Seahawks vs. Panthers 1:05pm FOX
This is probably the most intriguing matchup of the weekend. The reigning NFC Champs vs. the 15-1 Panthers. Seattle's defense has been phenomenal all season long, giving up the LEAST amount of points compared to the rest of the league.
Seattle's defense is the key to winning this game for the Seahawks. If they can't contain Cam, it's going to be a very long afternoon for them. This Panthers team is on another level this year, and it's going to take an A+ effort out of Seattle to walk out of there with a win.
Good news for Seattle, they have their boy Marshawn Lynch back. Last week we saw them struggle to generate any offense and relied heavily on Russ Wilson's arm to carry them. That can't happen this week. The Panthers defense is too good for Russ to throw anymore than 30 times today. We saw the Chiefs yesterday struggle in developing the running game, and it just goes to show how important it is in the playoffs. Instead, Alex Smith threw the ball a career high 50 times. Not going to beat Tom's team with him throwing that much.
The pick: This game is a shootout from start to finish, the home team sets the tone early with a touchdown. Wilson and Lynch get the points back, and the defense settles in. Expect this one to be fairly low scoring this afternoon. I like the Panthers winning, 20-17.
Panthers -2.5
UNDER 42.5
Steelers vs. Broncos 4:40pm CBS
Gametime temperature in Denver is going to be 39 degrees and sunny, so this isn't exactly going to be the Winter Classic. I expect this game to be extremely physical, and I think Denver can set the tempo defensively by shutting down Big Ben. No Antonio Brown, no Deangelo, no Bell, hurts them a ton. Fitzgerald Touissant didn't look terrible last week but that's their only option out of the backfield this afternoon.
If Big Ben wants to have success against this stout Bronco D, he's going to need good protection. Expect Wade Phillips to try to put the pressure on that O line early on. Roethlisberger is going to need to find guys like Wheaton and Bryant to solidify the passing game, which will hopefully open up some room for Touissant.
For the Broncos, they have their boy back in Peyton Manning. If he can pull out a win today, we'll have another classic Brady-Manning matchup next week in Denver. Although today will be a test for Peyton and co. Today's game hinges on the ability to use CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman. They have the talent to be a diabolical tandem for defenses, and if they can be that today, expect Peyton to make some good throws downfield. Peyton's throws looked good in Week 17, and with the weather bearable, I expect them to be vintage Peyton today.
The pick: The Broncos score early and often, and the Steelers defense is left scrambling. Big Ben manages to keep them hanging around, targeting Bryant several times. The Steelers keep it close, but not having a solid running game and their star receiver sends them home this afternoon. Broncos win 28-17.
Broncos -7
OVER 41
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