Seahawks/NFL News

The Seahawks now own the best record in the NFL as Week 16 of the season nears a close.

With Denver’s loss to Jacksonville, Seattle now sits in a three-way tie for first place in the league with the Broncos and New England Patriots at 12-3. The playoff picture is nearly set in the NFC, with the Eagles, Bears, Rams and 49ers all having clinched playoff spots along with the Hawks.

Seattle’s upcoming game in Carolina next Sunday will have massive postseason implications, as the Seahawks try to secure a first-round bye and the Panthers look to clinch a playoff spot.

Meanwhile, Week 16 of the season caps off tonight as the San Francisco 49ers try to keep pace with the Seahawks when they travel to Indianapolis to face Philip Rivers and the Colts. Coverage begins at 4:00 and kickoff is at 5:15 on KPUG.

 

A former Seahawks is in hot water with the league after a viral moment yesterday.

CBS footage from the Steelers’ game against the Lions shows DK Metcalf talking to a Detroit fan before appearing to shove them.

Reports have circulated on social media that the fan used a racial slur toward Metcalf and called Metcalf’s mother an inflammatory word. But lawyers for the fan released a statement today denying any hate-based language during the incident.

The league is reviewing the incident and Metcalf could face discipline.

Speaking of suspensions, Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall will miss their upcoming game against the Panthers. The league has suspended Hall without pay for stepping on the legs of a Rams offensive lineman at the end of last Thursday’s game.

Kraken News

There’s good and bad news for Kraken fans coming out of the weekend.

The team snapped their four game skid on Saturday with a 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. It was just their second win in 12 games.

It came as the team announced today that defenseman Brandon Montour will miss at least four weeks after getting hand surgery. Montour has six goals and 10 assists in 27 games this season.

The Kraken will try to get by without him tonight against Anaheim in the penultimate leg of their West Coast road trip.  Coverage begins at 6:30 and puck drops at 7 on KGMI.

Local Recreation News

Skiers and snowboarders rejoice – today was Opening Day at Mt. Baker Ski Area.

WSDOT reopened the Mount Baker Highway yesterday after a landslide forced it to close for several days last week. That allowed the ski area to have Passholders Day yesterday and open the mountain to the general public today.

It couldn’t have come at a better time, with the mountain receiving 60 inches of new snowfall over the past four days.

HS Basketball News

High school basketball is back on the radio.

The Lynden Christian boys are hosting Arlington this afternoon in a highly anticipated rematch.

The Lyncs are eying revenge after falling to the Eagles in a 92-90 thriller last season. It won’t be easy against a 4A Arlington squad that owns a 7-0 record.

Coverage begins at 2:30 and tipoff is at 2:45 on KGMI with Jason Upton and Rick Todd on the call.

 

Elsewhere around the county…

The LC girls are at Arlington.

The Lynden boys are at Bothell.

The Nooksack Valley boys host Lakewood.

And the Bellingham girls host Edmonds-Woodway.