Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks share similar path to the playoffs

The Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks outcome may have a big impact on the playoffs.

For 17 years the Carolina Panthers (6-4) rarely played the Seattle Seahawks (5-5). Meeting just five times before the arrival of quarterbacks Cam Newton and Russell Wilson, the two signal callers have become all too familiar with one another.

Since Wilson’s rookie season, one year after Newton’s, the Seahawks and Panthers have grown into one of the best non-divisional rivalries in the entire league. The two teams have played one another seven times, twice in the playoffs, with Seattle winning five and three inside Bank of America Stadium.

Playing at least once every year of Wilson’s career, until last season, these two teams renew their acquaintance on Sunday and find themselves in similar circumstances. Both are among a handful of teams with a legitimate opportunity at the playoffs but these two seemingly have only one path.

While Minnesota (5-4-1), Dallas (5-5), Green Bay (4-5-1) and even Detroit (4-6) or Philadelphia (4-6) still have an opportunity to win their division over current leaders Chicago (7-3, NFC North) and Washington (6-4, NFC East), the Panthers and Seahawks are both nearly mathematically eliminated already.

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The Seahawks are in a slightly tighter position than Carolina because they have already played the NFC West leading Los Angeles Rams twice this season. Suffering two losses, Seattle would need a Christmas miracle to take over the lead and earn a playoff berth via division title.

Carolina is chasing New Orleans but they do have both games against the Saints remaining on the schedule. Playing twice over the final three weeks, the Panthers do have a chance at still winning the NFC South, albeit a small one as New Orleans hasn’t lost since the season opener and displays no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

That leaves only the wildcard for either team to fight for down the stretch and with so many teams in the mix, a head-to-head victory would go a long way. Should these two teams end the season tied, whoever walks away with a victory would have the advantage.

The Panthers and Seahawks kickoff on Sunday, November 25 at 1:00pm EST in Charlotte.