C3 Playoff Scouting Report: Seahawks

Panther fans know their Panthers, but sometimes it’s knowing the skinny about our opponents.  The C3 Scouting Report gives you the lowdown on this week’s opponent, the Seattle Seahawks.

Overall: 
Division: NFC West
Record: 12-4
Division Standing:  1st
Streak: 6 wins
Last Meeting: 12-7, Seahawks win in Charlotte (9/8/13)
All-time vs Panthers: 6-2 

Offense

    
Key Players:  Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Doug Baldwin

Hot Players:  Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Paul Richardson

Tendencies: Heavy running team, play-action passing, QB scramble-run, deep routes to speedy Richardson off play-action

Execution Last Week: Bye last week, but below is a look at Week 17

Passing: Moderately Effective R. Wilson- (239 yds), Paul Richardson (60 rec yards)

Rushing: Strong Marshawn Lynch- 60 yards, Robert Turbin 53 yards

Defense: 

Key Players: Bobby Wagner, Michael Bennett (team sack leader with 7), Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas

Hot Players: Bruce Irving- Key Pick-6  and sack-fumble in 4th Quarter

Execution Last Week: Good- The first three quarters were defensive battles and the Seahawks pulled away with three fourth quarter turnovers.  It shows their formula for winning throughout the latter part of the season.  Seattle has only allowed 39 points in their last 6 games, and 80 over their last 8.  The stats are kind of mind-boggling to be honest. 

Coaching: Last week - Good.  You look at the Seahawks and they play team football.  Only Marshawn Lynch is in the top 5 of any major statistic.  But as a team they rank first in almost all categories.  This game was no different, Bobby Wagner broke up a pass and Bruce Irving capitalizes on with the Pick-6 to put the game away.  This team is well coached to play team football.

Head Coach: Pete Carroll (75-60 Regular Season Record; 42-29 with Seattle)
Offensive Coordinator:  Darrell Bevell
Offensive Scheme: West Coast
Defensive Coordinator: Dan Quinn
Defensive Alignment: 4-3

Tendencies:  Seattle plays a lot like Carolina defensively.  The only difference being their greatest defensive assets are inverted, the secondary wearing the laurels.  They have big corners, who have a noses for the ball.  They tend to run a lot of zone coverages, betting their secondary is athletic and versatile enough to either create time for the pass-rush to develop or to create turnovers. 

Standing:  Pete Carroll’s job is secure, being the reigning Super Bowl Champions’ Head Coach.  He’s the lovable, gum chewing guy that has brought them their greatest franchise success. You’d think that his style would be more oriented to the fast-pace, high-octane game that he ran at USC.  Carroll, if anything, knows his players and tailors a game toward their strengths. He’s put together a suffocating defense that is supported by a run first offense.  

Injury Report: