Updated Dec 30, 2012 - 1:08 pm
Pregame notes: Seahawks' Leroy Hill inactive
Greetings from a surprisingly sunny CenturyLink Field, where the Seahawks and Rams are warming up before their 1:25 kickoff.
A few notes to get you ready for the game, starting with the inactives:
Weakside linebacker Leroy Hill highlights the list of players the Seahawks named inactive. He was listed as questionable because of a hamstring injury. Malcolm Smith will make his third career start in Hill's absence.
Right guard John Moffitt is a healthy scratch. Rookie J.R. Sweezy will make his second straight start and third of the season.
Right tackle Breno Giacomini (elbow) is active active after being listed as questionable.
The rest of Seattle's inactives: safety Winston Guy, cornerback Walter Thurmond, cornerback DeShawn Shead, guard Rishaw Johnson and tackle Mike Person.
There are no surprises among the players St. Louis named inactive: quarterback Austin Davis, wide receiver Steve Smith, running back Terrance Ganaway, tight end Cory Harkey, linebacker Sammy Brown, tackle Joe Barksdale and defensive tackle Matt Conrath.
Now, for some playoff scenarios.
The Seahawks need to beat St. Louis to improve their playoff seeding, but they would also need some help. Seattle would win the NFC West and secure the NFC's No. 2 seed and a first-round bye if the Cardinals upset the 49ers in San Francisco and the Vikings beat the Packers at home.
The Seahawks would win the NFC West and lock up the No. 3 seed if they beat St. Louis and Arizona beats San Francisco but Minnesota loses to Green Bay.
The 5-10 Cardinals beating the 49ers on the road seems highly unlikely. Then again, so did Richard Sherman winning his suspension appeal and the Seahawks scoring 150 points over three games. Anything can happen in the NFL.
A Seahawks win or a 49ers loss would make Seattle the fifth seed. They would travel to play the winner of tonight's de facto NFC East title game between the Redskins and Cowboys.
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