Seahawks vs. Panthers: Odds, Stat Predictions for 2016 NFC Divisional Game

The grand stage of the NFL's divisional round seems made for an encounter between the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers.

Both teams boast incredible secondaries, elite defenses, violent running backs and two of the game's front-runners for MVP under center.

As one could probably imagine, the numbers line up pretty evenly ahead of such a contest in most areas, though it was the Panthers firing the first shot in this rivalry this year by stealing a Week 6, 27-23 decision on the road.

With so many incredible numbers surrounding the matchup, it's only right to inspect those and project others while figuring out who might come out on top of this epic rematch.

Game Details

When: Sunday, January 17, at 1:05 p.m. ET

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Television: Fox

Tickets: ScoreBig.com

Over/Under: 44

Spread: Carolina (-3)

Stat Predictions

Seattle Seahawks

Player	Predicted Stats
QB Russell Wilson	22-of-32, 238 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB Marshawn Lynch	19 rush, 64 yards, 1 TD
WR Doug Baldwin	8 rec, 94 yards, 1 TD
WR Tyler Lockett	4 rec, 66 yards, 1 TD
WR Jermaine Kearse	3 rec, 45 yards

Most everything about the Seahawks from a numerical perspective is impressive.

Russell Wilson's in the MVP talks for completing 68.1 percent of his passes this year with 34 touchdowns to eight interceptions. His offense lost Jimmy Graham, but Doug Baldwin made up the difference with 78 catches for 1,069 yards and 14 scores. The ground game averaged 4.5 yards per carry on the way to 2,268 yards and 10 scores. 

Don't forget about the Richard Sherman-led defense. It ranks first in scoring at 17.3 points allowed per game, second against the pass and first against the rush.

So, what went wrong in Week 6? Cam Newton, of course. Newton's the leader in the MVP race, leading a late comeback to thwart a solid game by Wilson and 115 rushing yards and a score by the Seattle offense.

In that contest, Graham caught eight passes for 140 yards. He's gone now, but at the least, the Seahawks won't be flushed into a one-dimensional attack with the news Marshawn Lynch figures to suit up, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter: 

The question becomes how much of a difference Lynch can make against an elite defense after averaging 3.2 yards per carry against Carolina in the first go-round. One has to wonder, too, if Wilson can hit the road and outgun Newton down a star tight end after being unable to do so at home earlier this year.

Make no mistake—Seattle's going to post gaudy numbers, as it has while finishing the season 6-1. But whether it's enough to upend Newton is hard to know, because normal numbers don't apply to Carolina's quarterback.

Carolina Panthers

Player	Predicted Stats
QB Cam Newton	26-of-38, 275 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB Jonathan Stewart	22 rush, 74 yards, 1 TD
WR Ted Ginn Jr.	6 rec, 95 yards, 1 TD
WR Devin Funchess	3 rec, 75 yards
TE Greg Olsen	10 rec, 89 yards, 1 TD

About Newton. 

The man might as well be a video game. He lost No. 1 wideout Kelvin Benjamin for the season and still wound up accounting for 45 total touchdowns and morphed Ted Ginn from a big-play threat into a top-tier threat who posted 44 catches for 739 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Did anyone mention the Panthers finished 15-1? Balance was the name of the game, with 10 of Newton's scores coming on the ground and lead back Jonathan Stewart adding six of his own with 989 yards to boot.

The defense wound up sixth in scoring at 19.3 points per game, 11th against the pass and fourth against the rush.

Carolina's usual balance will be on the field Sunday after the Panthers also got a good injury update this week from coach Ron Rivera, according to Max Henson of the team's website:

The Panthers won the first game despite being stuck in a purgatory where Newton had no idea where to go with the football besides Greg Olsen, so it's nothing but a good thing Ginn can give it a go.

In that first meeting, Newton totaled two scores and Stewart actually found pay dirt twice against the elite Seattle front—on the road, by the way.

Long story short, Carolina's going to come out at home playing its game as it has all season. The burden to produce falls on the Seattle defense, though so far nobody has been able to slow the versatile Newton, who continues to take everyone around him along for the ride.

Prediction

Carolina's developed a more well-rounded offense since the last time it met Seattle.

The Seahawks, on the other hand, are just getting their lead tailback back and won't have a critical piece of the offense. Graham's absence hasn't meant much as of late, but it will on the road against a Josh Norman-led defense that can shut down No. 1 wideouts such as Baldwin with ease. 

While Carolina might have some problems with Lynch, provided Beast Mode is in full form, Seattle won't have the firepower to match Newton.

In the end, as the numbers show from last time, Newton will lead the Panthers away from the Seahawks late.

Prediction: Panthers 30, Seahawks 24

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of January 15. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus. All betting information courtesy of Odds Shark.