The Carolina Panthers will travel to Seattle’s Lumen Field to face the Seahawks in what is one of the more hostile home-field environments in the NFL. Will Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young be able to overcome the noise in search of his first career win? Or, will Geno Smith and the Seahawks handle business and advance to 2-1?
The Seahawks surprised everyone last season when they went 9-8 and made the playoffs behind Smith’s 30 TD passes and Comeback Player of the Year Award. Can Smith and the Seahawks build on last year’s success?
Let’s dig into some potential winning wagers for Week 3’s Carolina vs Seattle matchup.
Panthers vs Seahawks Odds
NFL odds used for this Carolina vs Seattle preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Seahawks (-238) • Underdog (+195)
- Spread: Seahawks -6 (-105) • Panthers +6 (-115)
- Total Points: Over 42 (-110) • Under 42 (-110)
- Implied Score: Seahawks 24, Panthers 18
Panthers vs Seahawks Predictions
Score Pick: Seahawks 27, Panthers 17
The Seahawks dynamic receiving trio of Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba should have no issues creating separation against a secondary missing their top cover corner in Jaycee Horn.
Bryce Young and the Panthers offense hasn’t been able to find their footing thus far through two weeks. Young ranks second-to-last in the NFL in passing yards per game (149.5), behind only fellow rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, who left his Week 2 game against the Houston Texans early in the first half due to a concussion.
The Seahawks should have no issues defeating the Panthers on their home field and winning their second consecutive game after a rough Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Panthers vs Seahawks Best Bets & Props
Geno Smith: Over 1.5 Passing Touchdowns (-130)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 2 Units
The Seahawks are hoping to welcome 2022 first-round pick Charles Cross back into the fold from a toe injury. This should patch up the offensive line and give Smith enough time to read through his progressions and carve up a Panthers secondary that just lost Jaycee Horn to a hamstring injury.
Smith threw three touchdowns in the Seahawks 30-24 loss to the Panthers, making this my NFL bet of the day.
Seahawks Over 23.5 (-115)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Seahawks ranked 10th in the NFL in points per game last season, averaging 23.9 PPG. It has been much the same story in 2023, with the team averaging 25 points per game after two games.
The Seattle offense is filled with talented playmakers, starting with the two young running backs in Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, the team’s second-round draft picks in each of the last two seasons. Not to mention, they have arguably the best receiving trio in the NFL between Metcalf, Lockett, and first-round rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
If Cross suits up, it will be a big boost for the offensive line. The Seahawks scored 24 points against this same Panthers defense last season, and Carolina is now missing Horn and Shaq Thompson.
Alternate Spread: Seahawks -9.5 (+144)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
The absences of Horn and Thompson on the defensive end cannot be overstated. They have been key cogs in this defensive unit for years, and the Seahawks should have no problems moving the ball down the field and scoring enough points to cover this big alternate spread.
Young has also struggled mightily in his first two NFL games, and his supporting cast still leaves much to be desired outside of veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen.
Take the Seahawks to roll at home and avenge last season’s loss to the Panthers.
Panthers vs Seahawks Same Game Parlay
Panthers vs Seahawks SGP (+171)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
- Seahawks (-238)
- Over 42 (-110)
The Panthers are 3-8 in their last 11 meetings with the Seahawks, and the Over has hit in each of the past five games they’ve played in Seattle.
After a Week 1 performance that left people wondering if Smith’s 2022 campaign was a mirage, he bounced back in a big way in the Seahawks Week 2 win versus the Detroit Lions. The Seahawks defense also stepped up, forcing three turnovers and two sacks while scoring a touchdown against the Lions.
Expect Smith and the defense to carry that momentum into a Week 3 home game against an 0-2 opponent with a depleted defense and a rookie quarterback who does not yet look comfortable as an NFL signal-caller.
