Kansas City and Seattle both postponed celebrations they hoped to enjoy last week. Instead, each team comes into Week 16 with unfinished business and the disappointment of tough losses weighing on their minds.
Seattle rolled into San Francisco just two weeks after dismantling the 49ers 43-16 and riding a five-game winning streak. The Niners’ Week 14 win in Denver should have alerted the Seahawks that San Francisco was not mailing in their season in pursuit of a better draft pick.
Pete Carroll says they weren’t lulled into a false sense of security by the Niners’ record as much as they were done in by a team-record amount of penalties.
Either way, the loss kept the Seahawks from clinching a wild card berth. Now they find themselves just a game ahead of the Eagles and Redskins and just a half-game ahead of the Vikings for the first wild-card slot.
The first wild card slot would let the Vikings or Seahawks avoid the Bears (or Rams) in the first round, setting them up in Dallas, instead.
Kansas City lost a chance to clinch the AFC West. Instead, they fell into a virtual tie with the Chargers. The Chargers used a two-point conversion at the end of the game to keep Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs offense from a chance to win the game in overtime.
The Chiefs own the tiebreaker with the Chargers, so they control their own destiny should they win out. The Raiders visit Kansas City in Week 17.
Injuries and notes
Kansas City could be without Spencer Ware (shoulder) for another week, although Damien Williams made sure Ware wasn’t missed in Week 15.
Guard DJ Fluker is still questionable with a hamstring injury. That could be a problem as his backup, Jordan Simmons, ended up on injured reserve after the 49ers game. Seattle rushed for over 200 yards per game while Simmons covered Fluker the past three weeks.
Rashaad Penney is questionable with his ankle injury and safety Maurice Alexander needs to clear the concussion protocol.
Coaching matchup
Two old masters of the game face off against each other, albeit with distinctly different styles. Andy Reid will hold his clipboard and quietly analyze things as they happen. Between offensive sets, he’ll have quiet conversations with Pat Mahomes.
Pete Carroll will put in as many miles as any of his players, running up and down the field and enthusiastically slapping backs and palms.
But they are similar when it comes to success and respect from their players. It will be a treat to watch this chess match.
How to watch the Seahawks-Chiefs game
NBC Sports will broadcast this Sunday Night Football game across the nation. That means you can watch it for free on your favorite Internet-connected device, thanks to Fubo TV.
Fubo TV is a leading provider of internet television services. Along with others like DirecTV Now and Sling, Fubo TV includes the local and national networks you need to follow the NFL all year.
Fubo, DirecTV Now, and Sling are about more than football, though. Each offers dozens of movie and entertainment channels that you pay too much to watch on cable or satellite.
Contract-free monthly subscriptions to Fubo TV, DirecTV Now, or Sling cost a fraction of what you pay for even basic cable or satellite. Plus, they won’t make you drill holes in your walls or put an ugly piece of equipment on your roof.
Check out their websites and sign up for their standard obligation-free trial period so you can watch all of this weekend’s NFL action for free. Then spend the rest of the week watching all your favorite shows and movies on Fubo TV, DirecTV Now, or Sling TV.
Read More : NFL Week 17 Game Preview: Raiders at Chiefs
Who will win the Seahawks-Chiefs game?
Seattle gave the Chiefs a scare earlier this season in Kansas City. The 12th man, plus a bigger sense of urgency to make the playoffs, give the edge to Pete Carroll’s troops.