Seahawks Clinch Playoff Berth: Latest Comments and Reaction

For the fifth consecutive season, the Seattle Seahawks are going to the postseason after clinching the NFC West with a 24-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday.

This has been a different season for the Seahawks than what fans have been accustomed to seeing from them in their previous four playoff appearances.

Their defense is still among the best in the NFL, ranked third in points allowed and 10th in yards allowed, but this is a group that's led the league in points allowed each of the previous four seasons. 

Adding injury to this relative insult is the Seahawks lost their best defensive player and emotional leader when safety Earl Thomas broke his tibia in a Week 13 win over the Carolina Panthers, prematurely ending his season.

Offense has been a challenge for the Seahawks throughout 2016. They were always going to be missing a key ingredient with star running back Marshawn Lynch retiring after his injury-plagued season last year. 

Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus graded Seattle's offensive line as the league's fourth-worst this season heading into Week 11:

"

Make no mistake, this is a terrible offensive line, but the last-ditch attempt to resurrect the career of Justin Britt has at least been a success, as he has been a solid center, with a PFF grade of 80.5. Even Britt’s season has been more inconsistent than good, and the rest of the line has been a complete mess, with terrible play coming from the other four spots, regardless of who lines up there. 

"

As a result of those blocking and protection issues, quarterback Russell Wilson has been erratic with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The running game has struggled to find any holes, ranking 19th in yards per game. 

Despite this doom-and-gloom discussion, the Seahawks continued finding ways to win games. Their Week 10 win on the road against the New England Patriots was one of Wilson's best games of the year. He finished with 348 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-24 victory.

Regardless of some erratic play throughout this season, the Seahawks are going to be dangerous in the postseason once again because Wilson is capable of making plays with his arm and legs, Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham are an excellent wide receiver-tight end duo, and the defense is still capable of shutting down any opponent. 

By virtue of winning the NFC West, the Seahawks are also guaranteed one home playoff game. They have yet to lose at CenturyLink Field in 2016.