Three burning questions for Panthers against Seahawks

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 17: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers runs through the tunnel before playing the Seattle Seahawks at the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 17: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers runs through the tunnel before playing the Seattle Seahawks at the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Can the duo step up?

Can the dynamic duo bring it? That is the top burning question for Sunday. By dynamic duo, I mean  Newton and Christian McCaffrey. They are the two individuals on this team that make the offense run smoothly, and Carolina needs them to have good games if they want to have a shot at winning.

All things considered, Newton had a great game last week. Throwing for 357 yards and three touchdowns, he seemed to have all his throws working for him. McCaffrey did well too. He rushed the ball 13 times for 53 yards, and caught six passes for 57 yards. His 79.5 hands rating was his highest mark since the Panthers took on Tampa Bay. His 1,128 yards from scrimmage ranks him 10th in the entire National Football League.

Newton’s 20 touchdowns rank him 11th in all of football, and his 68.4 completion percentage puts him seventh. He also has two game-winning drives on the season, and that certainly counts for something. When Cam is on his game, defenses have a difficult time stopping him. They haven’t been too many instances where he has struggled this season. Can he keep up his high level of play against an aggressive and physical Seattle defense? Can Christian McCaffrey find running lanes against a talented group of linebackers? All those questions and more will be answered on Sunday.

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