The Seattle Seahawks enter Week 8 of the NFL season with an under whelming 3-3 record. The Seahawks have lost two games in a row for the first time since Weeks 7 & 8 of the 2012 season. The latest loss came at the hands of the St. Louis Rams in a game highlighted by trick plays on Special Teams and another gaffe from the NFL’s referee committee.
The Seahawks traded Percy Harvin to the NY Jets just days before last Sunday’s game and it took the offense a good quarter and a half to get rolling in St. Louis. However, they did get rolling and put together an impressive second half. It simply wasn’t enough to earn the victory and overcome the Special Teams’ shortfalls throughout the day.
Injuries have also become a mounting issue to overcome for Seattle. They have been banged up and lost several members of the club this past Sunday, with fullback Derrick Coleman breaking his foot in pregame warm-ups and cornerback Tharold Simon leaving the game and not returning. If there is a light at the end of the injury bug tunnel, it seems to be starting to shine, as there is a chance that center Max Unger and cornerback Byron Maxwell will return to the field in Carolina.
After starting the season 2-0, the Carolina Panthers have fallen apart, winning just one of their last five games. Their defense has given up 37 or more points in four of those games, with the only victory during this five game stretch coming at home against Chicago in Week 5 (31-24). However, the Panthers do return home after road games in Cincinnati and Green Bay the past two weeks and should be ready to roll against Seattle.
Here is a deeper look into this week’s matchup and have a peek at what to expect when each team has the ball:
When the Seahawks are on offense
Quarterback Russell Wilson has been a one man highlight reel this season. He has a passer Rating of 101.9 and has thrown 10 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions so far this season. Wilson has also run for 327 yards this season and became the first Quarterback in NFL history to pass for 300+ yards and run for 100+ yards in the same game this past weekend.
After a rough first quarter in St. Louis, the Seahawks offense came alive and almost saved the game for the team. If the offense that showed up in the second half in St. Louis arrives in Carolina, this game might not be that close. The Panthers have the 22nd ranked pass defense giving up just over 250 yards per game. Carolina is ranked 26th in the league in run defense, giving up 137.6 yards per game. Expect a continued focus on the running game from the Seahawks, handing the ball off to Marshawn Lynch and Christine Michael.
Advantage: Seahawks
When the Panthers are on offense
The Panthers are led by quarterback Cam Newton, who has thrown for just under 1,500 yards so far this season, while also leading his team in rushing yards at just 190 yards on the season. Therein lies the problem for the Panthers, who have been unable to establish any semblance of a rushing attack this season.
Despite being gashed by DeMarco Murray two weeks ago, the Seahawks are still sixth in the NFL in defending the run, allowing only 85.5 yards per game. Seattle’s number one priority this weekend is getting pressure on Cam Newton and/or at least containing him. The Seahawks only have seven sacks on the season through six games and they are simply not getting enough pressure in the backfield.
Advantage: Seahawks by a slim, slim margin
Special Teams
Up until last weekend in St. Louis, the Seahawks had one of the most dynamic Special Teams units in all of football. However, they gave up multiple big plays to the Rams and were, frankly, outperformed and out coached. Seattle must find a more explosive player to return kicks and replace Bryan Walters.
That said, the Panthers Special Teams units have been consistently ranked in the bottom half of the league according to Football Outsiders and DVOA rankings.
Advantage: Seahawks
Final Score Prediction: Seahawks 20, Panthers 17
The Seahawks fly to the east coast knowing they can not fall another game behind the Cardinals in the loss column and will find a way to squeak out a victory against the Panthers.