Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers: 3 Bold predictions for Week 12
By Samuel Teets
Christian McCaffrey will be held under 100 total yards
McCaffrey has had over 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the last three weeks. He’s crossed the century mark six times this season already, including a 110 yard from scrimmage performance in Week 11. Holding the second-year back below 100 yards is a challenge, simply because teams have no idea where he will lineup or go on any given play.
He’s so versatile that he can run routes like a receiver or be utilized in a multitude of plays that incorporate a lot of motion and confuse defenses. He’s also a matchup nightmare for linebackers when he runs routes and is hard to tackle.
That being said, the Seahawks are primed to stop McCaffrey on Sunday. Middle linebacker, Bobby Wagner, is the second best middle linebacker in the whole league and has been a First Team All-Pro in both of the last two seasons. He has the range to cover the entire field and will be the key piece in checking McCaffrey, both as a receiver and rusher.
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The Seahawks defense also features linebacker K.J. Wright, who may or may not be healthy enough to play against the Panthers, defensive end Frank Clark, and defensive tackle Jarran Reed. Reed is averaging 3.4 combined tackles per game and Clark is averaging a sack per game. Against the Panthers, those two need to account for McCaffrey when they charge after Cam Newton. It’s going to be difficult, but the Seahawks have the personnel to stop Carolina’s most dynamic threat.