Carolina Panthers

Panthers What To Watch For: Week 13 vs. Seahawks

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage between the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

In yet another NFC showdown between the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks, the stakes may be different but here’s what to watch for…

Sitting at 4-7 on the year the Carolina Panthers 2016 playoff hopes are as slim as can be but, barring plenty of help, they are technically (and mathematically) still alive meaning each game is a must-win.

After a disappointing three-point loss at the hands of the Oakland Raiders last week in a game that could have and probably should have been won by Carolina, things won’t get any easier as they head to Seattle to take on Russell Wilson and the 7-3-1 Seahawks in Week 13.

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This matchup marks the seventh time since 2012 that these two teams will face off. After starting the conference rivalry 0-4, albeit in competitive matchups, the Panthers have since picked up their game and won each of the last two including last year’s NFC Divisional game.

Not even a year later though things are certainly looking more than a little different – at least for the Panthers anyway – as the Seahawks are once again in the running for a top NFC seed while Carolina is simply crawling along hoping for some help to even sniff a sixth seed.

For the most part though, the players will be many of the same we’ve seen in recent matchups and even with a weaker than normal Panthers team, this game could be another dogfight.

And while karma is one thing to watch for in this one, here’s a few others to look at:

Oct 30, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers center Gino Gradkowski (66) gets ready to snap the ball during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries Galore, Here Come the Backups

It’s no surprise that the 2016 Panthers have been decimated with injuries and that was even before last week’s health disasters.

With Michael Oher, Ryan Kalil and Gino Gradkowski all on injured reserve and an ankle injury to Daryl Williams, the Panthers offensive line is sure to look quite different this week.

Mike Remmers, Andrew Norwell, Tyler Larsen, Chris Scott and Trai Turner look to be the five starters. And with Remmers and Turner moving to the tackle spots in this one, Norwell looks to be the only original starter from this season still manning his post as the team tries desperately to keep Cam Newton upright against a tough Seattle pass rush that will be gaining their best player in Michael Bennett.

Stud linebacker Luke Kuechly is out for yet another week with his concussion along with sack leader Mario Addison for his second straight week with a foot ailment. Joining them on the sidelines, to further hit the defense, is safety Kurt Coleman who was placed in the concussion protocol earlier in the week.

And that’s not even to mention the trio of wideouts – Kelvin Benjamin, Philly Brown and Ted Ginn Jr. – who saw their names on the injury report this week.

Injuries are no excuse as every team has to deal with them but this week looks like it may be a real test of depth for Carolina to attempt to overcome.

Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) shake hands after a NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Seahawks 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFC Rivalry Game, Part 7

The Carolina-Seahawks matchups have become must-see TV over the last several years and each contest – aside from last year’s playoffs – has proven to be a hard fought defensive battle with a few key offensive drives making the difference.

As previously mentioned though, these teams aren’t necessarily evenly matched this time around, at least not record-wise. Regardless, there’s still a good chance that this matchup turns into another tough battle that goes to the wire.

The Seahawks have certainly been one of the NFC’s better teams this season as their record would suggest but have had their head scratching moments as well including last week’s puzzling loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

By no means have the Panthers played even to the level of the Bucs of late, but still, something about this rivalry could very easily light a spark in them. Carolina could put on a show and play up to the level of their opponent under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football.

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