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5 Bold Predictions For Seahawks vs. Panthers

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5 Bold Predictions For Seahawks vs. Panthers

Seattle Seahawks vs Carolina Panthers
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In Week 8, the Seattle Seahawks will visit the Carolina Panthers for the third consecutive season. The Seahawks have come away with two close victories the past couple of years and it could be another tight matchup on Sunday. While these teams had the top two records in the NFC at the end of last season, both teams have struggled to replicate their success so far this year. Here are my five bold predictions for this game.

5. Rookie Paul Richardson Will Score His First NFL Touchdown

Paul Richardson Seattle Seahawks
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5. Rookie Paul Richardson Will Score His First NFL Touchdown

Paul Richardson Seattle Seahawks
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Seattle's top pick in the draft, Paul Richardson, hasn't had very many opportunities to make an impact this season. That could change this week, as the Percy Harvin trade has thrust Richardson into more playing time, as he caught four balls last week. It's a matter of time before they try a play over the top to their deep-threat rookie receiver, and when they do, Richardson will find the endzone.

4. Greg Olsen Will Have Over 100 Yards Receiving

Greg Olsen Carolina Panthers
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4. Greg Olsen Will Have Over 100 Yards Receiving

Greg Olsen Carolina Panthers
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With Steve Smith's departure, Greg Olsen has quickly become Cam Newton's favorite and most reliable target. Olsen leads the Panthers in receiving and he could be in for a big day against an injury-depleted Seahawks defense on Sunday. Seattle has left the middle of the field wide open for underneath passes and haven't been able to rush the passer well. That could spell big trouble for the Seahawks, and big numbers for Olsen.

3. Marshawn Lynch Will Score Three Touchdowns

Marshawn Lynch Seattle Seahawks
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3. Marshawn Lynch Will Score Three Touchdowns

Marshawn Lynch Seattle Seahawks
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There's little doubt that the Panthers will hone their focus in on stopping Marshawn Lynch and Seattle's running game on Sunday. But that doesn't mean Lynch won't have success against Carolina's defense, which ranks 26th in the NFL against the run. Beast Mode has also become a legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield, especially in the red-zone, so look for Lynch to find the end-zone a few times in this game.

2. Luke Kuechly Will Have At Least 15 Tackles

Luke Kuechly Carolina Panthers
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2. Luke Kuechly Will Have At Least 15 Tackles

Luke Kuechly Carolina Panthers
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Tackling machine. Those are the words that describe Carolina's Luke Kuechly, the leading tackler in the NFL. The young linebacker seems to be everywhere on the field, and this week should be no different. Much of Seattle's offense starts in the middle of the field, so Kuechly should rack up the tackles in this matchup.

1. Seahawks Win 31-24

Russell Wilson Cam Newton Seahawks Panthers
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1. Seahawks Win 31-24

Russell Wilson Cam Newton Seahawks Panthers
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While these were two of the best defenses in the league last season, that has not been the case in 2014. As a result, it's reasonable to expect both teams to put some points on the board. The Seahawks are coming off two straight losses for the first time since 2012, and it's hard to think that they'll lose a third straight. Seattle wins another one-score game 31-24.

Connor Frederickson is a Seattle Seahawks Writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @cfredrun or add him to your network on Google.

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