Fansided
Fansided

The most important player to every NFC teams’ playoff hopes

By Joel Deering

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 16: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball for a 21 yard touchdown, his second of the day, in the fourth quarter of them game against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 16: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball for a 21 yard touchdown, his second of the day, in the fourth quarter of them game against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
NFC teams' playoff hopes - Russell Wilson
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 16: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks scrambles with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Seattle Seahawks (8-6)

Most important player: QB Russell Wilson

There’s no doubt about this one, Russell Wilson is the most important player to this NFC team’s playoff hopes. Wilson is a top five quarterback in passer rating this season. He currently ranks fourth behind Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes and Philip Rivers with a rating of 111.6.

If it weren’t for Wilson being such an effective passer this season, the Seahawks wouldn’t be sitting at 8-6. Last week we saw how Wilson’s effective passing wasn’t enough for the Seahawks, but without him they wouldn’t have even had a chance of winning that game.

Seattle’s defense as a unit may be more important to the team overall. They’re currently ranked tied for seventh in points allowed (20.9). Seattle needs their defense to step up and prevent opponents from scoring, which they’ve been able to do more often than not. This week they’ll have to step up against the high scoring offense of the Chiefs.

While the defense may be the most important unit to this team, there’s not one single player on the defense who can hold the Seahawks’ playoff hopes in their hands. The defense will have to step up against the Chiefs, but Wilson will have to step up even more.

Wilson will have to match everything Mahomes does and more. He may even have to be perfect. Being just one win away from making the playoffs, the Seahawks can’t let this game slip away. Russell Wilson has to be the guy to carry this team to victory, much like he has been all season.

Home/NFL Hot Takes