Fansided

Predictions for the NFL Divisional Playoff games

By James Simpson II

Dec 22, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks to pass the ball while Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) applies pressure during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks to pass the ball while Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) applies pressure during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

NFC Divisional Playoff

No. 4 Carolina Panthers (7-8-1) at No. 1 Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
Saturday January 10, 2015 8:00 pm on NBC

Cam Newton won his first playoff game Saturday versus the Cardinals and after a rugged defensive performance by Carolina holding the woeful Cardinals offense to 14 points and only 77 total yards of offense, there reward is the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. Carolina finds themselves trying to win a playoff game on the road in the toughest environment to play at in the NFL at CenturyLink Field. Since 2012 (regular season and playoffs combined), the Seahawks are 24-2 at home and by far have the loudest and most ruckus crowd in the league. The Seahawks are probably the NFL’s hottest team heading into the playoffs and showed that by closing the regular season campaign out with a six-game winning streak.

During the Seahawks six-game winning streak, the Legion of Booms’ defense has totally shut down their opponents allowing only 6.5 points per game, 202.1 total yards per game, and have forced 10 turnovers. The Seahawks possess not only the NFL’s best secondary (All-Pros Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Byron Maxwell), but one of the greatest secondaries of all-time. The Seahawks finished the 2014 season ranked first in pass defense, third in run defense, and first in total defense.

Translation: I’m a big Cam Newton fan but there’s no way the Panthers with their mediocre passing game will have any success throwing the football against the Seahawks in this game. It ain’t gonna happen.

The only way Carolina pulls this game out is if they force some turnovers defensively that could result into points or good field position for the offense and running the football will be a key factor as well. Newton had a solid-rock game against the Cardinals (18 for 32, 198 passing yards, 2 TD passes, 1 INT, 35 rushing yards), but he will have to be ten times better to beat a team that’s looking to become the first NFL team to repeat since the 2003-2004 New England Patriots. Carolina’s defense will keep them in the game but Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch will carry the Seahawks offense like they have all season and generate enough points to put this game away in the second half. Seattle is on a mission and I don’t see the Panthers getting in their collective way.

The Pick: Seahawks 30-13

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