Carolina Hosts Seattle in NFC Divisional Playoff
On Sunday, the final two NFL divisional playoff games will be played with the first in Charlotte, North Carolina when the Carolina Panthers host the Seattle Seahawks. The current line has Carolina favored by 2 points with the over/under point total sitting on 44.
During the regular season, Seattle on the road was 6-3 straight up and 4-4 against the spread. Over their past 10 games, the Seahawks are 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS.
At home, Carolina during the regular season was 8-0 SU and 6-2 ATS. Over their past 10 games, the Panthers were 9-1 SU and 6-4 ATS.
Last week, Seattle escaped what appeared to be certain defeat during the first round of the playoff versus Minnesota but now must play No. 1 seed Carolina. Seattle defeated the Vikings 10-9 when Minnesota’s kicker missed a field goal attempt of just 27 yards during the final minute of play.
Seattle comes in this game looking to avenge a 27-23 loss to Carolina during Week 6. The Seahawks led by 13 points during the second half, but Carolina stormed back for the win. Seattle has six straight wins on the road, and has allowed just 43 points on defense over that stretch.
Carolina won the opening 14 games of the season, before losing its first game, but routed Tampa Bay by 28 points in the last game of the regular season before having a bye last week as the top seed.
Seattle could have Marshawn Lynch their star running back in the lineup on Sunday. Lynch has been out since he had November 25 abdominal surgery. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson had 241 yards passing against Carolina during the regular season and one touchdown.
Cam Newton threw two interceptions in Carolina’s Week 6 win over Seattle, but over his past eight games, has 21 touchdown passes and just one interception.
Jonathan Stewart ran for two touchdowns for Carolina against Seattle this season and returns to the Panthers lineup after sitting out three games with an injured foot.
Top seeds have won 21 of 25 NFC divisional round games since 1990.
Prediction: Carolina this season has the better team, but Seattle has the experience of postseason action of late with two straight Super Bowl appearances. However, having said that the Panthers will control the line of scrimmage and get big plays from Cam Newton. I like Carolina to win and cover.
