Peak Russell Wilson gives battered Seahawks a chance in playoffs

The Seattle Seahawks are down. Suggesting otherwise, when their top running backs –- Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise are out for the season -– would be ridiculous. But out? Hardly.

They have Russell Wilson, remember?

Wilson isn’t the only reason Seattle still has a chance in the playoffs -– more on that shortly -– but he’s by far the biggest.

If this weren't the season of Lamar Jackson, Wilson would be at the very least in the MVP discussion. It's remarkable that, despite the eighth-year veteran cooling off after a scorching start in which he threw for 22 touchdowns and one interception in his first nine games, the Seahawks (11-4) could still win the NFC West. Seattle plays host to San Francisco (12-3) for the NFC West title on Sunday night.

Since his hot streak, Wilson has played like a league-average quarterback, but the Seahawks went 4-2 and scored gut-check wins over the 49ers, Eagles and Vikings in consecutive weeks. Even when he hasn’t been at his best, he has found ways to help Seattle win with brilliant late drives, smart use of his legs and pinpoint passing in the biggest moments. Wilson's four fourth-quarter comebacks and five game-winning drives are tops in the NFL.

That Wilson has had a season this good (3,877 yards passing, 29 TDs, 5 picks) is impressive because the Seahawks have many flaws. Their offensive line -- which just lost starting left tackle Duane Brown for at least a few weeks -- has given up 47 sacks, most in the league. That number looks particularly bad when Wilson’s outstanding mobility and elusiveness are taken into account. He has also been hurried on 62 dropbacks, fourth most in the NFL.

Among the Seahawks' other issues is defense far removed from its glory days, ranking 21^st in the league in points allowed and 26^th in yards allowed. It struggles against the pass (22^nd in net yards per attempt allowed) and is even worse against the run (28th in yards per carry allowed). Seattle wins despite its defense, not because of it.

To make matters worse, Seattle is beat up, with defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, safety Quandre Diggs, linebacker Mychal Kendricks, guard Mike Iupati and a host of others battling injuries. All those injuries and a dud of a Week 16 loss to the Cardinals have turned Seattle into a popular choice to get bounced early from the playoffs, even if it upsets the 49ers on Sunday.

If history is any indication, however, Seattle has a good chance at toppling San Francisco. Since Wilson took over as the starter in 2012, the Seahawks are 31-7 after losses.  

Wilson isn’t the only reason to believe in the Seahawks. Running Marshawn Lynch, signed earlier this week, is back. And while there is no guarantee that he will perform like he did for the Seahawks in 2014, when he rumbled for 1,306 yards, there is precedent for a running back coming off the street and contributing to a contender late in the season and beyond. C.J. Anderson did it last season for the Rams. He joined Los Angeles last December, and in two regular-season games, ran for 299 yards. Perhaps owing to fresh legs, Anderson was solid in the playoffs as well, churning out 189 yards on 46 carries over three games.

Lynch apparently has kept in shape, and though he’s 33, the fringe Hall of Famer is a much better player than Anderson ever was. There are no guarantees, but it shouldn’t be surprising if Lynch’s reunion with Seattle blossoms into something more than just a feel-good story.

Lynch could turn into a surprise Robin, but Wilson must be Batman. The Seahawks, who have the worst point differential (0.8 points per game) of any team already qualified for the playoffs, will go as far as he can carry them. The NFC playoff field is perhaps its best ever, but as long as Wilson is healthy, the Seahawks have a chance.