Seahawks - Panthers | 3 to watch: Russell Wilson, Greg Olsen, Kam Chancellor

Joseph Person’s three things to watch in the Carolina Panthers’ NFC divisional game against Seattle:

Panthers’ pass rushers can’t give up contain

The Panthers’ defensive ends, particularly speed rusher Mario Addison, have to be careful not to overrun Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and surrender the edge. Carolina kept Wilson pretty well contained in the first meeting, with the exception of a 24-yard scramble in the second quarter. Defensive end Ryan Delaire rushed too far upfield and right tackle Gary Gilliam steered him past the pocket, giving Wilson a path around the end to run. Defensive tackle Kawann Short, who sacked Wilson twice Oct. 18, was able to push center Patrick Lewis back toward Wilson several times. If Short can get pressure again, it’s incumbent the ends are in position to keep Wilson from breaking out for a momentum-changing play.

Move Greg Olsen around

Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula did a nice job this season at Seattle of putting Olsen in different alignments. The Pro Bowl tight end had a big game, with seven catches for 131 yards and the winning touchdown. Olsen accounted for Carolina’s four longest plays, all during the second half when the Panthers mounted their comeback. On those four plays Olsen twice was flexed just off right tackle Mike Remmers. He also lined up in a three-point stance and another time was in the slot. Those varied looks put Olsen in several favorable matchups against the Seahawks’ zone coverages. Because of Olsen’s success in the first matchup, Seattle might try to jam him at the line. The more Shula can move Olsen around in the formations, the better.

Beware the block

Carolina’s Graham Gano had five kicks blocked during the regular season, including four field-goal attempts. Protection issues came up in last year’s playoff loss at Seattle, when Kam Chancellor twice vaulted the line in unsuccessful attempts to block a Gano field-goal attempt. The Seahawks indicated the Panthers were giving away the snap count. And after Gano’s fifth kick was blocked this season, coach Ron Rivera suggested the unit change its cadence. Seattle survived the wild-card round thanks to a hooked 27-yard field-goal attempt by the Vikings’ Blair Walsh. But Pete Carroll said a near-block by Richard Sherman earlier prompted Walsh to speed up his approach. In a game that could come down to a field goal, the Panthers can’t afford a slip-up from their kicking unit.

This story was originally published January 16, 2016 at 8:02 AM with the headline "Seahawks - Panthers | 3 to watch: Russell Wilson, Greg Olsen, Kam Chancellor."