Seahawks At Panthers

The game: 1:15 p.m., Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte

Coaches: Seattle Mike Holmgren, 11-10, 2nd season; 86-47 overall, 9th season. Carolina George Seifert, 9-11, 2nd season; 107-41 overall, 10th season

The records: Seattle is 2-3; Carolina is 1-3.

The series: First meeting

The line: Panthers by 3-1/2

On the air

Television: CBS, Bill Macatee and Charles Mann.

Radio: KXLY (920-AM) and KVNI (1080-AM), with Brian Davis and Steve Raible.

Player matchups

Passing PC-PA Yds. TD Int.

Brock Huard, Seattle 4-11 30 0 0

Steve Beuerlein, Carolina 79-124 949 5 3

Rushing Att. Yds. Avg. TD

Ricky Watters, Seattle 81 387 4.8 3

Shaun Alexander, Seattle 24 135 5.6 1

T. Biakabutuka, Carolina 69 294 4.3 2

Steve Beuerline, Carolina 11 45 4.1 0

Receiving Rec. Yds. AVG. TD

Darrell Jackson, Seattle 14 235 16.8 2

Sean Dawkins, Seattle 13 139 10.7 0

M. Muhammad, Carolina 24 242 10.1 2

Donald Hayes, Carolina 17 276 16.2 0

Injuries

Seahawks: Probable: DT Cortez Kennedy (back).

Panthers: Out: DT Alvin McKinley (knee); DE Chuck Smith (knee). Questionable: T James Dexter (triceps). Probable: CB Eric Davis (hand).

Analysis

It’s Brock Huard’s turn on Mike Holmgren’s weekly episode of “Hot Seat.” Jon Kitna pushed the eject button after failing to pass downfield, even on plays designed to stretch the defense. Kitna’s completion percentage of 62.3 is the highest of his career and higher than every Hawks’ QB since Dave Krieg’s 65.6 in 1991. Ironically, Kitna’s cautious approach is similar to the criticism that Holmgren has had of the methodical Huard in the past. Huard’s arm is unquestioned, but the second-year pro likely will go through growing pains similar to Kitna. His debut comes against a Panthers’ defense that is leaky against the rush (28th in the NFL) and so-so versus the pass (14th). Seattle’s defense, meanwhile, hasn’t exactly stifled anybody. Panthers 23, Seahawks 13.