The surprising Seattle Seahawks‘ season continues as they host the Carolina Panthers in NFL Week 14. It’s a battle between two teams going in opposite directions. Nevertheless, there is a lot to analyze in this game to make the sharpest Panthers-Seahawks prediction and pick. The NFL odds have the total for this game set at 44.5 points with the Seahawks favored by 3.5 points. Let’s dive in for my best bet. If you’re looking to tail more of the sharpest NFL Week 14 picks check out our OddsShopper’s tools and content.
NFL Odds: Panthers-Seahawks Odds
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Darnold Returns
The Carolina Panthers stand at 4–8 coming off a bye week. Sam Darnold started at quarterback in their last game after spending the entire season on Injured Reserve. The Panthers won in Darnold’s 2022 debut against the Denver Broncos by a score of 23-10. The team cut former starting QB Baker Mayfield, who now finds himself in Los Angeles. That makes this Darnold’s team for the remainder of the season.
The Panthers are just two games back of the division leading Buccaneers which keeps their playoff hopes alive. However, they are 0-5 on the road and will have a tough test traveling to a hostile environment in Seattle to face the 7–5 Seahawks.
Seattle has been a surprise this season and ranks third in the NFC in total yards per game with 360.9. Geno Smith ranks sixth in passing yards and has the second best passer rating in the NFL. Kenneth Walker III has been a nice complement to Smith, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt and scoring nine rushing touchdowns.
D’Onta Foreman Carries the Load
D’Onta Foreman has rushed for 100 yards in four of six games since the Christian McCaffrey trade. His 405 rushing yards is tied for sixth in the NFL since Week 7. Foreman put up 113 yards last week against Denver, and Seattle ranks 31st in opponent rushing yards allowing 155.3 per game. The Seahawks have allowed sixteen rushing touchdowns, third most in the NFL. With Sam Darnold just getting his feet wet, its likely the Panthers choose to run more than pass and avoid the Seahawks secondary that has eleven interceptions.
The Panthers’ receiving core is lead by DJ Moore who most analysts expected to have a big season. His 88 targets ranks just 24th in the league, while his 605 receiving yards ranks 34th. Moore should be a top-20 wide receiver but the Panthers have not had consistency at QB. Seattle’s 32 sacks and 65.5% opponent completion rating are middle of the pack but LB Uchenna Nwosu‘s 9 sacks ranks top 10 so Darnold wont have much time in the pocket.
Geno Does it Again
Rookie second-round-pick Kenneth Walker III has emerged as a legitimate number one running back in the NFL. Walker has scored nine touchdowns in the last eight games and has seen three or more targets five times this season. Walker has been solid but its Geno Smith and the duo of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett who have sparked Seattle’s offense. Locket and Metcalf are both in the top seventeen in targets and top fifteen in receptions. The duo has twelve touchdowns between them.
The Seahawks face a Panthers defense that only has 25 sacks on the year, which ranks 19th. The Panthers don’t have single player in the top 35 in pass rush rating (PFF). Geno should have enough time in the pocket to keep up his efficient passer rating.
The Seahawks 26.5 points per game ranks fifth behind Kansas City, Dallas, Philadelphia and Buffalo. Those happen to be the four favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Final Panthers-Seahawks Prediction & Pick
Both Carolina and Seattle are 6-6 against the spread. They have combined to go 11-13-0 on the over/under. The Carolina offense should be able to move the ball on the ground to score some points, but the Seattle passing attack is too much for the Panthers to keep up with. The Seahawks will win this game at home and cover.
Final Panthers-Seahawks Pick: Seahawks -3.5 (-110, BetMGM)
