A little more than two and a half months ago, it appeared the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl aspirations were doomed.

They had just suffered their fourth loss of the 2015 season, courtesy of a 27-23 home defeat to the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 18 leaving the Seahawks with a meager 2-4 overall record. Ironically enough, I was in attendance at the game as a fan with my best friend Tom Winslow. Our seats, which were situated in the first row of the 300 level at CenturyLink Field close to the 40-yard-line, gave us a perfect view of the playing surface. We couldn’t believe our eyes when Carolina quarterback Cam Newton connected with tight end Gregg Olsen on a 27-yard touchdown pass for the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of regulation.

Since the setback against Carolina, Seattle won eight of their final 10 regular season games clinching the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Seahawks are peaking at the right time and are dominating their opponents in every facet of the game. Even though the Kansas City Chiefs have won 10 consecutive games, the Seahawks are the hottest team in the National Football League right now in my opinion.

Seahawks fourth-year quarterback Russell Wilson turned in a most valuable player worthy caliber season as his team’s signal caller. Wilson threw for 34 touchdowns and a mere eight interceptions. He also passed for 4,024 yards and ran for 553 yards, as well. Seahawks’ wide receiver Doug Baldwin had the best season of his career with 78 catches for 1,069 yards receiving and 14 touchdown receptions.

In the season finale, the Seahawks stifling defense surrendered just six points in a convincing 36-6 triumph against the Arizona Cardinals on Jan. 3. For the fourth consecutive season, the Seahawks defense allowed the fewest points in the NFL surrendering a total of 277 points in 16 games.

The passing game is rolling, the defense is dominating and one of most esteemed players in Seahawks history will be making a triumphant return to the lineup just in time for the playoffs. Seahawks’ running back Marshawn Lynch, who has missed the past eight games with an abdominal injury, is scheduled to play in the Seahawks’ wildcard playoff game at 10 a.m. on Sunday on the road against the Minnesota Vikings.

Lynch is the most physical runner in the NFL. His return to the lineup will not only make a huge difference on the field due to his steady production, but will be a spirited emotional lift for the entire team to see one of the most well-liked players on the roster in the huddle once again.

The Seahawks are just three wins away from their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance and are four wins away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in three seasons. The road to a Super Bowl title is going to be formidable (three possible road games in the NFC playoffs), but if the Seahawks do indeed reach their goal of winning Super Bowl 50 they will undoubtedly be crowned as a dynasty. The NFL playoffs have arrived and the Seahawks are clicking on all cylinders.

Shaun Scott is a sports reporter for Sound Publishing.