Oct 19, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) celebrates with wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) after running in for a 19 yard touchdown during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. St. Louis defeated Seattle 28-26. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks (3-3) at Carolina Panthers (3-3-1)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte — TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Jenny Dell
*Keys to the game: The Seahawks are eager to see if the offensive chemistry that developed over the second half of last week’s loss at St. Louis carries over. Following the Percy Harvin trade, Seattle is focused on returning to a run-first scheme that filters in the read-option with QB Russell Wilson when teams overplay RB Marshawn Lynch. WR Doug Baldwin caught seven passes for 123 yards and a touchdown back in the slot position he produced from so consistently last season. Carolina’s run defense has plummeted to 26th, but the Panthers will attempt to bottle up Lynch and Wilson between the tackles and force the Seahawks’ receivers to gain separation.
Seattle’s coaches have taken note of the improved mobility shown by Panthers QB Cam Newton in recent weeks. Carolina is still searching for a more consistent ground presence with Jonathan Stewart averaging just 3.8 yards per carry last week, and gaining positive yardage on first and second down will be key. The Seahawks have struggled to generate pressure much of the season, but coach Pete Carroll indicated tweaks to the scheme to free up pass rushers — potentially through increased blitzes.
*Matchup to watch — Seahawks CB Richard Sherman vs. Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin: The rookie Benjamin leads Panthers wide receivers with 34 catches for 477 yards and five touchdowns. At 6-5, 240, he presents an interesting physical matchup for the 6-3, 195-pound Sherman, who has yet to record an interception this season.
*Player spotlight — Seahawks DL Michael Bennett: The team’s most consistent pass rusher last season, Bennett has three of the team’s seven sacks this season but Carroll is looking to spring him for more pressure with increased snaps inside on passing downs.
*Fast facts: Wilson has won both career meetings against Carolina. … The Panthers have allowed 37-plus points in four of their past five games and a total of 195 through seven games. They allowed 241 all of last season.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Both teams rolled through the regular season to earn first-round byes in 2013 but enter this week battered, bruised and in need of a victory to avoid slipping further behind in the NFC. The defending champs showed life in the second half last week — something the Panthers’ defense hasn’t displayed in more than a month.
*Our pick: Seahawks 27-23
