Week 3 of the NFL season is nearly upon us, and on Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks return home to Lumen Field for a matchup with the winless Carolina Panthers. The kick-off is scheduled for 4:05 Pm ET. Seattle just moved to 1-1 in Week 1 with a massive overtime victory over the Detroit Lions, who were riding a high after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in their season opener. As for Carolina, well, they’re struggling. Monday was a loss to the new-look New Orleans Saints and rookie quarterback Bryce Young isn’t exactly thriving to begin his pro career. Keep reading for the Panthers vs Seahawks picks.
Before we get into the odds, preview, and prediction, check out our NFL betting odds and Super Bowl odds for 2024.
The Seahawks are a clear -255 moneyline favorite here for an implied win probability of 71.83%. The Panthers return at +215 and have been given a mere 31.75% chance of collecting their first victory. Seattle is also laying 5.5 points on the spread here.
As for head-to-head, Carolina did beat the Seahawks last season, but before that, Seattle won three meetings in a row.
No one really expected Carolina to be good this season. I mean, there’s a reason they landed the first overall pick in Bryce Young. And so far, it’s been a pretty miserable start, especially offensively. The Panthers scored just 10 points in Week 1 in a 24-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and then on Monday, they came up against a stout Saints defense. That resulted in a 20-17 defeat.
Young completed 22 of 33 passes for just 153 yards and one touchdown. He was also sacked four times and fumbled the football once. Through two games, he’s attempted just 71 passes and completed 59.2% of his throws for two TDs and two interceptions. Not exactly great. On a more positive note, Young has been efficient when running the football, rushing for 51 yards. But it’s a small sample size with only five carries.
Carolina had a mere 14 first downs on MNF and a total of 239 yards. In no particular area did this team shine. While Young was certainly not impressive by any means, you also need to tip your cap to the Saints for clamping down on the signal-caller and taking advantage of his inexperience. Seattle’s defense is rather shaky through the first two weeks, so perhaps Young and Co. can break out and put up a good fight at Lumen, if not grab their first win.
Seattle was shocked in Week 1 when the Cooper Kupp-less Los Angeles Rams marched into the Pacific Northwest and wiped the floor with the Seahawks, 30-13. Well, it appears Pete Carroll’s squad took that loss personally because a much better version showed up in Detroit Sunday for the Lions’ home opener. Geno Smith balled out in this one, completing 32 of 41 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-winning score in overtime when he linked up with Tyler Lockett.
Lockett had a big game himself, reeling in eight catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns. DK Metcalf also looked a mile better, catching six passes for 75 yards. The passing game was certainly the bright spot here, with Seattle rushing for just 82 yards. It was a slow day for Kenneth Walker in particular.
Carroll’s group gave up a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter to the Lions but thankfully won the toss in overtime. Defensively, the Seahawks are giving up far too many points thus far and will need to clean that up in a hurry. The Panthers won’t exactly strike fear into them, but it’s also only a matter of time until Young figures it out. After all, he was the top pick.
I really like what I saw from the Seahawks in Motown, and I don’t think they’re going to lose a second straight game at home. Seattle will move to 2-1. Hammer the moneyline.
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