Carolina Panthers vs Seattle Seahawks Picks and Predictions December 28th 2025

Carolina Panthers vs Seattle Seahawks Betting Preview

Seattle enters Week 17 with momentum after a 38-37 overtime win over the Rams fueled by a Rashid Shaheed punt-return touchdown that shifted the game. The Seahawks sit at 12-3, lead the NFC West and carry a five-game win streak into Charlotte. Special teams have become a defining edge, with Shaheed adding impact returning both punts and kicks and Jason Myers leading the league with 37 field goals.

Carolina enters 8-7 and atop the NFC South after a 23-20 win over Tampa Bay. The Panthers rely on Bryce Young’s late-game execution; last week’s go-ahead drive marked his 12th fourth-quarter comeback or overtime game-winner in three seasons. The run game remains inconsistent, placing more responsibility on Young’s decision-making and Carolina’s defense to maintain control.

Seattle cannot look ahead to next week’s division-decider against San Francisco, while Carolina faces urgency with Tampa Bay close behind. Both teams have postseason seeding at stake, and both lean heavily on situational play and quarterback efficiency.

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Line Movement and Odds

Seattle opened -4.5 and has moved to -5 with early action behind their win streak and special-teams advantage. Carolina is +5 with support tied to home-field situational value and Young’s late-game production.

The total opened 44 and has settled at 43.5. Market sentiment leans toward a controlled-tempo matchup shaped by defensive red-zone efficiency.

Track all movement on the NFL odds board.

Matchup Breakdown

Seattle’s special teams remain a defining edge. Shaheed provides explosive potential on every return, and Myers’ reliability stabilizes field position. Offensively, Seattle has diversified touches while maintaining structure in early-down efficiency. The defense continues to limit explosive runs and force opponents into tight passing windows.

Carolina’s path runs through Young’s command and tempo. His ability to extend plays, avoid negatives and finish drives has elevated Carolina during close-game stretches. The Panthers’ defensive front anchors their identity, but injuries weaken their rotational depth. Consistent early-down production from Dowdle and Hubbard remains critical to keeping pressure off Young.

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Key Information

Sport: NFL
Matchup: Seattle Seahawks vs Carolina Panthers
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Broadcast: FOX

Betting Odds (Projected Consensus)

Seahawks Moneyline: -225
Panthers Moneyline: +185
Seahawks Spread: -5.0 (-110)
Panthers Spread: +5.0 (-110)
Total: 43.5 (O/U -110)

The Seahawks Can Win If…

Seattle controls field position and maintains balance. Shaheed’s return value shortens drives, while Myers converts possessions into points. Geno Smith must limit turnover swings and maintain rhythm through intermediate spacing. Defensively, containing Young on scramble extensions is essential. If Seattle dictates tempo and forces Carolina into pass-heavy sequences, their advantage widens.

Seahawks Injury Report (Projected)

Coby Bryant, knee, questionable
Charles Cross, hamstring, questionable

Full updates available on the Seahawks team page.

The Panthers Can Win If…

Carolina sustains drives through efficient passing and situational discipline. Young excels in late-game execution and must distribute quickly to avoid Seattle’s pressure. The defensive front must compress run lanes and limit Seattle’s perimeter spacing. Red-zone execution and turnover creation provide the margin Carolina needs to match Seattle’s scoring consistency.

Panthers Injury Report (Projected)

Trevin Wallace, shoulder, questionable
Tershawn Wharton, hamstring, questionable

Latest Betting Trends (Modeled)

Seahawks SU last 5 games: 5-0
Seahawks ATS last 4: 3-1
Panthers SU last 6 at home: 4-2
Panthers ATS last 6 overall: 3-3
Seahawks O/U last 7 games: 5-2
Panthers O/U last 5: 3-2

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Best Bets and Prediction

Seattle maintains structural advantages on special teams and continues to execute in tight-contest environments. Carolina’s offense moves through Young’s precision, but their run-game inconsistency tightens their scoring window against Seattle’s disciplined front.

Projected Score: Seahawks 24, Panthers 20
Best Bet: Panthers +5
Secondary Lean: Under 43.5

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