With more flaws than in previous years, Seahawks could finally lose to Panthers

Jim Moore is still waiting for tight end Jimmy Graham became a huge part of the Seahawks' offense. (AP)

The Seahawks need to beat the Panthers in the worst way. Since 1990, only 8 percent of the teams that have started out 2-4 went on to make the playoffs.

They could certainly put it in history’s face with two winnable games at San Francisco and Dallas after this one, followed by a bye and three straight games at home. And even if they lose to Carolina, they figure to be favored in their next nine games and won’t be an underdog until their last game at Arizona on Jan. 3.

But at this point, I’m starting to wonder about the Seahawks. Like last year, they could still turn it around, win the NFC West and have the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Yet it appears more likely that Green Bay will have the NFC’s best record and that Arizona will win the NFC West. That would leave a wild-card berth as the most probable playoff scenario for Seattle, which would require three straight wins on the road to return to the Super Bowl.

This year’s team isn’t last year’s team. And it’s not the 2013 team either. It has more flaws, chiefly along the offensive line. Plus the defense … I’m not sure what’s going on there. The personnel is pretty much the same as it’s been in the past, but the results are surprisingly different.

Legion of Boom circa 2013 and 2014 would not have given up a 17-point lead in Cincinnati. I don’t know if the hunger’s missing, but something’s missing. One interception in five games suggests as much. And on the defensive line, based on what we saw in the preseason, I thought the Seahawks might set a team record for sacks, but they have only 10 and are on a pace for 32.

I expect Greg Olsen to have a big game on Sunday because the Seahawks are typically vulnerable to marquee tight ends.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks have what used to be a marquee tight end in New Orleans in Jimmy Graham, just like they used to have what used to be a marquee tight end in Oakland in Zach Miller. Like everyone else, I thought it was just a matter of time until Graham became a huge part of this offense. Now I wonder if it will ever happen. Same thing with the team.

The Seahawks should get a big lift from the return of Marshawn Lynch. But will it be enough to offset the possible absence of Bobby Wagner because of a pec problem? I don’t think so. Last year in the five games Wagner missed, the Seahawks allowed 20 points a game. After he returned, they allowed 6.5 in the last six games.

Most of the Vegas numbers and hometown logic point toward the Seahawks – they rarely lose at CenturyLink Field and are 11-0 against the spread in regular-season games the week before they play San Francisco. The Seahawks face the 49ers in Santa Clara on Thursday.

Cam Newton has never beaten the Seahawks in four tries, and Panthers coach Ron Rivera is 0-4 after a bye week. Carolina was off last week.

Another little-known fact from R.J. Bell in Las Vegas, since 2012 when the Seahawks have been favored by seven points or less in a home game, they are 12-0 against the spread.

I’m mentioned that a trend is your friend, but sometimes a trend ends, and sometimes what’s happened in the past has no bearing on the present. Different teams, different year. That’s what I’m thinking with this game.

Much has been said about the 4-0 Panthers beating up on subpar teams, and it’s true – their four wins have come over Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans and Tampa Bay, who have a combined 6-15 record.

But who have the Seahawks beaten? The winless Lions and the hapless Bears, both at home, and both were a struggle. In fact, if officials had made the correct call when K.J. Wright batted the ball out of the end zone, Detroit would have probably won the game.

Instead of the 2013 and 2014 teams that went to the Super Bowl, the Seahawks look more like the 2012 team to me, good but not great, more susceptible than they’ve been in awhile.

Besides that, if you want to give me 6 ½ points with an unbeaten team when it’s playing a 2-3 team, I’ll take those points until the cows come home and make it my Smokin’ Jim Moore Lock of the Week.

Line: Seahawks by 6 ½.
Prediction: Panthers 21, Seahawks 20
Season record against the spread:2-2-1

The Go 2 Guy also writes for SeattlePI.com and KitsapSun.com. You can reach Jim at jimmoorethego2guy@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @cougsgo.