Panthers vs. Seahawks: Odds, Stat Predictions for 2015 NFC Divisional Game

The Carolina Panthers faced a rather impotent Arizona Cardinals offense in the opening weekend of the 2015 NFL playoffs, but that won't be so likely this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks.

Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch are a far better duo than Ryan Lindley and Kerwynn Williams, and Carolina will be hard-pressed to limit them to just 16 points and two points in the second half, like it did against Arizona.

This game rests on the shoulders of Cam Newton. Seattle is expected to come in and dominate, but a mistake-free game from the former Heisman Trophy winner might be enough to squeak his team past the defending Super Bowl champions.

Plenty of players must do their parts for both Carolina and Seattle to push their respective teams into the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 18. Below are some predictions for the game's key stars, as well as updated odds entering the weekend.

Updated Odds (via Odds Shark on Friday, January 9 at 12 a.m. ET)

Spread: Seattle (-11)

Over/Under: 39.5

Stat Predictions

Carolina Panthers

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

Player	Stat Predictions
Cam Newton	14-of-29, 190 Yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 38 Rush Yds
Jonathan Stewart	18 Carries, 66 Yds, 2 Rec, 14 Yds
Kelvin Benjamin	3 Rec, 41 Yds, 1 TD
Greg Olsen	5 Rec, 72 Yds
Luke Kuechly	11 Tackles, 2 Tackles for Loss, 1 Pass Deflected
Thomas Davis	8 Tackles
Charles Johnson	3 Tackles, 1 Sack
Josh Norman	2 Passes Deflected

The Panthers are going to have a very hard time doing much of anything against a Seahawks defense which has been historic to close out the season. ESPN's Zach Rodgers and the ESPN Stats & Info team detailed just how dominant the unit has been:

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Seattle limited opponents to 39 points in its final six games (6.5 points per game). That’s the fewest points allowed by a team in the last six games of a season since 1978, when the NFL switched to a 16-game schedule.

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Carolina will have to fight for every single inch against Seattle. Luckily, that's something Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert thinks Newton is equipped to do:

Newton was just OK against the Cardinals, throwing for 198 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He also gained 35 yards on the ground.

Arizona's defense was a good unit, but the Seahawks are far better. They're equipped to make Newton's day a living nightmare. And it goes far beyond Richard Sherman and the Legion of Boom. This defense has playmakers both in the secondary and in the box.

Newton will lean heavily on Jonathan Stewart, who had a nice day against the Cardinals. On 24 carries, he racked up 123 yards and a touchdown. That was against the No. 13 team against the run, though. Seattle finished third in the regular season against rushers, allowing just 81.5 yards per game.

Stewart won't exceed 100 yards this weekend, leaving Newton in charge of keeping the chains moving with options and mid-range passes in the middle of the field. That'll make life difficult for Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula—especially with limited pass-catching options outside of Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen.

Defensively, the Panthers need Luke Kuechly to repeat last week's performance. He led the team in tackles and nabbed an interception. Charles Johnson also must continue getting after the quarterback. He took Lindley down twice.

It is going to be a long day for the offensive stars of the Panthers, though the defensive stalwarts should play decently against a team that relies heavily on the run. Containing Wilson is key, as he's a threat to run up the middle and on the outside. Kuechly will play a big role in limiting how many yards he gains on the ground.

Seattle Seahawks

Scott Eklund/Associated Press

Player	Stat Predictions
Russell Wilson	18-of-26, 230 Yds, 2 TD, 33 Rush Yards
Marshawn Lynch	15 Carries, 54 Yds, 1 Rec, 9 Yds
Doug Baldwin	3 Rec, 23 Yds
Paul Richardson	2 Rec, 42 Yds, TD
Jermaine Kearse	5 Rec, 71 Yds
Bobby Wagner	7 Tackles, 2 Tackles For Loss
Richard Sherman	2 Tackles, 1 INT
Earl Thomas	11 Tackles

There's a formula for containing Wilson, but it remains to be seen if Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott has figured out that equation. He'd be wise to listen to SI.com's Andy Benoit, who detailed exactly what it will take to limit him:

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Since that game [Week 8 against Carolina], the Seahawks offense has become even more centered around Wilson’s mobility—not just his running but also his movement skills that recalibrate passing angles and push the action into sandlot mode. The Panthers, a strict zone-based defense, won’t be able to sustain coverage spacing and assignments against this. They’d be wise to attack and send extra rushers at Wilson, trusting that their revamped, more athletic secondary can win one-on-one battles and that Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, who play with better speed and angles than any linebacking tandem in the league, can chase down Wilson when needed.

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Wilson might find running difficult if Kuechly and Davis command the outside, but that doesn't mean he won't be successful. One of the most intelligent quarterbacks in the NFL, Wilson will use the extra blitzers to his advantage. All he needs is enough time to beat the zone coverage and find his receivers with room to run.

Naturally, this could lead to big games for receivers Doug Baldwin, Paul Richardson and Jermaine Kearse. While not candidates for a ton of catches, the potential for substantial gains could lead to high receiving-yard totals.

Lynch rushed for just 62 yards on 14 carries in Week 8 against Carolina, adding in just one reception for two yards. He could produce similar numbers in this one, especially with extra men potentially coming on the blitz. He'll be asked to block in the backfield, something that could limit his touches to below 20.

With 20 touches, he should be able to muster 75 total yards.

One player who will have a monster game for the Seahawks is Bobby Wagner. The linebacker became an All-Pro this season despite interesting circumstances:

Despite missing time, Wagner still finished second on the team with 104 total tackles. His ability to contain Stewart and Newton on the ground will make the Seahawks victory come easy. Even if Wagner doesn't post huge numbers in the box score, his contributions will be felt through his intimidation staring down the backfield.

Several playmakers for Seattle are poised to make big contributions. That's why the spread is as lopsided as it is.

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn