The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT Dec. 17, 2011

While it appears the switch has been flipped for the Seattle Seahawks - chances are that no matter how much ground they can make up in the final three weeks, the playoffs may not happen this season.

STARTING OFF the season with only two wins in the first eight games could have been enough to send most teams into rebuilding mode.

It doesn't help that the San Francisco 49ers played more like teams featuring Joe Montana and Jerry Rice instead of the team that struggled through the previous two seasons.

Winning four of the last five games hasn't hurt either, and if Seattle wins its final three games and Detroit loses two of its final three, the Seahawks will go to the playoffs.

Games against Cleveland and Washington were within reach, but those losses could be the reason they are out in the cold of the playoff race.

WHEN THE season began in the NFL, players were being locked out.

Now just, what if, they weren't and labor was achieved in early March.

Chances are that the situation surrounding Peyton Manning and the Colts this season may not have happened.

Granted, Manning likely could have missed the season anyway - but a more suitable backup could have been found with a longer offseason.

Having a choice between signing one of the many free agent quarterbacks available in July or Dan Orlovsky - chances are the Colts have a veteran presence instead of a quarterback that could have a role in leading two teams to 0-16 seasons.

Manning, who at the beginning of the season signed a deal that was believed to make him a Colt for life, could also be looking for work after the season ends.

LOCALLY, I can only imagine just what might have been for a couple high school football teams.

A few hours after a local football team concluded its season, I received a message about a quarterback’s chances of winning a state title after transferring from one North Star League school to another.

Had he remained at his previous school, chances are the football team is better, but not good enough to make a semifinal game.

Thinking about the “what ifs” in sports can consume a sports fan if they let it.

I’ll admit, there are plenty of times that I relive a certain Seahawks game in February five years ago in Detroit and think if it wasn’t for a late interception, just what could have been had they won.

For that, I’m at least grateful they didn’t.

There is no fun in living in the past.

Especially when the future looks pretty bright.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected].