When the Seahawks started the season 2-4, it seemed ludicrously unlikely that they would clinch a playoff berth with two games to spare. When they were 4-5, even making the playoffs at all seemed unlikely. And yet, after Sunday’s 30-13 win over the Cleveland Browns, the Seahawks have clinched a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive year.

There’s lots to potentially discuss about this game, from the continued dominance of Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin, and Richard Sherman to potential playoff matchups. We could talk about how Russell Okung’s calf injury could derail the offensive line’s recent run of good form, or another amazing display from Michael Bennett. Other great potential topics of Seahawk conversation include how offensive coordinator Darrel Bevel got his groove back or how the defense, despite their recent success, seems to be relying a little too much on opponents making mistakes to inspire the confidence that previous Seahawks teams have inspired. We could just talk about how crazy good the Seahawks have suddenly become on third down for a long time.

I don’t care about any of that. Not right now. Sorry, Russ and Doug and Rich and Darrel and Michael and Pete Carroll. Sorry, guys. Get out of my blog post.

And come on into my blog post, Christine Michael. Christine is back, baby! The Prodigal Son has returned! LET’S GO.

Let’s start by catching up those of you new to the Christine Michael party. Who is Christine Michael? A second-round draft pick in 2013 out of Texas A&M, Michael was supposed to dominate with his speed and eventually supplant Marshawn Lynch as the Seahawks’ primary back. This did not happen. Michael had attitude issues and a propensity for fumbling in the preseason that made the team nervous about deploying him when it counted. Michael has a Super Bowl ring with the Seahawks, but never really made an impact. As Thomas Rawls emerged this preseason as an alternative backup for Lynch, Michael was considered expendable and flipped to Dallas for a seventh-round pick. There, he got some run, but didn’t make enough of an impact to stick on the roster once things went south for the Cowboys. The Washington football team then stashed him on the practice squad in case their running-back depth got depleted.

Of course, it was Seattle whose depth went to hell. First, Lynch went down with an abdominal injury that will keep him out until the playoffs. Then Rawls broke his ankle on a routine play, ruling him out until next season. Then someone named DuJuan Harris played some running back for the Seahawks and that was terrible. Desperate, the Seahawks called Michael back into the team, along with former Eagles reserve Bryce Brown.

Of the two (and fullback Derrick Coleman, who got a handful of rushes from the halfback position), Michael was the strongest option, amassing 84 yards on 16 carries. Most impressive was his physicality. Michael will always be a burner moving straight ahead, and will never be the most elusive runner. However, if he can continue to dominate physically in the mold of Rawls and Lynch, he will be able to contribute for the Seahawks at a high level. Also, crucially, Michael showed no issues with ball security, or uneasiness switching which hand he was holding the ball in. Not bad for a guy whom the Seahawks traded away for a seventh-round draft pick a couple months ago.

So yeah, the Seahawks have put the Christine back in Christmas football, and in so doing declared war on those who might oppose their efforts. As the Seahawks make their run into the playoffs, they suddenly look as threatening as any of their opponents, and even their thinnest position is one of strength. And sure, you can say that Michael was a flash in the pan, and was only good against a terrible Browns defense. But why would you say that? What kind of monster are you? I thought we were friends.

We’re friends, guys, right? What if I give you a link to CMike’s mixtape? That’s what I thought.

The Seahawks play the Rams and the Cardinals the next two weeks. Winning those games would be good, because that would ensure the Seahawks get to play whatever joke of a team the NFC East spits out into the playoffs. And it would be great to win those games with some more Christine Michael dominance.