Thursday Round-Up: Which NFC Team Poses The Biggest Threat To The Undefeated Carolina Panthers?

Good afternoon, 12s.

Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Thursday, Dec. 17 - about your Seattle Seahawks:

Biggest Threat To Undefeated Panthers?

The Carolina Panthers (13-0) have clinched the NFC South and a first-round playoff bye with three weeks to play in the regular season. But as noted in a recent feature at NFL.com, the Panthers aren't the only hot team in the conference.

The Arizona Cardinals (11-2) have won seven straight games and could claim the NFC West this weekend. The Seahawks (8-5), have won four in a row and six of their last seven to move into the No. 5 spot in the NFC playoff picture and could clinch a postseason berth this Sunday. 

Six NFL Media analysts debate which club, the Cardinals or Seahawks, poses the biggest threat to the Panthers in the NFC, and four of the six think the Seahawks have what it takes to challenge Carolina for the conference title.

Here's a look at what some of those analysts had to say about Seattle's chances against the Panthers this postseason:

NFL.com's Bucky Brooks: The Seahawks will challenge the Panthers in a lot of ways. First, Seattle has been to the winner's circle twice, knows how to win it and is unafraid to go on the road and take on the best, including the Panthers at their place. Seattle's defense is rounding into form, forcing teams to play one-dimensional, and the unit is a good matchup for the Panthers' offense in terms of style of play. Offensively, Russell Wilson has found his groove, and the connection between him and Doug Baldwin gives them what they need to win potential shootouts. I think Marshawn Lynch will be healthy, fresh and ready to go this postseason, which will help Seattle make a run.

NFL.com's Nate Burleson:Seattle is playing the most dangerous brand of football right now. They are the scariest team to face for the first time this season after finding their rhythm offensively. The Seahawks have guys you wouldn't necessarily have game planned for before, in Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin, who are all of a sudden becoming matchup problems. The defense, which we thought was getting old, has a rejuvenated spirit as of late. If there's one team that's built to take down the Panthers, it's Seattle.

NFL.com's Ike Taylor: The Seahawks know what it takes to get into the postseason, as well as the extra steps of getting to the Super Bowl. There's a reason they've appeared in the last two Super Bowls. They are the toughest team mentally, and I'd go with them in the postseason if I had to pick a team, despite Carolina being on a roll.

NFL.com's Maurice Jones-Drew: The Seahawks are the toughest team right now, with the way Russell Wilson is playing. Since Jimmy Graham went down, they've been able to go back to the offense they were trying to be and have been the last couple of years, and it's worked. To travel all the way to Baltimore and beat the Ravens like they did was special. The Seahawks have the potential to win out, given that they host Cleveland and St. Louis before traveling to play Arizona in the regular-season finale.

Tweet Of The Day

Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from Seattle coach @PeteCarroll, whose 'Song of the Day' choice coincides nicely with this week's release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

More From Around The Web

Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle outlines what fans can expect from Seattle's running back situation after the team re-signed Bryce Brown and Christine Michael.

Five Seahawks, including safety Kam Chancellor (pelvis) and defensive end Michael Bennett (toe), were sidelined during Wednesday's practice.

Here's seven injury updates from Pete Carroll's Wednesday press conference, where the Seattle coach said running back Marshawn Lynch has "a really good chance" to return this season.

Former Washington and Washington State standout defensive linemen Danny Shelton and Xavier Cooper return to the Pacific Northwest this week as rookies with the Cleveland Browns.

Scott Engel at RotoExperts.com previews Week 15 around the NFL from a fantasy football perspective, offering insight on how owners should handle Seattle's running back situation.

Brian Billick at NFL.com labels Seattle's Thomas Rawls as the No. 7 young running back to build a team around.

Gregg Rosenthal at NFL.com puts Seattle's Russell Wilson at No. 4 in his latest QB Index.

Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com writes about what has led to the Seahawks' offensive explosion.

And Jayson Jenks at the Seattle Times looks at what goes into coach Pete Carroll's decision to challenge a play.

D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *

@TonyDrovetto*