Local and national media predict the winner of Sunday's game between the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers.

Elliot Harrison, **NFL.com**: Panthers 26, Seahawks 24

Harrison: The season hasn't spun out of control for the 6-4 Panthers yet, although they had better stop messing around. In what amounts to a huge contest in terms of the NFC wild-card race, the Seahawks need this win more than Carolina does. If Pete Carroll's group were to falter, Seattle would tumble to 5-6 and two games back of the Panthers, one of their prime combatants for the fifth or sixth seed. Speaking of, at least one of these two teams has made the playoffs the last six years. Also interesting to note: Seattle has won its last three meetings in Charlotte, all with Russell Wilson under center. If the Panthers are to win this time, Cam Newton must set up and deliver accurately downfield; he sports a not-sterling 58.1 passer rating on throws of 20-plus air yards, according to Next Gen Stats.

Brady Henderson, **ESPN.com**: Panthers 30, Seahawks 28

Henderson: The Seahawks' defense has gone three consecutive games without a takeaway, something that could have helped turn narrow defeats to the Chargers and Rams into victories. Seattle has shown an ability to take the ball away from opponents, doing it 16 times over the first seven games, but ending the drought won't be easy Sunday against Carolina, an offense whose 10 turnovers is tied for the third fewest in the league.

David Newton, **ESPN.com**: Panthers 21, Seahawks 17

Newton: The Panthers are 5-0 at home and have a 10-game winning streak at Bank of America Stadium. The big difference is turnovers. Defensively, Carolina has forced 13 at home to only two on the road, and offensively, it has made only three at home compared with seven on the road. Stopping the Seattle running game is also going to be key. The Panthers are giving up only 78.2 yards on the ground at home compared with 116.6 away.

Pete Prisco, **CBSSports.com**: Panthers 27, Seahawks 21

Prisco: This is a big game in terms of playoff implications. The Panthers have lost two straight and need to turn it around. Seattle looked good last week in rallying to beat the Packers. But I think the Panthers back home will get it turned around. It won't be easy.

David Steele, **Sporting News**: Seahawks 30, Panthers 26

Steele: This is about where the Seahawks were expected to be in their transition, but they wouldn't even be here if Wilson were not playing the way he is. That was on display in a crucial NFC playoff-contender showdown with the Packers last week. The Panthers and Cam Newton should feel fine with going for the win last week in Detroit; they should feel less good about a defense that is extremely ordinary this season, particularly last week against a flailing Lions team.

Bob Condotta, **Seattle Times**: Seahawks 27, Panthers 24:

Condotta: If this is Carolina, then the Seahawks must be going there for what feels like their annual trip to Charlotte. Seattle actually has played three games in the regular season there in the Russell Wilson era, all three times coming away with tight wins that proved pivotal. Maybe the fourth time will remain the charm? The Seahawks seem to be further forging their identity each week and can take another step toward showing they are indeed retooling rather than rebuilding.

Mike Vorel, **Seattle Times**: Panthers 28, Seahawks 24

Vorel: It's true, the Panthers have lost two straight. It's also true that they're 5-0 at home this season and tout one of the premier rushing offenses in the NFL. The Seahawks have struggled to put together four quarters of sustained defense and haven't forced a turnover in their last three games. With NFC playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Panthers will outlast the Seahawks in Charlotte.

Larry Stone, **Seattle Times**: Seahawks 23, Panthers 20

Stone: The Panthers have lost two in a row, including an excruciating loss to the Lions last week. The Seahawks seem to be getting more comfortable with their identity by the week. Cam Newton presents unique challenges, but the Seahawks have won five of their last seven against Carolina and will prevail in a close one, as most of their games against the Panthers seem to be.

Matt Calkins, **Seattle Times**: Panthers 24, Seahawks 20

Calkins: I think this would be the Seahawks most impressive win of the year, but the fact is they haven't beaten a team currently above .500, and Carolina is unbeaten at home. Until the Seahawks do it, I'm picking against them.

Jim Moore, **710Sports.com**: Panthers 17, Seahawks 16

Moore: The key for Seattle is to get in front early and hope that Newton goes into a funk, which is often the case. I don't think that will happen, though. He's completing a career-high 68 percent of his passes, and complicating the Seahawks' chances of disrupting him, Newton has been sacked only 20 times this year. It figures to be a back-and-forth battle, but I'll go with Carolina in a close one.

More Picks From Around The Web

• One of five writers at USA Today predict a Seahawks victory.
• Three of eight experts at CBSSports.com pick the Seahawks to win.
• Three of 10 analysts at ESPN.com side with Seattle this weekend.