Smith has started all 16 of the Seahawks' contests on the campaign, while Howell has played just 25 offensive snaps, all but one of which came when he stepped in for an injured Smith during the second half of a Week 15 loss versus Green Bay.

For one of only three times in more than a dozen years, they are playing a game while eliminated from postseason contention. But the finale to this sputtering, see-saw Seahawks season isn’t meaningless.