(Photo Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty)

Seahawks bring back Marshawn Lynch

The final weekend of the NFL season is just ahead, and all manner of preparation is underway from coast to coast.

In Seattle, the Seahawks signed former standout Marshawn Lynch to bolster their battered backfield. In Baltimore, the Ravens are planning to sit a number of their starters in the season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Lynch first. The 12-year veteran played with the Seahawks from the early part of the 2010 season through 2015. Remember the Beast Mode reference? That described Lynch’s bullish running style. He gained 6,347 yards with the Seahawks before taking a year off and then playing two seasons with the Oakland Raiders. He hasn’t played in 2019 but Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Lynch, 33, had stayed in shape.

“I think it’s freakin’ great if he could get out there and tote the ball for us,” Carroll said.” The circumstances rolled just at this time, and he could have four or five games left in him. Maybe that’s what we need.”

They need. Indeed. Leading rusher Chris Carson (hip fracture) is out for the season.

The Seahawks (11-4) can win the NFC West with a victory over the San Francisco 49ers (12-3) Sunday night. The same goes for the 49ers. One of those teams will not have a great seed in the NFC playoff bracket.

Have a seat:
The Ravens (13-2) own the AFC’s top seed and won’t risk a number of their starters in a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7). Getting some rest: Quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Mark Ingram II and perhaps as many as five more.

Extra points:
The Green Bay Packers (12-3) clinched the NFC North on Monday night with a 23-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings (10-4). The Packers limited the Vikings to seven first downs.

New Orleans Saints receiver Marquise Thomas is the new holder of the record for receptions in a season. He has 145, surpassing the 143 by Marvin Harrison for the 2002 Indianapolis Colts. Harrison is a Hall of Famer.

Christian McCaffery’s 109 catches broke the record for running back of 107 set by … Christian McCaffery, last season. … Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones’ 19 sacks are a career high.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman