Coming off ugly loss, Seahawks still have chance to clinch

Graphic shows NFL team matchups and how theyll fare in Week 15 action; 3c x 4 inches; 146 mm x 101 mm;

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Despite that ugly loss at Green Bay last weekend, the Seattle Seahawks are in strong position to secure the NFC West crown Thursday night.

It's hard to picture the Rams, who just fired coach Jeff Fisher following an equally distasteful loss to Atlanta, getting in Seattle's way.

If the host Seahawks win or tie Thursday night and Arizona loses or ties Sunday, the race is done.

The short turnaround is a mixed blessing to Seahawks star cornerback Richard Sherman. He vehemently dislikes Thursday night games, saying they are a danger to player safety. But getting to forget the blowout at the hands of the Packers comes easier with another game on tap so quickly.

''It's no different than any other loss, honestly,'' Sherman says. ''It doesn't hurt any less if you lose by 20 or by two. They hurt just as bad, it's a loss. It felt the same as any other loss.''

The Rams not only lost 42-14 to the Falcons, which tied Fisher with Dan Reeves for most regular-season coaching losses, but they saw Fisher lose his job the next day. How will they react?

''It was tough,'' running back Todd Gurley says. ''It was tough on a lot of guys. Coach Fisher, he did a great job. He brought everybody in. We loved him as a coach. We know a lot of other people didn't.

''But, at the end of the day, we knew what he did for us. He brought us in. He's the one who drafted me when nobody else believed in me. It definitely hit us hard, for sure.''

Seattle (No. 7 in AP Pro32) is a 15-point favorite over the reeling Rams. Doubt the coaching change makes much difference, especially against an angry bunch of Seahawks.

SEAHAWKS, 30-10

KNOCKOUT LEAGUE TIP: If anybody is still going in such a pool, we didn't help last week with the Colts. Perhaps the TEXANS will be more successful.

No. 8 Pittsburgh (minus 3) at No. 21 Cincinnati

Bengals advertising tickets available. Terrible Towel-wavers grab them.

BEST BET: STEELERS, 27-17

No. 23 Carolina (plus 4) at No. 13 Washington, Monday night

Just a feeling the Panthers will fight until season's end.

UPSET SPECIAL: PANTHERS, 27-24

No. 17 Tennessee (plus 6) at No. 3 Kansas City

Thought about this for Upset Special, didn't have the guts.

CHIEFS, 20-16

No. 4 Oakland (pick-em) at No. 25 San Diego

Thought about this for Best Bet, but uncertain about Derek Carr's finger.

RAIDERS, 22-17

No. 5 Detroit (plus 5) at No. 6 New York Giants

Wish we could be sure about Matthew Stafford's finger.

GIANTS, 17-16

No. 12 Tampa Bay (plus 9) at No. 2 Dallas

Like Titans, Bucs impressing with late run. But Cowboys rebound ...

COWBOYS, 23-20

No. 15 Miami (minus 2) at No. 27 New York Jets, Saturday night

Tannehill injury could keep Dolphins out of playoffs. Jets won't do it.

DOLPHINS, 13-10

No. 26 Philadelphia (plus 6) at No. 14 Baltimore

Ravens absolutely need this one, Eagles playing out string.

RAVENS, 21-13

No. 12 Green Bay (minus 4 1-2) at No. 28 Chicago

Packers absolutely need this one, Bears playing out string.

PACKERS, 27-17

No. 1 New England (minus 3) at No. 10 Denver

Broncos absolutely need this one, Patriots hardly playing out string.

PATRIOTS, 20-15

No. 19 Indianapolis (plus 4 1-2) at No. 16 Minnesota

Colts can't beat Texans in Indy, won't win this one either.

VIKINGS, 16-13

No. 30 Jacksonville (plus 6) at No. 18 Houston

Good chance for Texans to grab control of AFC South again.

TEXANS, 22-13

No. 31 San Francisco (plus 14) at No. 9 Atlanta

Good chance for Falcons to grab control of NFC South again.

FALCONS, 32-13

No. 24 New Orleans (plus 3 1-2) at No. 22 Arizona

What's happened to the Saints' prolific offense? Might surface here.

CARDINALS, 30-27

No. 32 Cleveland (plus 10 1-2) at No. 20 Buffalo

First win for Browns? Nope, but at least they will cover.

BILLS, 20-13

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Last Week: Against spread (9-6-1). Straight up: (11-5)

Season Totals: Against spread (99-98-8). Straight up: (123-83-2)

Best Bet: 8-6 against spread, 9-5 straight up.

Upset special: 5-8-1 against spread, 5-9 straight up

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