If it seems like the Seahawks have played the Carolina Panthers a lot in recent years, well that's because they have, facing off in the regular season every year since 2012, and twice in the playoffs in that span, including last year when the Panthers beat Seattle in the divisional round on their way to the Super Bowl.
This season, Carolina comes to Seattle with a 4-7 record, but despite the Panthers' struggles, the Seahawks know they're facing a talented opponent, one that has many of the pieces in place from last year's team that went 15-1.
"We know who they are, they know who we are, so it makes for an interesting game," Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril said. "They've got a great team over there. Their record definitely doesn't show how good they are. They've got some playmakers, we've got to go out there and play ball. We can't take them lightly at all… They have some weapons, we have to respect them."
For the Seahawks to bounce back last week's loss in Tampa Bay and improve upon their NFC West-leading 7-3-1 record, here are three matchups that could make the difference when they host Carolina at CenturyLink Field Sunday:
1. Cam Newton vs. the entire Seahawks defense.
When it comes to defending the reigning NFL MVP, it truly takes a team effort. As was evident last season when Newton threw 35 touchdown passes with just 10 interceptions, he can be as dangerous as just about any quarterback with his arm, but what is really unique about Newton is the threat he presents as a runner. Yes, there are other mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL, including Seattle's Russell Wilson, but none are built like Newton, who is 6-foot-5, 245 pounds.
"He's just as big as me, so that makes it hard in itself," Avril said. "You're not used to bringing down quarterbacks that big. And he's a heck of an athlete. He's one of the better athletes in the league, so as a pass-rusher, you've got to be able to rush while keeping an eye on him making sure you can get to him and wrap him up."
Added defensive coordinator Kris Richard: "It's just physical nature. You're talking about a big, massive running back. He can throw the football and before you know it, it turns into wildcat. There he is, he's keeping it and they're going power and counters and sweeps and things like that. It's the extra running back that you really can't account for, but you better be prepared for."
The Seahawks definitely respect what Newton can bring to the offense, as well as the weapons he has around him, including running back Jonathan Stewart and tight end Greg Olsen, but they also feel like they're as well equipped as any defense to deal with those threats, both because of their defensive talent and their familiarity with that offense.
"They have so many different elements to it," linebacker Bobby Wagner said. "They're the only team I think that runs quarterback power. (Mike) Tolbert, Stewart, Cam, those are three guys you have to worry about, but we've played this team so many times, it feels like a division game, we have so much film on them."
2. Wilson to Baldwin (and other receivers) vs. Carolina's secondary.
Wilson and the entire offense are coming off of a tough performance in Tampa Bay, but if the Seahawks quarterback has a bit more time to throw this week, he and his receivers could be in for a big day.
Despite a pass rush that has produced 31 sacks this season, the Panthers have allowed 275.2 passing yards per game, which ranks 29th in the league. Part of those struggles were caused by injuries earlier this season, but even when healthy, Carolina is starting two rookies at cornerback, Daryl Worley and James Bradberry. That Panthers are also expected to be without starting safety Kurt Coleman, who did not practice this week because of a concussion.
When Wilson has had decent protection in recent games prior to last week's loss, the Seahawks were able to make big plays in the passing game, particularly throwing downfield to Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett and Jimmy Graham.
In particular, a receiver as experienced and adept at route-running as Doug Baldwin could be in for a big performance if faced with one-on-one matchups with Carolinas rookie cornerbacks.
Yet while the Panthers have been vulnerable to good passing attacks this season, giving up 21 passing touchdowns, they can still punish teams that are too aggressive, as is evident in their 11 interceptions, which are tied for the fourth most in the league. And even if the secondary is inexperienced, the Panthers have enough talent in their front seven to make things difficult on an offense.
"Their defense flies around, makes tons of plays," Wilson said. "… They've got a lot of guys, and their front seven is physical, fast, they have guys that come in and out of the game. It's going to be a battle for sure and we're looking forward to that challenge."
Take a look at the Carolina Panthers players you can expect to see when the Seattle Seahawks take the field in Week 13 on Sunday Night Football at CenturyLink Field.
Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) is seen prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) makes his way onto the field during introductions before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. The Panthers won 23-20.(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 6, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Rams 13-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers' James Bradberry (24) takes the field during introductions before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The Vikings won 22-10. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) looks on from the sidelines during a week 2 preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Panthers won 26-16. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis (58) rests during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Oakland, Ca. The Raiders won the game, 35-32. (Greg Trott via AP)
Carolina Panthers' A.J. Klein (56) during introductions before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. The Panthers won 27-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers rookie linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) warms up prior to the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 24-10. (Jim Mahoney via AP).
