Seahawks at Panthers -- Week 5

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. (grass, outdoors) 

When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox)

Spread: Panthers by 3 

Forecast: High-50s projected at kickoff, scattered showers possible. 

Records: Seahawks (Overall: 2-2, NFC West: 0-2); Panthers (Overall: 1-3, NFC South: 1-2)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 5, 2010: Seahawks 31, Panthers 10; Dec. 16, 2007: Panthers 13, Seahawks 10. Series record: Seahawks lead 3-2.

What matters: Road wins. Including last week's loss to the Rams, the Seahawks are 6-21 on the road since 2009. That's not good news for a team that's going to play three of its four games on the road in October. If Seattle's going to compete for a playoff spot this year, they're going to need to turn those road woes into wins, starting Sunday at Carolina. 

Who matters: RB Marshawn Lynch. With 423 yards through four weeks, Lynch is the NFL's leading rusher. With Seattle going against a Carolina defense that ranks 25th in the league against the run, you have to figure coach Pete Carroll's game plan will heavily involve Lynch. And yes, Lynch is always heavily involved in Carroll's game plan. But look for it to be extra heavy this week with Lynch possibly topping the season-high 26 carries he had in Week 2 vs. Dallas. 
 
Key matchups: Seahawks defense vs. Newton. In terms of quarterbacks, the Seahawks have seen a great one this season (Aaron Rodgers), a good one (Tony Romo), a young one (Sam Bradford) and two mediocre ones (the Cardinals Kevin Kolb and John Skelton). The Seahawks have done a good job against opposing QBs, but Newton will present a different set of problems. The second-year Panther leads the team in passing (1,013) and rushing yards (167). When going against a dual-threat QB like Newton, it's important for each defensive player to maintain his responsibilities. On the other hand, Newton could be in for a surprise Sunday. The best defense Newton's seen is Atlanta's, which ranks 15th in the NFL. The Seahawks will bring the No. 2 defense in the league to Carolina.  

Injuries of note: G John Moffitt (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday. Moffitt was also inactive for last week's game against the Rams and the Seahawks' Week 1 game vs. the Cardinals. DT Jaye Howard (foot) has also been ruled out. CB Marcus Trufant (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday. Starting DT Brandon Mebane (calf), who didn't practice Thursday, but returned to practice Friday, is listed as probable. 

Inside stuff: The Seahawks' 2012 draft class had a solid September. Russell Wilson's two wins tied Washington's Robert Griffin III for the most by a rookie starting quarterback, and Bruce Irvin's 2.5 sacks in September was tied for the lead among NFC rookies. 

Connections: Wilson will be returning to the state of North Carolina, where he played at North Carolina State from 2007-10 before transferring to Wisconsin. Assistant special teams coach Marquand Manuel spent a season as a player with Carolina (2007). 

Stat you should know: The Seahawks are the only team in the NFL with more rushing yards (603) than passing yards (523) this season. 

Record watch: Why is Sunday's game important? A loss to Carolina would drop the Seahawks to 2-3. Since joining the NFL as a expansion franchise in 1976, Seattle has never made the playoffs following a 2-3 start.  

Looking ahead: Including Sunday's game at Carolina, the Seahawks will be playing three games in an 11-day stretch. As if that's not difficult enough, the two games after the Panthers are at home against New England and a Thursday night road game at San Francisco. 

Prediction: Seahawks 27, Panthers 20

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Seahawks blogger John Breech follow @JohnBreech and @CBSSeahawks.