3 Seattle Seahawks to watch versus Carolina Panthers in Week 3

Seahawks player to watch No. 3 - Quarterback Geno Smith

Geno Smith did a remarkable job handling the Lions pass rush in Week 2. Only suffering one critical sack late in the fourth quarter. Geno threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions. Leading the game-winning drive in overtime and throwing the game-clinching touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett. Smith hopes to continue the success he had in Week 2, with another great performance on Sunday against the Panthers.

Last year, Geno struggled with the Panthers pass rush, as he was sacked three times. Geno threw two interceptions as well, in what was one of his worst starts of the 2022 season. The Seahawks played that game without Kenneth Walker III and were too reliant on Geno for their offensive production. Walker needs to be a bigger factor running the ball in Week 3, if Seattle is going to be successful at slowing down the Panthers pass rush.

The Seahawks are likely going to be without each of their starting tackles again this week. Which means tackles Jake Curhan and Stone Forsythe will need to continue their success from Week 2. Against the Lions, Curhan, Forsythe, and the Seahawks offensive line gave up just one sack. Hopefully, they can produce a similar result protecting Geno in Sunday's game against Carolina.

The Panthers present a stiffer challenge to Geno Smith this week given they rank fourth in the NFL for passing yards allowed. Giving up just 149 passing yards per game against the Saints and Falcons. Geno needs to be better at protecting the football than he did in last year's game against the Panthers. With DK Metcalf able to go after sustaining a rib injury Week 2 and Tyler Lockett fresh off a big performance Geno has two receivers he can rely on. How Seattle uses their tight ends could be interesting as well, as they provide Geno with other receiving options, as they combined for 132 yards receiving in Week 2 against Detroit.

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