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) pursues the runner during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Wes Horton (96) walks off the field after the Carolina Panthers defeat the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Charlotte, NC, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) during pre-game introductions before the game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday Nov. 17, 2016, Charlotte, NC. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals 30-20. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) during pre-game introductions before the game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday Nov. 17, 2016, Charlotte, NC. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers' Fozzy Whittaker (43) gets his teammates fired up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. The Panthers won 23-20.(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert (35) during warm ups prior to an NFL football game at Bank of America, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) smiles as he runs off the field after a game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Nov.17, 2016 in Charlotte,N.C. The Carolina Panthers won 23-20. (Logan Bowles via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers tight end Ed Dickson (84) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (19 watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, September 8, 2016. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen stands on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Panthers won 13-10. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Carolina Panthers guard Chris Scott (79) looks on from the sideline during the 2016 NFL week 5 regular season football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Buccaneers won the game 17-14. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Daryl Williams (60) looks on during the 2016 NFL week 1 regular season football game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Denver. The Broncos won the game 21-20. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers offensive guard Tyler Larsen (69) does a low five during the 2016 NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Patriots won the game 19-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers guard Trai Turner (70) on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers guard Andrew Norwell (68) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 6, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Rams 13-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers tackle Mike Remmers (74) looks on during the football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, December 13, 2015 in Charlotte, NC. (AP Photo/Kent Smith)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) during warm ups prior to an NFL football game at Bank of America, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) celebrates after a catch against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game Sept. 18, 2016 in Charlotte, N. C. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Carolina Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen (44) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 6, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Rams 13-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers punter Michael Palardy (5) kicks during the game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday Nov. 17, 2016, Charlotte, NC. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sep. 17th, 2016 in Charlotte,NC. (Logan Bowles via AP Images)
3. Seattle's offensive line vs. Carolina's front seven.
While the Panthers' pass defense has struggled at times, they are still one of the most talented teams in the NFL when it comes to their front seven, which is evident both in their 31 sacks and also in their run defense, which ranks second in the NFL allowing 79.2 yards per game. The Panthers have three starters back from the defensive line that gave the Seahawks trouble in the playoff last season, sacking Wilson five times and hitting him 14 times.
Seahawks offense coordinator Darrell Bevell referred to Carolina's defense as being, "Always a great challenge, they have a great front, great backers. Their front seven is probably as good as we're going to face. We have to be right."
And part of why this matchup is so important is that the Seahawks were anything but right up front last weekend when Wilson was sacked six times in a loss to the Buccaneers.
"Not good enough," is how offensive line coach Tom Cable described the performance. "We had a stretch in the middle part of the game that was OK. I felt like some of the run game was there and we really didn't get to it. Protection-wise not good enough."
Players and coaches alike are confident that last week's performance was not indicative of what the line is capable of doing—the Seahawks offense and the line had shown encouraging signs of improvement in recent weeks before that game—and getting center Justin Britt back should help. But for the Seahawks to show that last week was just a one-off performance, they'll need to be sharp against a tough Panthers defense.
"Absolutely," Cable said when asked if he was confident his line could clean things up. "And the group coming in this weekend is a fine defense. You really have to no choice but to get yourself straight."
The Seahawks and Panthers face off on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers' Donald Hayes (81) is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Jay Bellamy (20) and Willie Williams (27) after a catch in the second quarter Sunday, Oct. 8, 2000, at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Perel)
Seattle Seahawks' Darrell Jackson, right, steps around Carolina Panthers' Colin Branch after catching a pass during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004, in Seattle. Jackson led the Seahawks in pass reception yards with 71 in the Seahawks' 23-17 victory. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Carolina Panthers' Drew Carter, right, makes a long reception against the Seattle Seahawks' Michael Boulware, left, and Marcus Trufant, center, in the second quarter during the NFC Championship game in Seattle, on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander (37) crosses into the end zone for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of the NFC championship football game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, right, holds the NFC championship trophy as he stands with running back Shaun Alexander following their NFC championship football game in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006. The Seahawks best the Carolina Panthers 34-14 to advance to the Super Bowl in Detroit. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) keeps the ball as he tries to get by Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) in the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Seattle Seahawks' Jimmy Graham, left, grabs a touchdown reception in front of Carolina Panthers' Michael Griffin (22) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle quarterback Geno Smith fires a pass from the pocket.
