- Thread starter
- #1
blstoker
Bill Bergen for HoF!
- 14,290
- 2,882
- 293
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2013
- Location
- WA
- Hoopla Cash
- $ 9,816.00
- Fav. Team #1
- Fav. Team #2
- Fav. Team #3
Possitives:
Marshawn Lynch: Lynch is supposed to be back this week, and though Rawls has been a nice replacement the last 3 weeks, Lynch has been the pin in this offense for years. He'll bring the hard fought extra yards that Rawls tried to get but couldn't always provide. And if Lynch has lost a step instead of just being hurt earlier, it's nice to know there's someone who can get the job done on the bench.
Carolina's Schedule: I cannot think of an undefeated team whose schedule I am less impressed with than Carolina's. They have beaten some very weak opponents and have struggled on both offense and defense even more than the Seahawks have. So, what I'm really saying is, the difference between 4-0 Carolina's record and 2-3 Seattle's record is the schedules they've played.
Russell Wilson: Despite some talk this week (some by me), Russell is having a career year, which is impressive considering the career he's already had. If he can play at his high level, limit turnovers and get his TDs higher (1.2 per game needs to go up) then this team will be hard to deal with.
Negatives:
Bye: Most teams have a slight advantage coming out of 2 weeks of preparations, and Carolina has had that amount of time since they struggled against Tampa Bay. Will they come out prepared or just rusty?
Greg Olson: Olson had a career year last year, and with Benjamin out he appears to be on pace to have another great season this year. Seattle has had difficulty with TEs in the past, and last week was just epicly horrible. Somehow, the Seahawks will need to find a way to not repeat that performance, cause Newton doesn't have many weapons outside Olson.
Turnovers: Getting turnovers hasn't been a given for Seattle with only 7 in 5 games (1 INT) while Carolina's main defensive saving grace has been getting the ball (11 TOs in 4 games). Carolina has also been really good at protecting the ball with only 3 turnovers and Seattle has committed 7.
Matchups:
Cam Newton vs. Bruce Irvin: Irvin's move to LB was a rough one at first, and last year was really good, but he's been pretty good again this year. We all know he can speed rush a QB, but that ability actually makes him a pretty good spy on Newton. I expect Wright to do some as well as Wagner, but I expect Irvin to be called upon for this role quite a bit.
Tedd Ginn vs. Cary Williams: Williams was burned pretty bad last week, but Carolina doesn't have the WRs that Cincinnati has. Other than Olson, Ginn is the only other player on the offense with at least 75 yards receiving. Newton is going to have to find someone else that can catch the ball - but until he does it's Ginn and Olson.
Tyler Lockett vs. Bene Benwikere: Lockett is starting to see the field more as a WR, and he is showing himself to be a great weapon. His speed and agility will put anyone in the Nickel to the test and look to see him get the ball once or twice with some space to make something happen.
Overview:
This game is a case of the better team doesn't have the better record. Carolina has a solid defense, which could make this a close game, but they just don't have the weapons on offense to do what the Bengals did last week. If they make Cam Newton beat them with his arm, then this game will not be pretty for Carolina - but to do that, they need to get a lead early and play defense all 60 minutes. Despite having played Seattle close the last few in Carolina, I think this game goes more along the lines of last year's divisional game with Seattle putting up 30 points and winning by at least 2 touchdowns. But, we all know I've been wrong before.
Marshawn Lynch: Lynch is supposed to be back this week, and though Rawls has been a nice replacement the last 3 weeks, Lynch has been the pin in this offense for years. He'll bring the hard fought extra yards that Rawls tried to get but couldn't always provide. And if Lynch has lost a step instead of just being hurt earlier, it's nice to know there's someone who can get the job done on the bench.
Carolina's Schedule: I cannot think of an undefeated team whose schedule I am less impressed with than Carolina's. They have beaten some very weak opponents and have struggled on both offense and defense even more than the Seahawks have. So, what I'm really saying is, the difference between 4-0 Carolina's record and 2-3 Seattle's record is the schedules they've played.
Russell Wilson: Despite some talk this week (some by me), Russell is having a career year, which is impressive considering the career he's already had. If he can play at his high level, limit turnovers and get his TDs higher (1.2 per game needs to go up) then this team will be hard to deal with.
Negatives:
Bye: Most teams have a slight advantage coming out of 2 weeks of preparations, and Carolina has had that amount of time since they struggled against Tampa Bay. Will they come out prepared or just rusty?
Greg Olson: Olson had a career year last year, and with Benjamin out he appears to be on pace to have another great season this year. Seattle has had difficulty with TEs in the past, and last week was just epicly horrible. Somehow, the Seahawks will need to find a way to not repeat that performance, cause Newton doesn't have many weapons outside Olson.
Turnovers: Getting turnovers hasn't been a given for Seattle with only 7 in 5 games (1 INT) while Carolina's main defensive saving grace has been getting the ball (11 TOs in 4 games). Carolina has also been really good at protecting the ball with only 3 turnovers and Seattle has committed 7.
Matchups:
Cam Newton vs. Bruce Irvin: Irvin's move to LB was a rough one at first, and last year was really good, but he's been pretty good again this year. We all know he can speed rush a QB, but that ability actually makes him a pretty good spy on Newton. I expect Wright to do some as well as Wagner, but I expect Irvin to be called upon for this role quite a bit.
Tedd Ginn vs. Cary Williams: Williams was burned pretty bad last week, but Carolina doesn't have the WRs that Cincinnati has. Other than Olson, Ginn is the only other player on the offense with at least 75 yards receiving. Newton is going to have to find someone else that can catch the ball - but until he does it's Ginn and Olson.
Tyler Lockett vs. Bene Benwikere: Lockett is starting to see the field more as a WR, and he is showing himself to be a great weapon. His speed and agility will put anyone in the Nickel to the test and look to see him get the ball once or twice with some space to make something happen.
Overview:
This game is a case of the better team doesn't have the better record. Carolina has a solid defense, which could make this a close game, but they just don't have the weapons on offense to do what the Bengals did last week. If they make Cam Newton beat them with his arm, then this game will not be pretty for Carolina - but to do that, they need to get a lead early and play defense all 60 minutes. Despite having played Seattle close the last few in Carolina, I think this game goes more along the lines of last year's divisional game with Seattle putting up 30 points and winning by at least 2 touchdowns. But, we all know I've been wrong before.
