The Norman Transcript

National Sports

Discussion

December 30, 2012

Seattle trying to keep momentum

By Tim Booth Associated Press

SEATTLE — No matter how unlikely, Pete Carroll is grasping at the slim chance his Seattle Seahawks still have of winning the NFC West.

Sure the Seahawks would need a win over St. Louis today and help from Arizona to make playing at home early in the postseason a reality. But as long as there remains the chance of Seattle getting a home playoff game, and with it a division title, Carroll is going to try and grab it.

“It’s been great playing at home during the season, and if this is our last chance at it then we want to make the most of it,” Carroll said. “If we can put ourselves in position to come back again, there would be nothing sweeter than that.”

The Seahawks (10-5) close out the regular season hosting improving St. Louis. The Seahawks are already in the postseason thanks to a four-game win streak that was capped by a 42-13 thumping of San Francisco last Sunday. Unless they get a lot of help, the Seahawks will likely be the No. 5 seed in the playoffs and will face the NFC East winner in the first round of the playoffs.

There remains one hope for Seattle to win the division: beat the improving Rams (7-7-1) and get a shocking upset of San Francisco by Arizona. How unlikely is that scenario? The 49ers are more than two-touchdown favorites at home against the Cardinals.

At the very least, a victory would get Seattle to the 11-win plateau for the third time in franchise history, the most wins for the Seahawks since 2005 when they made their only Super Bowl appearance.

No matter how unlikely the chances of getting the division, that slight possibility is a rallying point for Carroll this week to make sure his team doesn’t have a lull after last week’s emotional win over the 49ers.

“It feels good to have 10 wins,” Seattle safety Earl Thomas said. “We definitely want to have 11.”

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
National Sports
  • Coded goal: RG3 still aiming for Redskins’ opener

    ASHBURN, Va. — Robert Griffin III’s rehab started with a “cry festival.” Then came a special new passcode for his cellphone and a chance to hash things out with coach Mike Shanahan....

    May 24, 2013

  • Good day for Kansas squads

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Tucker Tharp and Michael Suiter each had two hits and two RBIs, leading Kansas to a 7-2 victory over third-seeded West Virginia at the Big 12 tournament Thursday night....

    May 24, 2013

  • LeBron hits buzzer-beating lay-up to give Miami early advantage in series

    MIAMI — LeBron James made a layup as time expired in overtime, and the Miami Heat found a way to beat the Indiana Pacers 103-102 in a wild Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night....

    May 23, 2013

  • USC takes 12-shot lead in Athens, Ga.

    ATHENS, Ga. — Annie Park shot a 5-under 67 and Southern California had a record-setting 12-under 276 total Wednesday to open a 12-stroke lead during the second round of the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships at the University of Georgia Golf ...

    May 23, 2013

  • Cavs win lottery again

    NEW YORK — Nick Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers have beaten the NBA lottery odds again....

    May 22, 2013

  • For the Saints, back to business as usual

    NEW ORLEANS — Even as Sean Payton tried to make the best of his one-season bounty banishment from the NFL by spending time with his children, getting in shape and playing golf, he often compared his punishment to prison time....

    May 21, 2013

  • Sports world keeps eye on Oklahoma

    The massive tornado that ripped through a handful of Oklahoma City suburbs grabbed the attention of the sports world on Monday, especially for the players and coaches with ties to the area....

    May 21, 2013

  • Red Wings top Blackhawks to take series lead

    DETROIT — Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through the second period and Pavel Datsyuk restored a two-goal lead in the third to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 Monday night to take a ...

    May 21, 2013

  • Smith, Colon lead Athletics past Rangers

    ARLINGTON, Texas — Seth Smith homered and scored three times, Bartolo Colon pitched seven strong innings for his first win in nearly a month and the Oakland Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 9-2 on Monday night....

    May 21, 2013

  • Savvy Spurs get best of Grizzlies in Game 1 of Western Conference finals

    SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs opened the Western Conference finals resembling the past champions who’ve been there so many times before....

    May 20, 2013