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The No. 12 ranking for the Seahawks' offense is a little better than you might expect given how up and down that group has been while dealing with Russell Wilson's finger injury and the absence of their best running back, Chris Carson, for most of the year. They struggled in two of Geno Smith's three starts and in the first three games of Wilson's return, but the Seahawks have hit their stride over the past two. More surprising is how their defense is that low despite allowing the fifth-fewest points in the NFL. Most of their success has come against lesser quarterbacks, with Aaron Rodgers as the biggest exception. They held rookie Davis Mills and the Texans to 13 points on Sunday, but Seattle will get a tougher test this week against Matthew Stafford and the Rams. -- Brady Henderson

Well, hello, Rashaad Penny. The former first-round pick became something of a forgotten man in Seattle as a series of injuries stunted his NFL trajectory, but all that will be forgotten if he keeps playing like he did on Sunday against the Texans. Penny sliced up the Houston defense for 137 yards and rushed for scores of 32 and 47 yards in a 33-13 win. He did this despite Alex Collins being back in the lineup, which should tell you Pete Carroll is feeling good about riding with Penny down the stretch, if the 25-year-old's body is up to the task. Look closely, and you can see the slightest glimmer of hope for the Seahawks in the NFC playoff race.

They've won two straight to keep their playoff hopes alive. They would likely have to win out, which won't be easy.

After all the adversity he's faced, nice to see former first-round RB Rashaad Penny explode Sunday. His 137 rushing yards and pair of TDs on the ground were both career bests.

Worst-case scenario: The win in Houston in Week 14 isn't a get-right game, and after Wilson is sacked six times and throws three interceptions against the Rams in Week 15, he walks to an interview podium and says: "I want to be traded, and I wanted to be traded all along." So much for a happy holiday season in Seattle.