What have we just witnessed?

The most important game of the season with the playoffs on the line.

Final score: Seahawks 7-42 Rams

Merry Christmas.

Todd Gurley running in a 57-yard touchdown with seconds left in the first half, on 3rd and 20, shockingly wasn’t the tipping point.

That came long before the Rams climbed to a 34-0 half time lead.

Bad special teams, Russell Wilson’s -23 yard backwards pass, yet another horrendous start, turnovers, no resistance on defense.

The Seahawks embarrassed in their own backyard.

42-7. In Seattle. At Century Link.

Before we continue, let’s qualify one thing. The injuries, while not an excuse, are a cause. Bobby Wagner was on the field but nowhere near 100%. No Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, K.J. Wright, Cliff Avril. And the rest.

The Seahawks are decimated, clinging to a post-season opportunity thanks to Russell Wilson and a relatively easy schedule.

Now that’s out of the way — let’s get real. Because there’s losing and there’s being embarrassed in your own stadium. A meek surrender of the NFC West, of the season.

Where was the famous grit? The legendary fight and spirit this team has so often showed? Where was the pride, allowing the Rams to come to Seattle and deliver a shellacking?

Why were the Seahawks seemingly so ill-prepared for the biggest game of the year?

Why are they so incapable of getting out of their own way?

What happens now?

Playoffs? Even if the Seahawks win their next two games, which feels like a major stretch, it might not be enough.

The Seahawks gambled on aggressive trades in an attempt to make this a Championship season. Now it feels like their worst since 2009. At least in 2010 and 2011 it was the beginning of the rebuild — with a few memorable moments building towards Seattle’s first Super Bowl win. Young stars were emerging. Momentum growing.

Now it’s starting to feel like the reverse is happening.

If they don’t make the playoffs, which feels likely, they’ll face an off-season with so many question marks. They’ve already spent their second and third round picks in 2018 and their second rounder in 2019.

The scope to overhaul the team in the draft is severely limited as a consequence.

They don’t have the cap room to make major changes in free agency. Several key players may or may not retire. Even if they return, can you rely on ageing players to stay healthy?

What does the future hold for the Seahawks? Good luck answering that one. Nothing it seems should be off the table for discussion after this.

At the very least, big questions have to be asked about how this season has played out and the direction the team is heading.

To think we spent the last few weeks looking at running backs, believing Seattle’s biggest problem is a non-existent running game.

Things are a bit more serious than that, it seems.

This is one game and things can change quickly in seven days. The Seahawks are fortunate they have two weeks to try and make up for this.

Yet it’s the way this played out that’ll have so many people asking previously unthinkable questions this week. The Seahawks don’t lose like this. Not at home. Not in the Pete Carroll era.

At least until today.

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