The Seahawks are back in Charlotte for the fifth time, playoffs included, in the past eight seasons, and are looking for a win that would give them a 7-1 road record, which would be the best in franchise history.
To learn more about the Seahawks' Week 15 opponent, we reached to Panthers.com senior writer Max Henson, who answered five questions about the Panthers:
Q: It's been a tough stretch for the Panthers, what have been the biggest factors in going from a four-game winning streak early in the season to losing five straight heading into this weekend's game?
Henson: The defense's inability to stop the run and stemming from that, their inability to create takeaways. And the offense continuously turning the ball over and struggling in pass protection. It's pretty simple, and try as the might, the Panthers just haven't been able to fix those big issues. When you struggle in those key areas, it's hard to win games, and that's what we've seen.
Q: This is probably related to the last question, but how big of a factor have turnovers been of late with the Panthers at minus-12 in turnover differential during that losing streak?
Henson: Yeah, it's been huge. They say turnovers come in bunches and they've clearly been in a drought. But the offense has more control over the giveaways, and quarterback Kyle Allen has had a tough time avoiding picks and fumbles. Some of it stems from the fact that they've fallen behind and need to take some chances, but the ball security needs to be much better for this team to get back in the win column.
Q: With nearly 2,000 all-purpose yards, maybe the answer is obvious, but just how much has Christian McCaffrey meant to Carolina's offense this season/how important is it to get him going if the Panthers are going to have success on offense this week?
Henson: He's been such a dependable workhorse for this team. He's production has been astounding and he certainly needs to have a big day if the Panthers are going to pull off the upset. Obviously, opponents are doing all they can to prevent McCaffrey from making those game-breaking, explosive plays, so the other weapons like DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel have to be able to attract attention and stretch the defense.
Q: How has the coaching change affected the team, particularly veterans who had played under Ron Rivera for so long?
Henson: Last week was a tough week. It was emotional. It was hard on the guys, especially the veterans who had such a strong connection to Ron. Interim head coach Perry Fewell acknowledged how emotional it was for the coaching staff as well. Everyone understands this is the nature of this business and nine years is a really great run, but that didn't necessarily make Rivera's exit any easier.
Q: Beyond the obvious big names like McCaffrey, Luke Kuechly, etc., who are a couple of players who you could see being X-factors for the Panthers in this game?
Henson: Tight end Ian Thomas is a second-year player who is getting more opportunities. He had five catches and a touchdown last week. He's still pretty raw, but he's a really good athlete who can create some matchup problems. Defensively, veteran edge rusher Mario Addison is quietly sitting on 9.5 sacks. The rush has to be disciplined against a dangerous guy like Russell Wilson, but it also has to be impactful. We'll see if Addison can create some disruption.
The Seattle Seahawks face the Carolina Panthers at Lumen Field for Week 14 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at photos from previous games between the two teams.
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 running back Shaun Alexander (37) runs against the Carolina Panthers in the first half Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004, in Seattle. Alexander gained 195 yards rushing on 32 carries and scored twice in leading the Seahawks to a 23-17 victory. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck passes under pressure from Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers in the second quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004. Hasselbeck threw for 201 yards in their 23-17 win. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks Shaun Alexander (37) carries the ball under the pressure of the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter of the their NFC Championship NFL football game in Seattle, in a Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006 photo. He's the league MVP. The league rushing champion. He's also playing the last game of his Seattle contract, making him potentially the biggest plum in March's free-agent tree. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, file)
Seattle Seahawks safety Michael Boulware (28) points skyward after intercepting a pass by Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme, not shown, during the third quarter of the NFC championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006 in Seattle. At right, Carolina's Jordan Gross walks off the field. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks Shaun Alexander holds up the NFC Championship trophy as he parades on the field after defeating the Carolina Panthers 34-14 in the football game, Sunday Jan. 22, 2006, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Carolina Panthers' Dante Rosario (88) tries to break a tackle by Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson, left, during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Seattle Seahawks' Deion Branch (83) catches a touchdown pass as Carolina Panthers' Patrick Dendy (29) defends during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 13-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen (2) in action against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch runs against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) finds some running room as Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly (59), Dwan Edwards (92), Greg Hardy (76) and Haruki Nakamura (43) close in for the tackle during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. The Seahawks won 16-12. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) catches a pass in an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, October 7, 2012, in Charlotte, NC. (AP Photo/Margaret Bowles)
Seattle Seahawks' Alan Branch (99) reacts after recovering a Carolina Panthers fumble as Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) walks off during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. The Seahawks won 16-12. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers strong safety Charles Godfrey (30) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Seahawks won 12-7. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) catches the game winning touchdown pass over Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Thomas (22) and strong safety Charles Godfrey (30) during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Seahawks won 12-7. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is hit as he throws a pass by Seattle Seahawks' Benson Mayowa (95) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) huddles with teammates during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 26, 2014 in Charlotte, N.C. The Seahawks won 13-9. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (92) during an NFL football game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 26, 2014 in Charlotte, N.C. The Seahawks won 13-9. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tries to get away from the grasp of Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Referee referee Terry McAulay tosses the coin before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, top, leaps over Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Mike Morgan (57) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Seattle. (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, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Tyler Lockett runs with the ball toward a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers early in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seahawks receivers Tyler Lockett and David Moore recreate the Allen Iverson/Tyronn Lue fadeaway/stepover moment from NBA history for their celebration of Lockett's third quarter touchdown.
Seattle Seahawks' Chris Carson (32) leaps over Carolina Panthers' Eric Reid (25) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Seattle Seahawks' Bradley McDougald (30) intercepts a pass intended for Carolina Panthers' Chris Manhertz (82) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
