Scouting report: Stopping Seahawks rushing attack is a big challenge for Panthers
The Panthers will try to end their losing streak at five games when the Seattle Seahawks come to Bank of America Stadium on Sunday. Including the postseason, Carolina is 4-9 against Seattle all-time. Can the Panthers upset one of the top playoff contenders in the NFC?
Here’s a scouting report of the Week 15 matchup:
WHEN THE PANTHERS PASS THE BALL ...
They could have some success. The Seahawks allow the fourth-most passing yards per game (271.2) and the third-most completions per game (25). Part of that is because teams have been trailing against Seattle and pass often, but Carolina might be able to have some success through the air.
The problem for this offense mighty be turnovers. Quarterback Kyle Allen has thrown 12 interceptions this year, in addition to his fumbling woes, and the Seattle defense has 13 interceptions this year (tied for third-most). The Seahawks will be quick to take advantage of any mistakes Allen might make. Without tight end Greg Olsen (concussion) for a second game in a row, the offense will also be without one of its core pieces. Tight end Ian Thomas had a mixed performance filling in for him last week, including dropping two key passes.
The Panthers’ offensive line has been one of the team’s major weaknesses this season, and although Seattle only has 23 sacks (tied for third-fewest with Atlanta) and will be without Jadeveon Clowney in Charlotte, it will likely have some success against this offensive line. Even the Falcons were able to sack Allen five times last week.
Without Olsen and with the current state of the offensive line, it’s hard to give the Panthers the edge.
Advantage: Seahawks
WHEN THE PANTHERS RUN THE BALL ...
The Panthers got away from the run against the Falcons for multiple reasons with Christian McCaffrey finishing Week 14 with his fewest carries of the season (11). To no one’s surprise, offensive coordinator Scott Turner said this week McCaffrey will continue to be the focal point of this offense.
Seattle allows 4.6 yards per carry (eighth-most) and is tied for the third-most rushing touchdowns allowed this year (15). McCaffrey leads the NFL in touchdowns (16) and scrimmage yards this year (1,946). The running back is putting together a career season and should have some success against Seattle, although the Seahawks have only allowed one opposing rusher to go over 100 yards (Cleveland’s Nick Chubb). Carolina should be able to run against Seattle despite the offensive line, unless the Panthers get behind early and are forced to throw. Then there will be trouble.
Advantage: Panthers
WHEN THE SEAHAWKS PASS THE BALL ...
This could get ugly. Russell Wilson is having an MVP-type season. He is second in the NFL in passing touchdowns (26), has thrown five interceptions and completed 66.8 percent of his passes. Wilson’s play this year is a significant reason why Seattle is 10-3.
However, four of his interceptions have come in the past four games, and Wilson is playing behind an underperforming offensive line that has given up 40 sacks. Carolina has the second-most sacks this year (47) and getting to Wilson early and often will be a top priority.
But the Seahawks average 26.2 points per game (sixth-most) and the Panthers have shown an inability to stop any offense over the five-game losing streak. Wilson should have success Sunday and continue his MVP-type ways.
Advantage: Seahawks.
WHEN THE SEAHAWKS RUN THE BALL ...
This is when things could get truly, truly ugly. While they will be without running back Rashaad Penny for the rest of the season (placed on injured reserve this week), the Seahawks still have Chris Carson and the league’s third-best rushing attack (averaging 140.8 yards per game).
Carson leads the NFL in rushing first downs (65) and has had an impressive season. The Panthers, on the other hand, have not been able to stop the run, no matter who has the ball. They allow 139.2 rushing yards per game (fourth-most) and have allowed the most rushing touchdowns (24) by a significant margin. Carolina has given up 100-plus rushing yards in all but two games this year, including allowing 150-plus yards in each of the past two games.
The Seahawks have had a lot of success this year running the ball with Wilson adding 312 yards and three touchdowns. This could be a long day for the Panthers defense.
Advantage: Seahawks
SPECIAL TEAMS
This is tough, because neither of these teams truly excel in this area. Panthers rookie kicker Joey Slye has made 75 percent of his attempts this year, and Seahawks kicker Jason Myers has completed 80 percent.
Panthers punter Michael Palardy is averaging 40.2 net yards on punts this year, and Seahawks punter Michael Dickson is averaging 40.8 yards. Both teams are pretty evenly matched in this area, but Carolina is coming off a game in which Greg Dortch (who has since been waived) fumbled a kick return. It’s unclear exactly who will be returning kicks vs. Seattle (possibly Chris Hogan in his first game back on the active roster from injured reserve) and that loses any edge the Panthers may have.
Advantage: Seahawks
COACHING
The Panthers are led by interim head coach Perry Fewell and have Scott Turner calling the plays for just his second game. The Seahawks are led by Super Bowl-winning head coach Pete Carroll, who hasn’t had a losing season since 2011. Enough said.
Advantage: Seahawks
PREDICTION
The Panthers have lost five in a row and are coming off a loss to a bad Falcons team that featured things getting out of hand early in the second half. Against Seattle it will be much of the same with the rushing attack having its way against the Panthers run defense. Seattle will establish an early lead, and Carolina has shown an inability to consistently come back in games when it is forced to rely on its passing attack. It will be much of the same against Seattle.
Seahawks 38, Panthers 20
