matchups vs 49ers and Patrick Mahomes?

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was pegged by many to lead the worst team in football in 2022, but he has beaten expectations in a big way.

For most of the season, Seattle has been as competent as all but the biggest powerhouse teams in the league. However, the team has hit a few snags in recent weeks, leading many to question: Will the Seahawks make the playoffs in 2022?

Here's how things stack up for the newly Russell Wilson-less team.

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How can Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks make the playoffs?

Geno Smith at New York Giants v Seattle Seahawks

As it stands, Seattle is 7-6 and in second place in the NFC West. The San Francisco 49ers currently lead the division with a 9-4 record. However, they're facing instability at the quarterback position.

Jimmy Garoppolo will be out for at least the rest of the regular season, leaving third-string quarterback Brock Purdy to take up the mantle.

Despite playing well above expectations in his first two games of action, there is no guarantee Purdy can keep winning. He is also battling his own injuries that have left him questionable.

Put simply, the top team in the NFC West is far from guaranteed from hitting a wall.

That said, the Seahawks are also facing their own instability in the win column. While their quarterback has been surprisingly competent this season, his team has begun to slow down and the schedule has only gotten more difficult.

After dropping a game against the Sam Darnold-led 5-8 Carolina Panthers, Seattle suddenly feels vulnerable.

On Thursday night, the Seahawks will face the San Francisco 49ers, who, for all of their instability, are coming off a 35-7 demolishing of the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game is set to be a toss up and will set the tone for the rest of the season in the division race.

If Seattle loses, it makes a difficult road that much tougher.

Next week, Geno Smith's team will face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Eve. Put simply, this two-game stretch is one of their toughest of the season.

After that, while it gets a little bit easier, it is no walk in the park. Smith will lead a revenge game against the New York Jets before wrapping up the season by facing the Los Angeles Rams in their building.

Heading into Thursday Night Football, the Seahawks can still win the division. However, if it goes poorly, it will leave the team likely scrapping with others for a Wild Card seed.

Right now, Seattle is the top team set to miss the playoffs. Ahead of them are the Dallas Cowboys (10-3), Washington Commanders (7-5-1), and New York Giants (7-5-1).

Geno Smith and Co. will need to find wins over the next month to overtake either the Commanders or Giants. However, the bar for entry is much lower than basically winning out and getting help from the 49ers.

As of December 15, two doors are still open for Seattle to make the playoffs, but if they lose on Thursday, one door effectively shuts unless the 49ers lose out.

Will Geno Smith and the Seahawks get a second wind and complete the upset of detractors who believed the team would fall apart without Russell Wilson?