Pete Carroll -- Sitting Down with Matt Lauer ... I'll Explain Myself On 'Today'

Now that he's had some time to think about that stupid play call, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll will once again try to explain himself during a sit-down interview with Matt Lauer.

Unclear if Carroll shot the interview Tuesday night or will do it Wednesday ... but NBC says it will begin to air snippets tonight on "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams."

Question is ... with Marshawn Lynch actively negotiating his next contract, can Carroll say anything to Lauer that will convince Beast Mode to stay in Seattle??