***SNF IN THE SWAMP - CAR @ SEA***

***CAROLINA PANTHERS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS***

Old foes take the stage tonight on SNF when the struggling Panthers head into Seattle to take on the Seahawks who have yet to drop a home game. It will be interesting to see if the Panthers put up a fight tonight with their playoff hopes quickly slipping through the cracks. I think it is safe to say that with another loss tonight, you can stick a fork in 'em just one year removed from playing in the Super Bowl. It is amazing how much things can change from season to season but one thing that remains in my mind is that these teams always slug it out when they meet and the Panthers are one of the few in this league that can win in Seattle for some reason. I don't think tonight is any different despite this doom and gloom Carolina season. I think that on the big stage tonight the Panthers will fight and find a way to compete. They fought back last week in Oakland after falling behind by a large deficit but were unable to fend the pesky Raiders off one more time and come out on top. This was surely a demoralizing loss and things do not get any easier tonight. After taking out the mighty Patriots in Foxborough two SNFs ago, the Seahawks were beat up and handed a shocking loss at the hands of a young and hungry Buccaneer team last week in Tampa Bay. The Bucs were able to completely shutdown QB Russell Wilson and this Seattle offense and I think seeing this could provide some positivity for the Panthers outlook tonight. Head Coach Ron Rivera is surely preaching to his team to take it one game at a time. If they can do so and just concentrate on the task at hand tonight I believe they match up well with the Seahawks and are no strangers to beating them. The last time they met was in Carolina last season when the Panthers sent them home packing in the NFC Divisional Round, winning 31-24. That being said, Seattle will surely be seeking some revenge here and are apparently getting healthier, returning DE Michael Bennett and Safety Earl Thomas. The Panthers will again be without their defensive leader in MLB Luke Kuechly tonight and it is no secret that his presence will be greatly missed in this game. I think there is is a dangerous spot for Seattle and a chance of them being overconfident here. The Panthers are desperate with their feet to the fire and we will find out what kind of fight they have in them. I am willing to go ahead and say that it is enough to keep this game close and within the number, I wouldn't be surprised to see an upset either. With the Falcons losing and Bucs winning earlier, they are now tied for first in the NFC South and the door is open for the Panthers to make a run. It is time for Cam to put this team on his back and find a way to get it done here and kickoff is near so I will shut-up. PANTHERS+8