The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams was costly on two fronts. First it caused the Seattle Seahawks to drop back down to the 5th seed in the playoffs, and second, they lost running back Rashaad Penny for the the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Other injury news is more positive. It was revealed by Pete Carroll that Tyler Lockett had been dealing with a shin bruise for weeks but that it has finally healed. This explains Lockett's lack of production over the past several weeks. Both #94 Ziggy Ansah and #90 Jadeveon Clowney are practicing despite injuries.

For the Panthers at quarterback, Kyle Allen took over for an injured Cam Newton after the second week of the season. With Newton having undergone foot surgery this week, Allen will finish the season for the Panthers. With 44 sacks so far on the season, he's one of the few quarterbacks to have been sacked more this season than Russell Wilson. Allen had only played in two games in his NFL career before this season. Advantage: Seahawks.

Christian McCaffrey is having another outstanding season for the Panthers. If he was on a winning team, he would likely be getting MVP consideration. He has almost surpassed 2,000 yards of total offense on the season as a rushing and receiving threat. He gives the Panthers the edge at running back. Carolina, however, has one of the worst run defenses in the league. If there was ever a time to expect Chris Carson to have a big game, it would be this one.

The Panthers DJ Moore is 4th in receiving yards in the NFL this season with 1,061. Running back McCaffrey actually has the 4th most receptions in the NFL with 86. These two players account for half of the receiving yards and two-thirds off the rushing yards. Despite the injury he was dealing with for several weeks, Tyler Lockett is still Seattle's leader with 67 receptions for 874 yards. Normally, I'd give the edge to Carolina's receivers, but Seattle is so much deeper at this position and averages 20+ yards more per game.

Joey Slye has missed 25% of his field goal attempts from various distances and four extra points. Meanwhile, Jason Myers has settled down after a rough start to this season. Jason has made his last eight field goals in a row and is still a perfect 15 for 15 from 39 yards or closer. Advantage Seahawks.

Three keys to the game for Seattle:

Carolina is out of the playoffs, put this one away early.

100+ yards for Chris Carson.

Sack Kyle Allen early and often.