This should be an awesome matchup between the neighborhood bully and the new kid on the block. Both are similar, have so much in common, and yet big game experience makes the matchup kind of one sided in the Seahawks favor.
After going through mid-season identity crisis, both teams are now rolling, using a strong running game and defense as propellers to winning streaks to close out the season.
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Players To Watch:
Cam Newton played like a top-five NFL quarterback through mid-October, and used his harrowing car wreck as motivation to let it all hang out each time he takes the field. For the Panthers to upset the Seahawks, Newton will need to display pinpoint accuracy and better touch than he has typically shown.
Seahawks’ front seven vs. Panthers’ revived ground attack:
Jonathan Stewart is the NFL’s leading rusher over the past six weeks, averaging over 100 yards per game. Since Week 13, the tandem of Newton and Stewart is averaging 148 yards on the ground versus 132 for their counterparts, Wilson and Lynch. This will be a strength-on-strength matchup, as Seattle’s defense has limited opposing running backs to 298 yards and one touchdown on 105 carries since All-Pro middle linebacker Bobby Wagner returned from a turf toe injury in Week 12.
Random Notes:
Russell Wilson has started 53 games since entering the league in 2012. His team has held a lead in every single one of them.
Seattle is the first team since the 1969-71 Minnesota Vikings to lead the NFL in fewest points allowed for three consecutive seasons.
Carolina’s best shot at winning is keeping Wilson contained in the pocket. It helps that Carolina plays a lot of zone coverage. Defenders in man coverage turn their backs to the pocket while zone defenders always have eyes on the quarterback.
Wilson will likely have two different spies on each play.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 21, Carolina Panthers 13