Panthers vs. Seahawks: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Few fans and experts are talking about the NFC Divisional Round matchup between the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks, but this game has the potential to be the highlight of the 2015 NFL playoffs.

The road to this matchup couldn’t be more different for the two teams. Seattle earned a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the playoffs by finishing first in the NFC, and Carolina won the NFC South division title in Week 17 with a 7-8-1 regular season record.

Here is all the vital information every football fan needs to enjoy the marquee matchup between the Panthers and the Seahawks.

Viewing Info

Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

When: Saturday, Jan. 10

Start Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox

Spread: Seattle (-11), (via OddsShark.com, as of Jan. 8 at 7 a.m. ET)

Injury Report

Player	Position	Injury	Status
Philly Brown	WR	Shoulder	Questionable
Thomas DeCoud	S	Hamstring	Questionable
A.J. Klein	LB	Ankle	Questionable
Micanor Regis	DT	--	Inactive
Amini Silatolu	G	Knee	Questionable
DeAngelo Williams	RB	Hand	Probable

Player	Position	Injury	Status
Michael Brooks	DT	--	Out
C.J. Davis	G	Undisclosed	Out
Demarcus Dobbs	DE	Ankle	Questionable
Cooper Helfet	TE	Ribs	Questionable
Jeron Johnson	S	Elbow	Out
Jermaine Kearse	WR	Hamstring	Probable
Marshawn Lynch	RB	Back	Probable
Eric Pinkins	CB	Foot	Out
Tharold Simon	CB	Shoulder	Questionable
Max Unger	C	Knee	Questionable

*Injury information via FoxSports.com, as of Jan. 8 at 7 a.m. ET.

Key Matchup: Marshawn Lynch vs. Carolina’s Front Seven

The most intriguing matchup during the game between Carolina and Seattle will be the Panthers' ability to stop Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. With unparalleled tenacity, stopping Lynch is easier said than done.

While quarterback Russell Wilson is also a legitimate threat running the ball, there is no doubt that Seattle finished the season first in the NFL with an average of 172.6 yards per game due to the hard-nosed running of the veteran Lynch.

After reaching at least 100 all-purpose yards in seven of his last nine games and scoring 11 total touchdowns during the same stretch (10 rushing and one receiving), Lynch is one of the hottest players in the league.

As NFL on ESPN pointed out on Twitter, it’s hard to keep Lynch out of the end zone:

When asked about the lack of notoriety Lynch receives, ESPN analyst Louis Riddick told Jayson Jenks of The Seattle Times, “If you were writing a pro personnel scouting report on him right now, no one ever gives out the highest number on the grading scale. But he’s one of those guys that if the highest number you can give for competitiveness is a five, you’d give him a five-plus because you can’t deny it.”

There is no discounting the success of Lynch this season, but he will face a Carolina defensive unit that is playing its best football of the year. Not only did the Panthers allow the Arizona Cardinals to rack up just 27 total rushing yards in the Wild Card Round, but the team has also allowed 17 or fewer points in five straight games.

Carolina and Seattle played earlier this season as well. In the Week 8 matchup, the Seahawks pulled out a tough 13-9 victory, but Lynch only managed 64 all-purpose yards. With the Panthers offensive unit playing well, stifling Lynch could lead to an upset victory.

With all due respect to Carolina, it’s not that easy to stop Lynch, though.

Predicted final score: Seattle 27, Carolina 17

*Stats via NFL.com.