Panthers vs. Seahawks: 3 things you need to know
The Seattle Seahawks host the Carolina Panthers in Saturday's divisional playoff game.
Carolina is always a difficult opponent for Seattle. Although the Seahawks have won the past three contests between the clubs, their margin of victory hasn't been more than five points.
Here's what you need to know:
Running game will be essential for both teams
Carolina's Jonathan Stewart is playing some of the best football of his career. Stewart was outstanding against the Arizona Cardinals last Saturday, rushing for 123 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll took notice of Stewart's excellent form during his weekly press conference, and the running back will be a real test for Seattle's dominant front seven.
Seattle's Marshawn Lynch is the focal point of their offense, and the eighth-year pro had arguably the best campaign of his career in 2014. Lynch led the league in broken tackles, and his physical style of play may wear down Carolina's excellent linebackers. The Panthers will also be without defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, who served as their best run-stopper among the defensive line.
Both teams utilize run-heavy offenses effectively, and whichever side does a better job of establishing the run will likely advance to the NFC Championship Game.
A battle between All-Pro inside linebackers
Saturday's game will feature the NFL's two All-Pro inside linebackers, with Luke Kuechly anchoring Carolina's defense and Bobby Wagner commandeering Seattle's front seven.
Kuechly was the Defensive Player of the Year last season and his instincts in the running game are almost unparalleled. With Thomas Davis often responsible for covering tight ends, Kuechly is used in multiple roles, whether it's spying on the quarterback or shooting through the A or B gap to stop the run. Against the Seahawks, he will be tasked with shutting down Seattle's Lynch.
Wagner missed five games because of a toe injury but was designated as an All-Pro for the first time in his career due to his outstanding performance. Very few linebackers possess his top-flight speed and acceleration, and the third-year pro is rapidly getting better at diagnosing passing plays in coverage. Seattle will likely stick K.J. Wright on Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, giving Wagner free range to chase down Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.
Containing quarterback rushes will be vital
Cam Newton and Russell Wilson are excellent at escaping pressure in the pocket to convert rushes for large gains, and it will be something both defenses will need to key in on.
Last time the two teams squared off, Seattle contained Newton effectively, holding him to a mere 24 yards rushing on 12 carries. With speedy linebackers Bruce Irvin and Wagner in pursuit, he'll have to be smart about when he decides to scramble.
Wilson is the best rushing quarterback in the league, accumulating 849 yards on the ground. In the Seahawks' previous matchup against the Panthers, he scrambled for 15 yards on third-and-10 during the third quarter, leading to a field goal that tied the game at 6 apiece. The Seahawks star excels when a passing play breaks down, but most of his runs come out of the read option.
If the previous meetings between these two clubs provide any insight into Saturday's game, containing the quarterback is vital.