The Seahawks (7-3-1) return to primetime this Sunday, facing off against the Carolina Panthers (4-7) at CenturyLink Field. Seattle owns an NFL-best 17-3-1 combined record in Sunday, Monday, and Thursday night games since 2010, outscoring opponents 517-288 in that span.
This week's meeting marks the seventh time in the past five seasons, including playoffs, that the Seahawks will meet the Panthers, with Seattle owning a 4-2 record in those games. The last time these two teams met the Panthers came out on top, 31-24, holding off a second-half surge by the Seahawks in last year's divisional playoff round on their way to Super Bowl 50.
Here's a look around the web at which team the national media is picking to win this weekend:
Elliott Harrison at NFL.com picks the Seahawks to win 20-17, "The Sunday night game should be every bit as physical as the Chiefs-Broncos classic last Sunday night, albeit with a hair less scoring. Carolina must make the tough catches for Cam Newton, who was under siege from a Mack truck late in Oakland. Ditto Russell Wilson, who, one week after getting sacked over and over again in Tampa, faces a defense that istied with the Seahawks for most sacks in the NFC. That's why this feels like a Thomas Rawls contest, finally. Seattle definitely would be catching a break if Luke Kuechly were to miss another game, although A.J. Klein has fared well as Kuechly's replacement. Don't be surprised if Wilson takes advantage, as the fifth-year pro always picks it up during the winter months. His career 109.2 passer rating in the second half of the season is the highest in pro football since the merger."
David Newton at ESPN.com likes the Seahawks to win 24-7, "Cam Newton is playing behind an offensive line in which only left tackle Andrew Norwell is at the same position he began the season. Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil and backup Gino Gradkowski went on injured reserve this week, leaving that job to little-known Tyler Larsen. Right guard Trai Turner will start at right tackle. The Seahawks rank fourth in the NFL in sacks with 31, and Newton has struggled against the pass rush this season."
Sheil Kapadia predicts a three-point victory for Seattle, 24-21, "This is a tough spot for the Seahawks. The offense was inept last week, scoring three points on 11 possessions in a loss to Tampa Bay. Was it just a hiccup or the start of a trend? The Seahawks are reshuffling their offensive line once again, starting Bradley Sowell at right tackle in place of Garry Gilliam.Russell Wilson was sacked six times and hit 11 more times in the Week 12 loss to the Bucs. If the Seahawks can't protect him better, they'll be in for a long night versus Carolina. But Pete Carroll's teams have done a good job bouncing back in the past, and the offense had averaged 29.3 points per game from Weeks 9 to 11."
The Seahawks and Panthers face off on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers' Donald Hayes (81) is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Jay Bellamy (20) and Willie Williams (27) after a catch in the second quarter Sunday, Oct. 8, 2000, at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Perel)
Seattle Seahawks' Darrell Jackson, right, steps around Carolina Panthers' Colin Branch after catching a pass during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004, in Seattle. Jackson led the Seahawks in pass reception yards with 71 in the Seahawks' 23-17 victory. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Carolina Panthers' Drew Carter, right, makes a long reception against the Seattle Seahawks' Michael Boulware, left, and Marcus Trufant, center, in the second quarter during the NFC Championship game in Seattle, on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander (37) crosses into the end zone for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of the NFC championship football game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, right, holds the NFC championship trophy as he stands with running back Shaun Alexander following their NFC championship football game in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006. The Seahawks best the Carolina Panthers 34-14 to advance to the Super Bowl in Detroit. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) keeps the ball as he tries to get by Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) in the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Seattle Seahawks' Jimmy Graham, left, grabs a touchdown reception in front of Carolina Panthers' Michael Griffin (22) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle quarterback Geno Smith fires a pass from the pocket.
Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com thinks the Seahawks will win 28-20, "This is a second straight road game for the Panthers, and it's against a good team that is coming off a loss in a tough place to play. Carolina beat the Seahawks in Seattle last year, but not this time."
