Oddsmakers have established Seattle as an 11-point favorite against Carolina. Beating the Seahawks in Seattle is perhaps the most extreme challenge in the NFL right now. Here are six things that would have to happen in my opinion for Carolina to get there:
1) Jonathan Stewart has to rush for more than 100 yards. Seattle's secondary is the best in the NFL, so it's no wonder Cam Newton struggles against the Seahawks. Remember what the Seahawks did to Peyton Manning in the last Super Bowl? But Stewart has been on such a roll that a great game from him could be a huge difference and a crowd-quieter (he had 79 yards in Carolina's October loss).
2) Carolina can have no more than one total turnover. Preferably, this number would be zero. I think the Panthers could survive one turnover in some circumstances. More than one? No chance.
3) Never fall behind by more than 10 points. This Carolina offense, against that Seattle defense, in that environment? It's not going to work to have to play catch-up. If the Seahawks get ahead by more than 10, it's over. If the Panthers stay close and don't make big mistakes, though -- in other words, Kelvin Benjamin can't drop a ball in the end zone like he did in October (see above picture) -- they will have a chance in the fourth quarter.
4) Two turnovers from Russell Wilson. You're not going to stop Wilson all the time -- he's just too good. But occasionally he will throw a bad pass, and because he runs so often (and takes some sacks because he is so confident in his running ability) the ball is sometimes available. I think Wilson would need to turn it over twice for Carolina to win.
5) Two big plays by relative unknowns. Remember Fozzy Whittaker's 39-yard touchdown off a screen pass last week vs. Arizona? Or Kevin Reddick's fumble recovery inside Arizona's 5? I'm talking about something like that -- twice.
6) Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis have to be "hellacious." That was Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald's word for Nos.58 and 59 last week after both Panther linebackers played a fantastic game in Carolina's 27-16 win. They will have to be just as good vs. Seattle -- and maybe better.
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26 comments:
I think those are all pretty good must haves. But you forgot a really big one. We can't beat ourselves. To beat Seattle thre, you almost have to play mistake free. No stupid penalties that stall drives, or give Seattle first downs to sustain drives. We need to be mentally smart. I like our chances for an upset. We are due to finally beat them and have plenty of film to watch on how we came up just short last three times. Also, all the pressure is really on Seattle. But I agree, fall behind by more than 10, unlikely we catch up.
#7 Should be Kelvin Benjamin has to hit the JUGS this week!
When everyone talks about the last game vs Seattle and the Panthers red zone failures they don't mention the dropped TD by KB. Just having that TD instead of a FG would have made that last minute Seattle TD only for the tie instead of the win. Also, if we got even a FG instead of the fumble in the red zone it would have been huge. I don't think a TD is going to be necessary every time we get inside the 30 but we definitely can't make mistakes like those mentioned above and come away with 0 instead of 3 or 3 when it should have been 7. Seattle will take advantage of those mistakes.
You forgot one...
KEEP POUNDING
I believe our defense is up to the task. They have really found a nice rhythm lately and can beat them up physically. We need an offensive gameplan that shows some imagination and execute it well to keep them off balance - mostly through the run or dump passes and mix in a little razzle-dazzle. No stupid mistakes and no turnovers! Go Panthers!
GO SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS BY 100
And don't forget, Gano actually has to put the ball between the posts when he kicks it. No more missing "easy" shots.
Happy 53rd Birthday to Ron Rivera!
and...Benjamin PLEASE catch the ball. Forget about YAC...just catch it. GO PANTHERS
If Cam stays healthy and plays the entire game, we have no shot. Now if Anderson can find a way in the game (and I don't care how that takes place!) we can win. GO Cats!
Need to come up with another one 'cause Wilson won't turn it over twice--most likely.
I think the game comes down to 4th down. If we kick a field goal instead of going for it on 4th and short we will lose. I have seen this play out many times with the panthers and our coaches never seem to believe in our ability to convert the down.
I can see needing two turnovers in total but 2 from Wilson isn't necessarily a must have. If everything happens on your list then we win by at least two scores.
Gano's inconsistency scares me. Sign Kasay to a four day contract to have him ready when Gano misses early.
Three things:
1. Let Cam Newton play his game. No huddle, up tempo
2. Stuff the run and make Seattle beat us through the air.
3. Rivera must react to Seattle's half time adjustments.
As long as we have Shuller as the offensive co-ordinator, with predictable play calling, not creative at all, we will never have a chance!!!
I'm predicting that Brenton Bersin will have another dropped punt and that turnover will be a key momentum changer.
Only 1 thing needs to happen, we need to get more points then they do !
I agree with the 6 part.
I think the most important thing for the Panthers is to take the lead first.
Even if just a FG if you score first It will give the Panthers momentum.
How dare you Panther Fans predict that the Panthers will lose in this game or make mistakes! Who do y'all think they are playing 22 men at a time or 11? They are pro Car is pro,they have a scramble QB,Car have a scramble QB,they have a top playing df,Car have a top playing df! They've played this team before early this season,also they are coming off a by playing a team similar to them. I've heard enough on why Car should be scared and worried, lol...."They will Win!!! Get over it Doubters!!!
I love Carolina and have since they were born. But I also know football very well. Without Lotulelei our run D is going to suffer, Lynch will pound the middle, and we'll see Kuechly & TD playing more run support. That's why everyone thinks we'll need a couple of turnovers. Cam's gotta play a Pro Bowl game, KB can't keep dropping key passes, Stewart needs 100+, and Gano's got to regain his form. It's asking for alot for so many good things to go our way in their scary house, no matter how talented the Panthers are. We'll need to score early and stay on the attack - fast and relentless (not Shula's strength) to keep the birds on their heels. If these things fall into place, I LOVE our chances!
Seattle has a great defense but so does Carolina. The two offenses are about equal with maybe Carolina having a slightly more dynamic edge in the run game. What really scares me the most with Carolina is our special teams.
It doesn't matter what the outcome of the game is, the seahawks don't have what it takes to win the Superbowl. You hawks fans are a bunch of robots just jumpin on a bandwagon. Show some originality.
7. shove Greg Olsen five yards
stop drinking the koolaid ... damn ... how many fourth quarter losses have carolina served up to fans in all these years ... let alone the outright embarrassing whoopins ... five years ago i finally got so damn tired of the "but if"s and the "yeah, but next year"s that i threw my panther jersey out the window on the interstate at about 70mph, and GOOD RIDDANCE. panther fans been waiting almost twenty years for that team to grow into something that other teams dread to see on their schedule ... itll never happen ... well, i mean, i guess it could IF sixmiraclesoccurblahblahblah and YEBBUT NEXT YEAR glitchtinkerclangpray ... funny and sad, but mostly funny ... predictable losers ...
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