![Panthers-at-Seahawks-Odds16](https://sas.suplitodomedia.com/articles_images/BookMaker/Panthers-at-Seahawks-Odds16.jpg)
The Seahawks have not had a winning record at any point this season, and they still won’t following their showdown with Carolina on Sunday. But they could get closer to that point with a return to CenturyLink Field.
Seattle has the best home-field advantage in the NFL, having won nine in a row and 28 of 30, while winning the last five overall against Carolina.
ODDS
Seattle opened as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 41.5. The teams have played three defensive struggles in the last four meetings, and there’s nothing that points to a different type of game this time around. The total was wagered down to 40.5, but still carries value.
KEY INJURIES
Jared Allen – Is sidelined with a pinched nerve and will not play against Seattle. Wes Horton, who started 15 games last season when Greg Hardy was suspended, will take over at Allen’s defensive end spot.
Bobby Wagner – Missed practice this week with an injured pectoral muscle suffered last week in Cincinnati. He is listed as questionable and will likely be a game-time decision. Brock Coyle is listed as the backup, but he was limited in practice with a knee injury. K.J. Wright could move to the middle with Kevin Pierre-Louis playing the weakside if Wagner sits.
KEY MISMATCH
Returning to the site of last season’s divisional playoff loss, Cam Newton will try to help the Panthers win a franchise record ninth-straight regular season game. Besides throwing for seven touchdowns, Newton has run for a pair and leads all quarterbacks with 48.8 rushing yards per game. He will attempt to exorcise some demons against a team that’s had his number recently. Newton’s pick-six to Kam Chancellor in the playoff game thwarted Carolina’s comeback bid in an eventual 31-17 loss. It’s the only defeat in the past 10 games for the Panthers. Including that loss, however, Newton’s 0-4 record against the Seahawks is his worst against any opponent and his 73.4 quarterback rating in those games is his worst among teams he’s faced at least three times. While the Seahawks defense has shown cracks, they have one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL – if not the best. The defense plays on a completely different level at home, limiting opponents to a combined three points in two games.
KEY STAT
22 – Seattle’s NFL-high quarterback sacks allowed total. Carolina’s defense has collected nine total sacks, tied for 19th in the league.
BETTING ANGLE
Carolina coach Ron Rivera is looking for ways to help his team shake its traditional post-bye week funk. The Panthers have stumbled coming off their bye the past four seasons under Rivera, going 0-5 including a home playoff loss in 2013. They’ve been outscored in those games 125-46. Rivera even researched how other teams handle preparation following a bye. He wound up taking a page from the Packers, going full pads and practicing three straight days in preparation for Sunday’s game. Carolina had two blocked punts returned for touchdowns in a 31-13 loss to the Vikings following last year’s bye. Several players dismiss the history of poor performances following the bye. Tight end Greg Olsen said the past is the past and has no bearing on this game. We’ll find out Sunday.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Seattle is a different team when playing at home and the Seahawks will need that boost to get over last week’s disturbing loss. Handed a 17-point lead with one quarter to play, the defense couldn’t hold it and lost 27-24 in overtime. Seattle has had success when playing Newton and the Panthers, and Carolina’s post-bye week struggles are well documented. With Marshawn Lynch back and the emergence of Thomas Rawls, the Seahawks will pound the rock and keep the pressure of Russell Wilson, who’s been sacked 22 times this season. The Panthers haven’t lost, but they don’t have a signature win yet this season. Their victories are over Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans and Tampa Bay, teams with a collective 6-15 record. Things will be different this week, but taking the points is a smart play.
Seattle 22, Carolina 18
The NFL spread for this Sunday game was first available at BookMaker Sportsbook and the Seahawks were pegged as 6.5-point chalk. The total opened at 41.5. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks will take place Sunday, October 18, 2015, at 4:05 p.m. ET at CenturyLink Field. The contest will be broadcast regionally on FOX.