Panthers (0-2) at Seahawks (1-1)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT, Lumen Field, Seattle
TV: CBS
Spread (BetMGM): Seahawks by 4.5
Panthers’ keys to victory: Carolina needs to find somebody to step up at wide receiver after the Panthers traded away their best one (DJ Moore) to the Chicago Bears in the offseason. One big reason why Carolina rookie QB Bryce Young struggled in his first two weeks in the NFL (299 passing yards) was receivers failing to separate downfield. Whether it is Adam Thielen, Terrace Marshall Jr. or another wideout, somebody has to become Young’s go-to guy.
Seahawks’ keys to victory: The best way to throw a young quarterback off his game is to get pressure. The Seahawks should embrace the blitz, but they’ll also need to get more natural pressures, especially from their interior defensive line. NT Jarran Reed has played well so far, but Seattle needs DEs Dre’mont Jones and Mario Edwards Jr. to get on Reed’s level.
Matchup to watch: Panthers OLB Justin Houston vs. Seahawks RT Jake Curhan. With starting RT Abe Lucas on the injured reserve list, the Seahawks started Curhan in his place last week against the Lions. Curhan did a good job against Detroit’s edge rushers. However, Carolina’s edge rushers are on another level. As Brian Burns goes after the blindside, Curhan will have to contend with Houston, who has over 100 career sacks.
Who wins? The Panthers are at the beginning of a rebuilding phase around Young and likely won’t be competitive for a while. Outside of a turnover disaster occurring, Seattle should take care of business at home.
Seahawks 31-20