Sunday will be a nightmare for the Seahawks. 3 reasons why:

[Sam Mills Fan]

1.) The Seahawks will be without Jimmy Graham and Ricardo Lockette, their two leading receivers from their previous matchup against the Panthers, because both players are on IR. In their defeat at the hands of Carolina, Graham had 8 receptions for 140 yards. Lockette had 2 receptions for 43 yards and a big touchdown. If Marshawn Lynch doesn't play this week either, the Seahawks will have to turn to a group of inexperienced running backs against a ferocious Panthers defense. Losing those 3 players would mean the Seahawks would have to find a way to replace their combined 11 receptions for 183 yards and 1 TD through the air and 17 carries for 54 yards and 1 TD on the ground. Replacing 237 of their 356 total yards (67% of their total offense) and both of their touchdowns will be a tough challenge.

2.) Kam Chancellor's coverage skills have continued to decline as the 2015 season has gone along. According to Pro Football Focus, his game vs. the Vikings on Sunday was the worst game he's had in coverage in his career. Chancellor was the Seahawks' MVP in their playoff win vs. Carolina back in January, but his coverage skills have fallen off a cliff this season. Look for the Panthers to get tight end Greg Olsen isolated against Chancellor once again. Chancellor struggled in coverage against Olsen in their previous meeting giving up the game-winning score. Olsen had one of the best games of his career against the Seahawks catching 7 balls for 131 yards and 1 TD.

3.) The Seahawks just aren't good playing early games on the East Coast. Under Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are 8-9 when playing in the Eastern Standard Time zone at 1pm. Against teams with winning records, that record dips further to 1-4.

 

For the Seahawks to pull the upset, Wilson will need to play one of the best games of his career. And Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard will need to figure out a why to stop Olsen and probable league MVP Cam Newton, something very few teams have managed to do this season.

[CPcavedweller]

Bobby Wagner and Jeremy Lane (him being back is actually a good thing for us in my opinion though Hawks fans would argue otherwise) are back. Wagner is a difference maker and probably as close to Luke's equal as there is in the NFL right now. 

That said, we all saw how J-Stew was running toward the middle of the year. With a few weeks off, I expect to see a fresh, clean, bowling ball ready to roll. 

Another note: The Seahawks won just their second or third playoff game on the road in Franchise history. 

[X-Clown on 1]

It's only a matter of time before that horse shoe up Seattle's ass get's shatted out.  We are looking good to dominate this game from start to finish.

[countryboi]

the mission here is to limit the 2-3 big plays that RW creates and find a way to create our own. 

[PeaceHawk]

6 minutes ago, Sam Mills Fan said:

1.) The Seahawks will be without Jimmy Graham and Ricardo Lockette, their two leading receivers from their previous matchup against the Panthers, because both players are on IR. In their defeat at the hands of Carolina, Graham had 8 receptions for 140 yards. Lockette had 2 receptions for 43 yards and a big touchdown. If Marshawn Lynch doesn't play this week either, the Seahawks will have to turn to a group of inexperienced running backs against a ferocious Panthers defense. Losing those 3 players would mean the Seahawks would have to find a way to replace their combined 11 receptions for 183 yards and 1 TD through the air and 17 carries for 54 yards and 1 TD on the ground. Replacing 237 of their 356 total yards (67% of their total offense) and both of their touchdowns will be a tough challenge.

2.) Kam Chancellor's coverage skills have continued to decline as the 2015 season has gone along. According to Pro Football Focus, his game vs. the Vikings on Sunday was the worst game he's had in coverage in his career. Chancellor was the Seahawks' MVP in their playoff win vs. Carolina back in January, but his coverage skills have fallen off a cliff this season. Look for the Panthers to get tight end Greg Olsen isolated against Chancellor once again. Chancellor struggled in coverage against Olsen in their previous meeting giving up the game-winning score. Olsen had one of the best games of his career against the Seahawks catching 7 balls for 131 yards and 1 TD.

3.) The Seahawks just aren't good playing early games on the East Coast. Under Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are 8-9 when playing in the Eastern Standard Time zone at 1pm. Against teams with winning records, that record dips further to 1-4.

 

For the Seahawks to pull the upset, Wilson will need to play one of the best games of his career. And Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard will need to figure out a why to stop Olsen and probable league MVP Cam Newton, something very few teams have managed to do this season.

I will give you 2 and 3, but Seattle has gotten better production in the passing game since Graham went down. Ricardo Lockette has been replaced with an even faster receiver Tyler Lockett 51/664/6. He also happens to be a Rookie, All-Pro returner. The chemistry between slot receiver Baldwin and Wilson has evolved to new heights. Doug Baldwin - 78/1069/14. Seattle's receivers are the most efficient in the league with the highest QBR per receiver going to Baldwin, followed by Locket, and Kearse is like 5th.

Seattle's offense has scored a lot of points without Lynch. Christine Michael is nowhere near the back Lynch is, both balance and vision are weaker, top end speed is higher. I don't expect much out of the running game anyway.

Pete said yesterday that Luke Willson will play this week, and he is no Jimmy Graham but makes plays. He isn't going to beat Keuchly in coverage or anything like that. 

[*FreeFua*]

13 minutes ago, PeaceHawk said:

I will give you 2 and 3, but Seattle has gotten better production in the passing game since Graham went down. Ricardo Lockette has been replaced with an even faster receiver Tyler Lockett 51/664/6. He also happens to be a Rookie, All-Pro returner. The chemistry between slot receiver Baldwin and Wilson has evolved to new heights. Doug Baldwin - 78/1069/14. Seattle's receivers are the most efficient in the league with the highest QBR per receiver going to Baldwin, followed by Locket, and Kearse is like 5th.

Seattle's offense has scored a lot of points without Lynch. Christine Michael is nowhere near the back Lynch is, both balance and vision are weaker, top end speed is higher. I don't expect much out of the running game anyway.

Pete said yesterday that Luke Willson will play this week, and he is no Jimmy Graham but makes plays. He isn't going to beat Keuchly in coverage or anything like that. 

I love the trio of WR's you guys have, they all run great routes, have good hands and know how to work back to the ball once RW is on the move (something ours don't do). Ricardo Lockette was never a big part of your passing game and TL was going to replace before this season was up anyway. It'll be interesting to see if they keep Norman outside on the just as dangerous Lockett or slide him inside where he gives up a little to guard Baldwin.

I don't know what it is with Luke Wilson against the Panthers but the guy makes plays against us. He was definitely someone I was hoping would sit out another week.

I think the big difference is Wagner playing this time and not KPL and Cary Williams who combined racked up 18 tackles the first meeting.

If you had to guess what do you think Lynch does this week? I'm guessing didn't want to risk further injury in the cold and/or left because he knows his time in Seattle is up after this year. 

[Donald LaFell]

17 minutes ago, X-Clown on 1 said:

It's only a matter of time before that horse shoe up Seattle's ass get's shatted out.  We are looking good to dominate this game from start to finish.

I think Russell Wilson is an excellent MVP caliber QB but he seems to generate some serious luck

[PeaceHawk]

3 minutes ago, *FreeFua* said:

 

I think the big difference is Wagner playing this time and not KPL and Cary Williams who combined racked up 18 tackles the first meeting.

If you had to guess what do you think Lynch does this week? I'm guessing didn't want to risk further injury in the cold and/or left because he knows his time in Seattle is up after this year. 

This guy knows his opponent!

Wagner moving back to the middle pushing Wright outside and KPL to the bench is a big deal. Wagner is the engine of the LB corps and with him using speed to control the middle allows the taller outside backers to be a lot more effective. Cary Williams got cut after signing a $6mil contract! There is some technique stuff that all SEA CB's have to do and he could not get it down. Jeremy Lane is faster and tougher than Williams, plus he knows the Pete Carrol way, they trust him.

I wish I could say what Lynch is going to do. To say he dances to the beat of his own drum is an understatement. As a casual observer I think Lynch will play, we will know today. I won't question his toughness, there is no one who takes as much punishment per carry and SEA has rode him into the ground. I will check back.

 

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

48 minutes ago, Sam Mills Fan said:

 

3.) The Seahawks just aren't good playing early games on the East Coast. Under Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are 8-9 when playing in the Eastern Standard Time zone at 1pm. Against teams with winning records, that record dips further to 1-4.

 

what is their record against us on the east coast under Carroll?

[Donald LaFell]

I'm expecting anything but a disaster from the Seahawks, I think they'll be on point 

[Peppers90 NC]

i dont buy any of that being a nightmare for the Hawks.

[SCP]

52 minutes ago, countryboi said:

the mission here is to limit the 2-3 big plays that RW creates and find a way to create our own. 

We have a winner

[uncfan888]

1 minute ago, SCP said:

We have a winner

Those plays are what makes him so hateable. Always pulling something out of his ass

[arieslibra1]

1 hour ago, 15 said:

I honestly believe Seattle's passing attack improved when Graham and Lockette went down. Norman will contain Baldwin to an extent but they line him up in the slot occasionally for a mis match. Tyler Locket will also give us trouble in the slot running quick slants. Kearse always shows up against us and going up against McClain will definitely result in plenty of targets. 

This is why I believe we are in for a shoot out. They will not be able to run so it will be lots of throwing and broken plays with Wilson scrambling. 

Hopefully Jared and CJ bring it Sunday, especially CJ.