Seattle Seahawks vs Carolina Panthers Schedule, Odds and Point Spread

Before that, they had lost four times in three seasons to the Seahawks, including 31-17 in the divisional playoffs last January in Seattle.

But this time it’s a little different. On to this game today, Carolina is looking to dethrone the Seahawks, a team that has played in two straight Super Bowls representing the NFC.

Some of that stems from Carolina’s 27-23 win over the two-time defending NFC champions in Week 6 when Cam Newton connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen with 32 seconds left.

The Panthers say that win helped spark their 14-0 start.

“He makes magic out of nothing”, said cornerback Josh Norman, whose words could describe both Wilson and Newton. “We understand that we have to make sure we’re playing good team defense”. Defensively, the Seahawks were their usual dominating selves against the Panthers – with the exception of the fourth-quarter collapse that became all too familiar early in the season. And it’s basically because the quarterback is such a dynamic part of it. They’re willing to run the quarterback inside, outside, lead plays, powers, all of the read stuff. With yards and points figuring to come at premium with two outstanding defenses, keeping Newton from getting loose will be among Seattle’s top priorities.

SEATTLE WINS IF… the Seahawks can get their offense back on track, led by their running game.

Will Marshawn Lynch play in Sunday’s divisional round playoff game against the Carolina Panthers? Rounding out the report is wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr.

The rangy All-Pro middle linebacker missed the first mid-October meeting with Carolina, a 27-23 Panthers victory, with a pectoral injury.

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is expected to play this weekend, as he sent a two word message to ESPN’s Kenny Mayne, stating “I’m ready”. It is 5-2 when trailing by nine points or more in postseason since 2010.

The final tally was shiny and impressive, yes, but even the Panthers realize that winning 15 of 16 regular-season games ultimately proved nothing. Wilson threw three touchdowns and Newton threw a 90-yard pick-six to Kam Chancellor in the game. The line favoring the Panthers declined from “3” to “1 ½” in some precincts.

This team strutted its way to a 15-1 record, ruffling some feelings by their opponents along the way while scoring a league-most 500 points. The quarterback has five games with a passer rating of 104.6 or better, and he has a career playoff passer rating of 93.9 that ranks seventh all-time. His 45 TDs are tied for most ever by QB. Carolina ranked fourth in the league against the run at 88.4 yards per game.

Carolina’s Graham Gano had five kicks blocked during the regular season, including four field-goal attempts. The combination of having a high octane offense and a defense that doesn’t allow enough yards needed in order to keep up with the offense is what led to the Panthers incredible season.