Carolina at Seattle: Low-Scoring Defensive Battle

The NFL divisional playoffs are set to kick off on Saturday with two games followed by two more on Sunday. One of the two games on Saturday features the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the Carolina Panthers.

The top-seeded, rested Seahawks 12-4 straight up, 9-6-1 against the spread and 7-1 against the number at home have won six straight entering this contest.

Carolina is 8-8-1 straight up, 9-8 against the number and 3-4-1 against the spread on the road this season.

The two teams met during Week 8 at Carolina with Seattle winning 13-9. The two have played three times over the past three seasons all at Carolina.

Each of the three games has been low scoring with Seattle winning outright by four points or less in each.

Odds makers are expecting a low scoring game as the point total is on just 40. The likelihood of a low scoring game is high. The total points scored in the past three head-to-head games between the two have been 28, 19 and 22.

Seattle led the NFL in scoring defense allowing less than 16 point per game and in total yards allowed at just over 267 per game.

During its current winning streak of six games, Seattle is giving up just 6.5 points a game.

Carolina has won 5 straight since its record was 3-8-1 and the team was a 750-1 long shot on the futures board to win the Lombardi Trophy.

Three of Carolina’s five wins during the streak came against rivals in the weak NFC South division. However, last weekend the Panthers held Arizona to just 78 total yards during its wildcard round win.

Cam Newton won his first career playoff game but committed two turnovers and cannot afford to do that versus Seattle.

In his career versus Seattle, Newton has led only one touchdown drive out of 28 possessions.

Look for a low scoring game with a key turnover late deciding the game.

Trends that are Important

• The Seahawks are 36-14-1 against the number it their past 51 games versus opponent from the NFC.
• The last three head to head games between the two teams have all cashed to the UNDER.
• In 5 of the past 6 games Seattle has played overall the UNDER has cashed.
• The UNDER has cashed in 14 of the past 20 Carolina games versus opponents from the NFC.