Panthers at Seahawks: Game preview, odds, prediction
By Brad Weiss
In a huge NFC matchup on Sunday Night Football, the Carolina Panthers will head west to take on the Seattle Seahawks.
Both the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks took bad losses this past weekend, and will be looking to bounce back when they face each other on Sunday Night Football. Cam Newton and the Panthers lost to the Oakland Raiders in Week 12, as the Raiders came back in the fourth quarter to win the game, 35-32. With the loss, the Panthers fell back into the cellar in the NFC South.
Seattle did absolutely nothing on offense against the Tampa Bay Buccanners last week, scoring only five points in a 14-5 loss. The defense was terrific once again, but the offensive line failed to protect Russell Wilson, who was harassed all game long. They should get center Justin Britt back this week, as he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday.
Also returning for the Seahawks this week are Earl Thomas and Michael Bennett, who like Britt, were full participants in practice Wednesday. They will bolster an already impressive defense, one that ranks first in the National Football League in points allowed. If the Panthers are going to have any chance against the Seahawks, Cam and company will need a pretty solid game plan against a defense that could lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl berth.
Odds
Line: Seattle (-6.5)
Over/Under: 44.5
With the Seahawks or Panthers have represented the NFC in the last three Super Bowl, though the two teams are on different trajectories this season. The Seahawks play in a pretty bad division, so they will likely be back in the playoffs this January. However, the Panthers have followed up their Super Bowl appearance with a pretty inconsistent season, and they will likely be on the outside looking in.
The only hope for the Panthers in this game is to put up points against the Seahawks, which is a pretty tall order. Seattle struggles to put points on the scoreboard, so if the Panthers can get to the Seahawks defense, they should be able to make a game of it. Carolina has the talent on offense to put up points in bunches, but it is not going to happen on Sunday night.
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The spread is nearly a touchdown for a reason, as the Seahawks should roll in this one. Expect a bounceback game from Russell Wilson, and with the players coming back on defense for the Seahawks, it could make for a long day for Cam Newton. This one could get out of hand early, and if Seattle can get the running game going, it could be a pretty lopsided affair.
Prediction: Seattle 30, Carolina 20