Panthers (13-5) at Seahawks (14-3)

Series: Tied 1-1

The line: Seahawks by 3.5

TV: Fox 28, with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver (sideline) and Chris Myers (sideline).

Radio: KXLY 920-AM, KVNI 1080-AM, with Steve Raible and Warren Moon

COACHES

Seattle: Mike Holmgren, 63-49, 7th season; 138-86 overall, 14th season

Carolina: John Fox, 36-28, 4th season, 4th overall

FAST FACT

In its last three games, Carolina has limited Chicago’s Thomas Jones to 80 yards rushing, New York’s Tiki Barber to 41 and Atlanta’s Warrick Dunn to 29.

ANALYSIS

Brace yourself, this one has all the elements of being a classic. Carolina has playmakers in Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith. Seattle responds with Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander and Darrell Jackson. Both teams figure to score points, but Carolina statistically has the better defense. The Panthers rank third in the NFL in total defense while Seattle checks in tied for 16th, but that is misleading as the teams are nearly inseparable in scoring defense – Carolina 16.2, Seattle 16.9. The Seahawks might have the easier job on defense. If they can control Smith – and that’s a giant if – Carolina’s options shrink considerably. The Panthers must contend with Seattle’s balanced approach. Carolina has an edge in postseason pedigree, having advanced to the Super Bowl two years ago before losing to New England. The Seahawks, however, have an edge in flat-out hunger and they will have the backing of a packed stadium. Seattle is one of seven franchises without a Super Bowl appearance, but that drought ends today.

Prediction: Seahawks 24-20.

INJURIES

Seahawks

Probable: RB Shaun Alexander (concussion).

Questionable: WR Bobby Engram (back), WR Darrell Jackson (knee), DT Rocky Bernard (foot).

Panthers

Out: RB DeShaun Foster (ankle).

Questionable: DT Kindal Moorehead (ankle), DE Julius Peppers (shoulder).

Probable: DT Jordan Carstens (illness), S Mike Minter (wrist), RB Brad Hoover (ankle), C Jeff Mitchell (knee), G Tutan Reyes (toe).

Jim Meehan, staff writer