4 Key Matchups to Watch for Against the Panthers
By Colin Floyd
Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) rushes for a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Marshawn Lynch vs. Luke Kuechly (and Thomas Davis)
When the Seattle Seahawks host the Carolina Panthers, the second best running back in the league, will take on the best middle linebacker in the NFL, as well as the fifth best outside linebacker (all according to Pro Football Focus).
On Saturday, Lynch and company will square off against the first team to reach the playoffs with a losing record since the Seahawks did it back in 2010, the year of the original Beast Quake. In the regular season, Marshawn Lynch broke 88 tackles, most in the NFL and 21 ahead of the next best (DeMarco Murray); Luke Kuechly missed 11 tackles all year and Thomas Davis missed 14.
It will be a fun matchup to watch as one side will have to give way for the other.
Lynch — 1,306 yards rushing; 17 total touchdowns
Kuechly — 153 combined tackles; 3 sacks; 1 forced fumble; 1 interception
Davis — 100 combined tackles; 2.5 sacks; 2 forced fumbles