It is Christmas Eve but the Seattle Seahawks are still hard at work preparing for their Week 17 game against the Chicago Bears. Seattle is in dire need of a win to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.

The Seattle Seahawks fell just short of a comeback against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16, losing 27-24. Seattle now faces a crucial Thursday night matchup against the Chicago Bears but the team could be without lead running back Kenneth Walker III after he was forced from Sunday’s game with an ankle injury.

It may be the biggest holiday of the year, but the Seattle Seahawks are still on a short week. On Thursday night they'll be visiting the Chicago Bears in their second appearance on Thursday Night Football of the season,

The Seattle Seahawks find themselves in a quite a pickle. One more, for a third straight season, the Seahawks need a little outside help to improve their chances at making the playoffs. At 8-7, Seattle no longer controls their own fate.

The Seattle Seahawks may face insurmountable obstacles on their narrow path to the playoffs. Their only hope of reaching the postseason is to win the NFC West, and they’re a game behind the Los Angeles Rams after Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

If the Seahawks lose to the Bears on Thursday, the Rams could clinch the NFC West with a victory over the Cardinals on Saturday.