Carolina Panthers (live stream and scores here) football game: Seahawks vs. Panthers NFC Divisional Round of the 2016 NFL Playoffs takes place on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 PM ET and gets underway at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Advertisement
Besides Cam Newton and Russell Wilson, there are six 2015 All-Pro Panthers and the eight Seahawks who’ve made the Pro Bowl since last season.
“It’s weird, because I always play good against Cam”, Irvin said. In their Week 6 contest, the Seahawks got to Cam, sacking him three times and forcing him to throw two interceptions, but that was not enough to secure victory. They have played each other so frequently there is going to be little that comes as surprise to either team in terms of scheme. This is a guy who only watches SportsCenter and game film. The defense has scored fairly consistently for them, but it’s been a great offensive juggernaut throughout the season: “run and pass”. He passed for nine TDs with 17 interceptions and a 67.9 passer rating in the regular season.
It seems like every week Thomas is making a game-changing interception, forced fumble or pass breakup. But at least as of Saturday evening, Lynch was expected to make his first appearance since November 15, when the Seahawks take the field against Carolina.
“No. You get to the end zone, in an National Football League game, you get the right to celebrate”, Seattle Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman said.
The Seahawks have struggled against elite defensive tackles this season: Aaron Donald and the Rams beat them twice, Geno Atkins and the Bengals completed a 17-point fourth quarter comeback, and of course, Short was a part of Carolina’s Week 6 win over Seattle as well. Wilson this season had the task of carrying the offense more than he has ever had to before, and he excelled. There’s no doubt that Lynch makes the offense more physical and open things up for Lockett, Doug Baldwin, and Jermaine Kearse. Seattle has played in the last two Super Bowls, winning one and losing the other on a controversial goal-line play call. “We’re going to need Big Ben to go out there and do something”. Seattle’s secondary has to contain tight end Greg Olsen, Carolina’s best receiver. That’s not very hard to imagine.
Newton tossed for 35 touchdowns and ran for 10 more as the Panthers flirted with regular season perfection, but in the Seahawks he will face one of the NFL’s most feared defenses. But as you’re watching him, enjoy it. He’s enjoying it; you can enjoy his craft.
But there is one tiny difference. “Both players got better as the season went along”.
Not only will the game be played in Charlotte, where the top-seeded Panthers (15-1) have won 11 straight, but the Seahawks face a Carolina team that’s more confident and battled-tested. One of those numbers will have to budge.IMPORTANT INJURIESSeahawks – RB Marshawn Lynch appears set to finally return from his abdominal injury after missing eight games. Lynch only played in seven games this season due to various injuries one including recent hernia surgery.
Seattle’s ultra-quick pass rush – with Irvin motivated by a postseason stage in a contract year, and with zooming ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril – has largely succeeded in the previous five meetings by taking away Newton’s threat to run. Against Carolina, Irvin has seven career sacks of Newton.
Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., running back Jonathan Stewart and safety Kurt Coleman are active for Carolina.
Advertisement
The Seahawks have sacked Newton 13 times and intercepted him three times in five games. With yards and points figuring to come at premium with two outstanding defenses, keeping Newton from getting loose will be among Seattle’s top priorities.
