Panthers look for redemption in playoff rematch vs. Seahawks

Also in the divisional round of the playoffs, Seattle bested Carolina by a score of 31-17 in the Pacific Northwest. Those close games will prove helpful when they take the field this weekend. Seattle survived the wild-card round thanks to a hooked 27-yard field-goal attempt by the Vikings’ Blair Walsh.

Al McMordie’s on a WHITE-HOT 68-32 RUN his last 100 plays! The Seahawks face the Carolina Panthers in a playoff game Sunday; a key matchup will be Baldwin against Panthers cornerback Josh Norman. In Week 8 at Carolina, Irvin sacked Newton twice late in the game to allow Russell Wilson to drive down for a hard-fought 13-7 win for the then defending Super Bowl Champs. The Seahawks have won their previous two NFC championships while the Panthers own an NFL-best 15-1 win-loss record. Both teams struggled to move the ball in freezing temperatures in Minnesota last week, and Lynch will likely return to his normal workload this Sunday. He’s worked hard, he’s busted his ass and he cares and wants to do it. But he has to feel it. In his five season, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has never been flagged for the foul. If they keep Wilson in the pocket he has to try to see over the tall linemen but if he gets outside he can run or pass.

The Seattle defense was better, however, in the most important department – keeping opponents off the scoreboard. The offensive line loves to block for him, the Panthers will have to gameplan a little bit more to stop him, and it’s just more depth and talent at the running back position.

Seattle was ranked second in the league this year in total defense and I believe will cause an turnover in the game.

But the most intriguing matchup may be Carolina’s No. 1 scoring offense against Seattle’s defense, which allowed the fewest points in the National Football League this season.

Carolina RB Jonathan Stewart has been cleared to play after missing the last three games with a foot injury.

On the other sideline, there is Cam Newton.

With the running back injury of Lynch this season, everything has been on Russel Wilson’s shoulders and he put them back in the playoffs.

When you throw in Seattle’s recent dominance over Carolina (the Seahawks have won four of the past five meetings, including a home division-playoff victory last year), it’s easy to see why the upstart Panthers relish this chance to slay the reigning NFC kings. He had the hottest streak of any QB this year. He’ll be under pressure to only live up to his MVP status and continue a dream season for the Panthers. Winning in Seattle is huge, and the Panthers took a massive step with that victory.