The Seattle Seahawks visit the Carolina Panthers in the divisional round of the of the NFL playoffs this weekend, and there's nothing the Seahawks want more than to knock off the NFC's top seed and advance to the conference championship game. Carolina is favored this weekend, but they won't pick up the win. Here are 3 Reasons Why The Seahawks Will Upset The Panthers In The Playoffs:
3. Amazing Defense
The Panthers have a really good defense, but Seattle's unit is even better. Seattle entered the postseason second in the NFL in total yards allowed per game, second in passing yards and first run defense and points allowed. The Panthers' offense lacks weapons and the offensive line has struggled at times this season. Cam Newton is great, but he can't carry the offense in every single game. The Seahawks will shut down the running game and force Cam Newton to air it out. The defense will key on TE Greg Olsen, forcing Newton to go elsewhere. Newton's lack of weapons will finally come back to haunt the Panthers.
2. Russell Wilson
The Seahawks offensive line improved just enough this season to give Wilson an extra second to make plays and the Seahawks are benefitting greatly. It's a career-year for Wilson, who ended the regular season with 68 percent completion for 34 TDs and only eight picks. In his last seven games, Wilson has just one pick against 24 TDs. Wilson has been nothing short of incredible lately. He wasn't as great against Minnesota, but that was in awful conditions. He'll return to his end of season form against the Panthers.
1. Seattle Should Have Won Last Time
The Seahawks really should have beaten the Panthers when the two teams met in the middle of October. It took 13 fourth quarter points from Carolina and just three for the Seahawks for the Panthers to pull the upset. Seattle had that game wrapped up before their fourth quarter woes appeared. The Seahawks have gotten past their fourth quarter issues since then and are a much better team (see above). Seattle will avenge their previous loss this weekend.