No one can seriously be talking about the Seahawks' playoff chances can they?

Well, maybe not so much seriously as theoretically, but yes it's still possible. The San Francisco 49ers have clinched the NFC West title — their first since 2002 — which leaves Seattle a 5-7 longshot for any wild-card possibilities.

Now, those possibilities don't look all that good, but losses by Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago and the New York Giants this week certainly helped. Those are the four NFC teams that are not currently leading their division that have a better record than Seattle. Three of those teams already have seven wins making it unlikely that 8-8 will get anyone in the playoffs which means Seattle likely has to win out at this point, and even then, get some help.

Seattle Seahawks (5-7)

Remaining opponents: vs. St. Louis (2-10); at Chicago (7-5); vs. San Francisco (10-2); at Arizona (5-7).

Remaining opponents collective winning percentage: .500.

Atlanta Falcons (7-5)

Remaining opponents: at Carolina (4-8); vs. Jacksonville (3-8); at New Orleans (9-3); vs. Tampa Bay (4-8).

Remaining opponents collective winning percentage: .426

Atlanta is 3-3 on the road this season, but only one of their final four opponents has a winning record. The Falcons' 31-28 victory over the Seahawks earlier this season also gives them a head-to-head tiebreaker.

Chicago Bears (7-5)

Remaining opponents: vs. Denver (7-5); vs. Seattle (5-7); at Green Bay (12-0); at Minnesota (2-10).

Remaining opponents collective winning percentage: .542.

Jay Cutler is out with a broken thumb on his throwing hand, and the Bears have scored two touchdowns and gone 0-2 in the eight quarters since his injury. Seattle plays at Chicago next week, giving the Seahawks a chance to not only pull a game closer but grasp the trump card of a head-to-head tiebreaker.

Detroit Lions (7-5)

Remaining opponents: vs. Minnesota (2-10); at Oakland (7-5); vs. San Diego (4-7); at Green Bay (12-0).

Remaining opponents collective winning percentage: .532.

Lions have lost five of their last seven games, the offense scoring fewer than 20 points in each of those five losses.

New York Giants (6-6)

Remaining opponents: at Dallas (7-5); vs. Washington (4-8); at New York Jets (7-5); vs. Dallas (7-5).

Remaining opponents collective winning percentage: .521.

The Giants have lost four in a row, but trail Dallas by one game so New York controls its own destiny in terms of winning the NFC East. From a Seahawks perspective, Seattle would be better served if the Cowboys win the NFC East. If the Giants were to win the East, that would leave Dallas in play for a wild-card berth and the Cowboys own a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Seahawks.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @dannyoneil.