5 fast facts you need to know about Panthers vs. Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have been waiting eleven months for a chance at retribution against the Carolina Panthers. After falling to a 31-0 deficit in the division round of last year's playoffs, the Seahawks fell just short of a comeback, losing 31-24. Now, the two teams dealing with rather opposite seasons from the year before, the Seahawks look to exact revenge Sunday night.
Here are five fast facts to know about their matchup on Sunday night:
No active Seahawk has multiple rushing TDs this season
With no Marshawn Lynch, a previously injured Thomas Rawls, and the release of Christine Michael, no Seahawks player currently on the roster has scored more than one rushing touchdown this season. Michael ran six into the end zone before Seattle cut him in anticipation of Rawls' return from injury. Behind Michael, Russell Wilson, C.J. Prosise, and Alex Collins each have just one rushing touchdown in 2016.
Cam Newton running the ball less than ever
The Panthers athletic, bulldozing quarterback has taken a step toward the traditional nuances of his position in 2016, running the football less than he ever has in his six-year career. Newton, who missed a game due to injury, is on pace for career lows in rushing yards (411) and attempts (97.5), even less than what he ran for in 2014 when he played just 14 games.
Russell Wilson on pace for his lowest-scoring season to date
Having dealt with multiple injuries at the beginning of the season, Wilson has had a tough time finding the end zone. The undersized quarterback didn't have a rushing TD to his name until Week 9 and has just 11 scores through the air, averaging one per game. In 2014, Wilson scored a career-low 26 total touchdowns and is currently on pace to make just over 17 end-zone trips this year, though he tends to play better down the stretch.
Greg Olsen in line to become 1st TE with 3 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons
The Panthers' veteran tight end has been leading his position in receiving yards all season and has a chance to make history if he keeps it up. Olsen could become the first tight end ever to top the 1,000-yard mark three seasons in a row. He is currently on pace for 1,149 yards after tallying 1,008 in 2014 and 1,104 in 2015.
Both teams tied for 3rd-most in league sacks
Neither team can claim to have the edge in pass-rushers for this game as the Panthers and Seahawks are tied for the third-most sacks in the NFL with 31 apiece. Entering the game, Seahawks' Cliff Avril (10) and Panthers' Mario Addison (6.5) have brought down the quarterback the most for their respective teams.