Panthers On The Ropes In Seattle

It’s not too late for the Carolina Panthers. After losing five of their first six games, the Panthers (4-7 SU, 3-7-1 ATS) have found their footing again, and they still have a shot at a Wild Card berth in the wayward NFC. Standing in their way this Sunday night are the Seattle Seahawks (7-3-1 SU, 6-5 ATS), who opened as 6.5-point home favourites and quickly moved to –7 on the NFL odds board. Kick-off is at 8:30 PM ET on NBC.

The Seahawks had won three straight SU and ATS before things went haywire in last week’s 14-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6 at home). Safety Earl Thomas missed the first game of his career, and cornerback DeShawn Shead also had to sit out, both with hamstring injuries. Their status for Week 13 remains uncertain at press time.

Carolina has a point differential of minus-5 on the season, so that 4-7 record is deceiving, but the Cats are in big trouble on the injury front. Star linebacker Luke Kuechly is out indefinitely with a concussion, and the makeshift offensive line in front of quarterback Cam Newton has been even worse without centre Ryan Kalil (shoulder) and tackle Michael Oher (concussion).