Seahawks vs Panthers, what they’re saying
By Dan Viens
Analysts are split on who holds the edge when Carolina hosts Seattle on Sunday.
Finally the Seahawks can adopt the “underdog mentality” they feel so comfortable with, because this time they are underdogs.
Even in Minnesota last week they were a 5 point favorite, built on the strength of their impressive 8-2 run to finish the season. But as they get set to travel to Charlotte, NC to take on the #1 seeded Panthers, most expect them to come up short.
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Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed Carolina as a 3 point favorite.
And here’s a look around the nation at what others are saying:
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell ranks the Seahawks as having the 7th most difficult road to the Super Bowl, just ahead of Green Bay:
"“The issue, instead, is that the Seahawks are probably going to require road victories over the Panthers and Cardinals to win the NFC. You can say that the Seahawks did manhandle the Cards in Arizona in Week 17, of course, but that’s also just one game. And, in the other 15 home games those two teams combined to play this year, they went 14-1 and outscored their opposition by 15.2 points per contest. Even if the Packers upset Arizona, Seattle would still have to beat Green Bay at Lambeau in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game. That’s also a tall order.”"
Former Bears’ Head Coach Mike Ditka heaped praise on the Seahawks:
"“(The Panthers) are going to have to beat a very good football team in Seattle. Seattle’s the bully on the block,” Ditka said. “They’re going to come in and they’re going to punch you in the mouth. And if you can’t take it, they’re going to beat the hell out of you. That’s all there is to it.”"
…..and then he picks the Panthers to win, and eventually advance to the Super Bowl.
But others are showing a healthy respect for Seattle’s ability to go on the road and knock off the NFC’s top seed:
Jeff Dooley of Pro Football Focus lists 3 reasons the Seahawks are a “nightmare matchup” for Carolina:
- When under pressure, Cam Newton is a below-average passer. And the Seahawks have one of the best pass rushes in the NFL.
- The Panthers have just one elite pass-catcher in Greg Olsen. And the Seahawks’ pass coverage has improved a lot since the teams’ first meeting.
- The Panthers’ pass coverage has looked more vulnerable recently. And Russell Wilson played a great game in the teams’ Week 6 matchup.
But perhaps the most fascinating early take on this week’s match up comes from Kenneth Arthur, who wrote a piece for Rolling Stone speculating that Panthers vs. Seahawks might just shape up to be one of the NFL’s best rivalries for the next decade. Primarily he cites the contrasts between the two dynamic young QB’s as the most obvious reason, as well as the void left by the impending end of Brady vs. Manning:
"“Of course, in order to replace Brady vs. Manning, that rivalry actually has to end. The Broncos and Patriots are the top two seeds in the AFC right now, and if they win next week, they’ll duke it out for perhaps the final time in the AFC championship game. But a week sooner, and over a decade younger, the next generation of the NFL’s best rivalry is just getting started. It’s Cam vs. Russ. Cat vs. Bird. Dab vs. Divinity. Who you got? Everyone will be choosing a side by Sunday.” —Kenneth Arthur, Rolling Stone"
Next: Panthers to face different Seahawk team this time
A fascinating take, and one worth considering as we watch the game Sunday. Regardless of who wins, and there doesn’t seem to be much of a consensus as to which team that will be, this could be the beginning of a long stretch of epic January battles between Carolina and Seattle.