Seattle @ Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 25, 2018 ) Seattle 30, Carolina 27

The Carolina Panthers have nothing to play for but star running back Christian McCaffrey does as the squad hosts the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. McCaffrey has 1,220 rushing yards and 726 receiving yards as he attempts to join Roger Craig (1985) and Marshall Faulk (1999) as the only running backs to accumulate 1,000 in both rushing and receiving yardage in the same season.

McCaffrey has 86 receptions and figures to see a lot of balls thrown his way down the stretch as he is eager to join the exclusive club. "That would mean a lot. It would be a lot better if it was relevant and we were playing in the postseason," McCaffrey told reporters. "The 1,000-1,000 mark is an opportunity. I've been fortunate to get a lot of opportunities with the ball in my hands. All I ever try to do is help my team win." The Seahawks had a five-game winning streak snapped with last week's 28-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and are one game behind the first-place San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West while holding the top wild-card spot. "It wasn't a good outing there in L.A., but we've got to get back on track and get going, and play good football, and see how far we can take it," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said during a press conference.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Seahawks -6.5. O/U: 48.5

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (10-3): Quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown 26 touchdown passes while being intercepted just five times and Carroll believes the 31-year-old is better than ever. "He's had a terrific season," Carroll said. "He's just been really effective. The consistency is what's really marvelous about Russ, going all the way back to all of the wins he's put together over the years. He's been one of the winningest guys to ever step into this league, and it's because of his ability, and his resolve, and his competitiveness, and of course that marvelous consistency." Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (129 tackles) has been thriving on defense and has a chance of passing his career high of 167 stops set in 2016.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (5-8): Carolina has dropped five straight games, leading to the firing of ninth-year coach Ron Rivera earlier this month with Perry Fewell being named interim coach for the remainder of the season. Fewell said that Kyle Allen - who has thrown 12 interceptions over the past seven games - will remain the quarterback over third-round pick Will Grier as the team continues to be hurt by the loss of injured Cam Newton. Defensive end Mario Addison (chest) didn't practice Thursday for the second straight day and the unit badly needs his production (9.5 sacks) while trying to corral the often-elusive Wilson.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Seahawks have won seven of the 10 regular-season meetings.

2. Newton underwent foot surgery earlier this week and there are no guarantees he will be back with Carolina for the final season of his contract.

3. Seattle backup RB Rashaad Penny (knee) was injured against the Rams and is done for the season.

PREDICTION: Seahawks 24, Panthers 12