The Seattle Seahawks got a desperately needed victory last week over the rival San Francisco 49ers, 30-23. It was the first game since quarterback Russell Wilson returned from his broken finger that he looked like himself. Wilson completed 81% of his passes for 231 yards and a couple scores.

With the win, plus a lot of the conference coming back to the pack, Seattle might have saved its season. The added seventh playoff spot makes it still possible for this team to play beyond the regular season. But in order for that to happen, they are going to need Russell Wilson to keep cooking like he did last week.

For more insight on the Seahawks' Week 14 matchup against the Texans, listen below:

Here are four bold predictions for Seattle against the Houston Texans.

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Seattle Seahawks Week 14 Predictions

4. Seattle's defense will score more points than it allows

This is certainly a bold take, but this prediction has as much to do with the opponent as it does Seattle.

The Texans have yet to announce who will be their starting quarterback Sunday. On Monday, it was announced that Tyrod Taylor is considered week-to-week with a wrist injury. However, Taylor was able to get in a limited practice session Wednesday.

Davis Mills also got in a limited practice Wednesday. The rookie quarterback has been ghastly when on the field, with six touchdowns and seven interceptions. He threw two of those touchdown passes trailing by 30 points in the fourth quarter against Los Angeles Rams backups in Week 8.

Aaron Wilson reported that the belief is that Mills will get the starting nod:

Ultimately, it does not matter who starts. Mills will throw a couple picks, one of which will get returned for a score. Taylor will hold the the ball too long and get strip-sacked for a score. Either way, the Houston offense is so dreadful, even the Seahawks should feast on it.

3. Pete Carroll will continue with the trick plays

Last week, on Seattle's opening drive of the game, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll threw the kitchen sink at the 49ers. They ran a fake punt on a fourth-and-6 from their own 27-yard line:

Running back Travis Homer took the direct snap, ran off tackle and was gone for the 73-yard touchdown. Homer showed more burst and speed on that play than any Seahawks running back all season. Expect to see a little more of Homer this week.

Starting tailback Chris Carson was placed on season-ending IR a couple of weeks ago. Backup running back Alex Collins has failed all season to fill in for Carson.

That leaves a combination of Homer, Rashaad Penny and Adrian Peterson as the team's backs. Seattle signed Peterson last week with the injury issues at the position.

Houston might be prepared for a fake punt after watching the film from last week. So, look for Carroll to try a fake field goal or be uber-aggressive on fourth down and with his play calling.

2. Russell Wilson will be allowed to cook again

Travis Homer has game-changing speed, but is not a between-the-tackles runner. Rashaad Penny is very similar and Peterson is showing his age. He is averaging 2.6 yards per carry this season for the Tennessee Titans and Seahawks. Plus, the Seahawks' run blocking is awful.

What's the recipe when playing a bad defense? Let Russ cook, that's what.

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Last week was the first time since Week 1 that both Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf had at least 60 yards receiving in the same game. Expect to see that again Sunday, as Wilson will drop more dimes like this:

1. Seattle wins and inexplicably joins the playoff hunt

After the Seahawks win this game, they suddenly will find themselves with an outside shot at the playoffs.

That seemed impossible less than two weeks ago. Seattle was 3-8, the offense looked completely broken, the defense was blah. Carroll might have been on the hot seat. It looked bleak to say the least.

But after improving to 5-8, there is a decent chance they are right in the mix for the final Wild Card spot. The teams they are currently tied with in the standings, the New York Giants and Chicago Bears, are probably losing Sunday.

Then there is a group of teams a game ahead. More than likely, each one will lose a couple more games down the stretch. Then, take a look at Seattle's schedule. After defeating the Texans, Seattle travels to Los Angeles to face the Rams.

That sounds daunting, but the Rams still have not looked like themselves. That will be the biggest challenge on the schedule, but if the Seahawks can pull off that upset, they have the Bears and Detroit Lions after that. In this scenario, when Seattle plays Arizona in Week 18, the Cardinals would have the division on lock and might have the No. 1 seed locked up.

So there is a path to a 8-9 or 9-8 finish. In the NFC this season, that might be good enough to get in.