Carolina Panthers (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) vs. Seattle Seahawks (2-3 SU, 1-3-1 ATS)
NFL Week 6
Date/Time: October 18, 2015 4:05PM EST
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA.
TV: FOX
by WILSON, NFL Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: CAR +6.5/SEA -6.5
Over/Under Total: 41.5
The undefeated Carolina Panthers will fly to the Pacific Northwest this weekend to take on the Seattle Seahawks. This game will be huge for the Hawks at home after a disappointing loss on the road last week to another undefeated squad in the Cincinnati Bengals (5-0). The Hawks blew a 17 point 4th quarter lead and ended up losing in overtime on a 42-yard field goal by Mike Nugent of the Bengals. Meanwhile, Carolina is coming off of a bye week and sporting a 4-0 record with their last win over Tampa Bay on October 4, 37-23.
Las Vegas and offshore sports books opened the line on this game with Seattle -7 and a total of 41.5. The key matchup in this contest will no doubt be the QB play as Cam Newton lines up behind center for the Panthers and Russell Wilson leads Seattle. Both QBs have a similar skill set and the capability to take over a game especially with their running abilities.
For Seattle, Russell Wilson and company have been anything but consistent this season and that proved true again in the loss last week to the Bengals. The Hawks punted the ball away on 6 straight possessions at one point during the game. Here are the main concerns for a not-so-intimidating-anymore Seahawks crewthere offensive line has struggled to protect Wilson, Marshawn Lynch remains questionable to play, and Seattle still has not found a way to utilize All-pro TE Jimmy Graham, he is almost a non-factor at times. None of Seattles drives lasted more than 6 plays last week and Wilson continued to run for his life a lot more than he is used too. Seattle is lucky to remain a favorite even at home otherwise this game may lean more towards the Panthers. The play calling and personnel on the field for Seattle at times is under question especially last weekend when rookie RB Rawls had 23 carries for 169 yards yet the Hawks went with Fred Jackson
for the first possession in overtime? It will be a challenge for Seattles O-line to hold off a hungry Panther defensive line.
Defensively, Seattle has shown why they have been so successful in the past two or three seasons but they have also shown they can crash and burn thus the 17-point collapse last week and a near collapse the week before on Monday night to Detroit if Kam Chancellor fails to knock the football loose from a would-be scoring Calvin Johnson. In Seattles defense (no pun intended) they did make some good adjustments last as they moved Richard Sherman across the field to shut down Bengals WR A.J. Green after he easily beat Cary Williams on a couple early routes. Williams may be a liability as he struggled this week with penalties and getting beat. Hes a veteran but hes been allowing too many big plays lately. Defensive injuries for Seattle in this game were Middle Linebacker Bobby Wagner (shoulder) he returned to the game but DT Jordan Hill left the game for good with a quad injury.
Carolina and Seattle are nearly identical on paper. But it will be a home field, 12th Man advantage in Seattle. The Seahawks lead the series 7-2 and beat the Panthers most recently last season on January 10 in Seattle 31-17 in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game. The Panthers will certainly be looking to avenge last years playoff loss.
Carolina comes into Seattle ranked No.4 in rushing with 132.25 yards per game and 30th in passing with just 189 yards per game. Seattles secondary defense has been human as of late but they will hold Newton in check. It will be a battle of QB play coupled with the running game and if one of the QBs (Newton or Wilson) can sneak a long ball every so often.
Head to Head these teams are 4-4-1 ATS, 4-5 O/U, average ppg for Carolina against Seattle is 14.33 and Seattle has averaged 19.22. Carolina turned the ball over 3 times last January to contribute to their loss at Seattle. If the Panthers can take care of the football, pressure Wilson and contain him, and keep finding ways to win they should be a contender in this game. I like Carolina to cover the spread and possibly win this game, but they cover regardless. Luck to ya.
WILSONs Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Carolina covers.
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