The flashing lights of Los Angeles shined bright on Monday as the Rams and Chiefs faced off in the game of the season. The two teams combined 105 points-the third most in NFL history, according to Pro-football-reference.
The Rams and Chiefs provided Monday Night Football with a breath of fresh air. The two Super Bowl contenders proved their top-seeded rankings by trading blows till the final minutes. A continuous barrage of touchdowns led to a slew of big plays.
The Chiefs' duo of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and receiver Tyreek Hill combined for the biggest play of the night-a 73-yard touchdown pass.
The Rams' answered back with their own duo of Jared Goff and Brandin Cooks, who came together for 12 receptions and 107 yards, including a 30-yard catch.
A game full of brilliant and electrifying offensive efforts ended by way of a defensive turnover. Mahomes threw interceptions on back-to-back drives to Rams' defensive backs Lamarcus Joyner and former teammate Marcus Peters.
The Rams defended their home turf with a 54-51 victory in the possible Super Bowl preview versus the Chiefs. This Sunday, two NFC Wild Card hopefuls face-off in Carolina.
CAROLINA PANTHERS VS. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Two of the more statistically average teams in the NFL battle it out this week as Russell Wilson and the Seahawks travel to Carolina to take on the Cam Newton led Panthers.
The visiting Seahawks come in deadset at .500 and in need of a win to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Quarterback Russell Wilson had led Seattle to a 5-5 record and the Seahawks sit one game behind the Vikings for the second Wild Card spot in the NFC. A win this weekend will inch Seattle closer to postseason return after missing the playoffs last year.
The good news is, the Panthers have lost two consecutive games and averaged 19.5 the last two weeks. The bad news is, the Seahawks are winless against teams with an above .500 record. Even worse news, the Panthers are undefeated at home.
The key for Seattle is the running game. The Seahawks are 5-3 when they rush for over 100 yards. Those three losses came against the Rams (twice) and the Chargers-the 22nd and 19th ranked rushing defenses. Carolina's eighth ranked rushing defense will force Seattle to throw the ball more than they would like on Sunday.
The last time the Seahawks faced a top ten rushing defense, Seattle totaled 113 yards on the ground and ultimately got the win. Just as the Cowboys offense struggled in the week three Seattle victory, the Panthers offense has been lack-luster since week 10.
Carolina's offense has been stagnant and inconsistent averaging only 314.5 yards in the last two games. Compared the rest of the NFL, the Panthers' offense would rank 27th in the league. It has been a slow two week for Carolina.
A 31-point loss to the Steelers where the offense mustered only 242 yards started this sluggish portion of the season for Carolina. Another loss last week to the Lions continued the downward trend for the offense. Losing by one point, after an unsuccessful two-point conversion on the last play of the game, Carolina could not move the ball on the ground.
Totaling a laughable 56 yards, the running game for Carolina will need to reinvent itself this weekend against Seattle's 11th ranked defense.
Both teams need their running games to show up if either team wants any chance at a victory. Without a serviceable running game, both offenses will be forced to pass the ball. Cam Newton and Russell Wilson sit three slots away in the statistical rankings.
The quarterbacks will get the job done. Sunday's game will be decided by how well Carolina's subpar pass defense can limit Russell Wilson. Wilson average of 219 yards per game ranks near the bottom in the NFL. Playing better on the road, Wilson could have his best game of the season against the 12th worst passing defense in the NFL.
The Seahawks and Panthers statically line even with each other and this Sunday's game will show that. The defenses will allow 20 plus points and the running games will play a pivotal role in the outcome.
Verdict:
Even with Carolina's recent struggles, the Panthers are the number one Wild Card team in the NFC. In their recent struggles, Carolina has been on the road. The Panthers are back home on Sunday.
Cam Newton and the Panthers are 5-0 at home and will also be outdoors. The Panthers average 31.6 points and 362 yards at home, the 7th highest point average according to teamranking.com.
Carolina is an entirely different team at home while the Seahawks are just slightly better on the road. The Panthers offense and defense plays better and Cam Newton's Superman alter ego plays much more of a presence.
Seattle will fight back late as they play superior football in the second and fourth quarter with a combined 18 of their 30 touchdowns coming in the even quarters.
The Panthers and Seahawks both have a chance to strengthen their playoff chances on Sunday. Vegas has the Panthers as 3.5 point favorite and a field goal margin victory for Carolina seems likely.
FINAL SCORE: Panthers 27, Seahawks 24
Week 12 Predictions:
Bears vs. Lions: Lions 24, Bears 16 (Thanksgiving Day)
Redskins vs. Cowboys: Cowboys 23, Redskins 17 (Thanksgiving Day)
Falcons vs. Saints: Saints 36, Falcons 24 (Thanksgiving Day)
Giants vs. Eagles: Eagles 26, Giants 16
Jaguars vs. Bills: Jaguars 23, Bills 17
Raiders vs. Ravens: Ravens 27, Raiders 13
49ers vs. Buccaneer: Bucs 24, 49ers 20
Browns vs. Bengals: Bengals 26, Browns 24
Patriots vs. Jets: Patriots 28, Jets 16
Cardinals vs. Chargers: Chargers 29, Cardinals 19
Steelers vs. Broncos: Steelers 28, Broncos 23
Dolphins vs. Colts : Colts 30, Dolphins 20
Packers vs. Vikings: Vikings 30, Packers 28
Titans vs. Texans: Texans 26, Titans 20
Current Record: 100-58-2
*preview photo credited to ESPN
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