Peter Schrager at FOXSports.com picks the Seahawks to win 30-17, "Five of the past six times these two teams squared off, the game was decided by seven or fewer points. Remember, Seattle came all the way back and nearly pulled off the wildest finish of 2016 in that NFC Divisional Round game a season ago. Two different teams this year and some key pieces are missing from both of last year's teams this go around. But I like Seattle. Russell Wilson is 15-3 in December games over the course of his career and has the highest passer rating in December games of any QB since 1970. This is the time of year the Seahawks get going. They got their head-scratching loss out of their system last week. Now, they roll."
At ProFootballTalk.com, Mike Florio has the Seahawks winning 31-20 and Michael David Smith takes the Seahawks over the Panthers, 24-14, writing, "The Seahawks are the better team in all three phases of the game and should beat the Panthers comfortably."
David Steele at Sporting News sees the Seahawks winning 31-23, "They're still much closer to being the team that beat the Patriots in Foxborough a few weeks ago than that team in Tampa. The Panthers stay out west after a heartbreaker in Oakland. It won't help much in the Seahawks' deafening home field.
All five writers at USA Today have the Seahawks winning and all five experts at FOXSports.com feel the same way.
Seven of eight experts at CBSSports.com see a Seattle victory this weekend.
And all nine analysts at ESPN.com have the Seahawks over the Panthers.
Take a look at the Carolina Panthers players you can expect to see when the Seattle Seahawks take the field in Week 13 on Sunday Night Football at CenturyLink Field.
Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) is seen prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) makes his way onto the field during introductions before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. The Panthers won 23-20.(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 6, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Rams 13-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers' James Bradberry (24) takes the field during introductions before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The Vikings won 22-10. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) looks on from the sidelines during a week 2 preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Panthers won 26-16. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis (58) rests during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Oakland, Ca. The Raiders won the game, 35-32. (Greg Trott via AP)
Carolina Panthers' A.J. Klein (56) during introductions before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. The Panthers won 27-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers rookie linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) warms up prior to the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 24-10. (Jim Mahoney via AP).
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) pursues the runner during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Wes Horton (96) walks off the field after the Carolina Panthers defeat the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Charlotte, NC, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) during pre-game introductions before the game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday Nov. 17, 2016, Charlotte, NC. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals 30-20. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) during pre-game introductions before the game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday Nov. 17, 2016, Charlotte, NC. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers' Fozzy Whittaker (43) gets his teammates fired up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. The Panthers won 23-20.(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert (35) during warm ups prior to an NFL football game at Bank of America, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) smiles as he runs off the field after a game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Nov.17, 2016 in Charlotte,N.C. The Carolina Panthers won 23-20. (Logan Bowles via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers tight end Ed Dickson (84) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (19 watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, September 8, 2016. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen stands on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Panthers won 13-10. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Carolina Panthers guard Chris Scott (79) looks on from the sideline during the 2016 NFL week 5 regular season football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Buccaneers won the game 17-14. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Daryl Williams (60) looks on during the 2016 NFL week 1 regular season football game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Denver. The Broncos won the game 21-20. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers offensive guard Tyler Larsen (69) does a low five during the 2016 NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Patriots won the game 19-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers guard Trai Turner (70) on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers guard Andrew Norwell (68) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 6, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Rams 13-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers tackle Mike Remmers (74) looks on during the football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, December 13, 2015 in Charlotte, NC. (AP Photo/Kent Smith)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) during warm ups prior to an NFL football game at Bank of America, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) celebrates after a catch against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game Sept. 18, 2016 in Charlotte, N. C. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Carolina Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen (44) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 6, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Rams 13-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers punter Michael Palardy (5) kicks during the game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday Nov. 17, 2016, Charlotte, NC. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sep. 17th, 2016 in Charlotte,NC. (Logan Bowles via AP Images)
