Is win more important for Seahawks or Panthers?

Is this a bigger game for Carolina, to make a statement, or Seattle, which is 2-3?

LINDSAY H. JONES

It would be a bigger statement game for the Seahawks only if they were to lose, because even at 2-3, there’s a prevailing feeling in Seattle (amongst the fan base, local media as well as in the locker room) that everything’s going to be fine for the Seahawks. If Carolina wins this game, yes, it would be huge for the Panthers, who would take over first-place in the NFC South and would break a Cam Newton’s winless streak against Seattle. But if that’s the outcome that happens in Seattle, the bigger headlines will be what a big loss it is for the Seahawks, and what a win it is for the Panthers, because it would be a sign that the issues that plagued the Seahawks in prior losses to St. Louis, Green Bay and Cincinnati aren’t flukes.

MICHAEL MIDDLEHURST-SCHWARTZ

Forget the statement. Seattle needs a win. The Seahawks' offense is in a bad way, and their defense can't bail them out of every contest. Yes, Pete Carroll's crew can still do damage as long as it makes the playoffs. But they still have to face Arizona twice and Pittsburgh after Ben Roethlisberger returns. A home loss would be another serious sign of trouble in the Pacific Northwest.

TOM PELISSERO

Of course, pulling the upset would be huge for Carolina. But this game is essential for the Seahawks. They’ve been a dominant home team and that can’t change. It’s part of their identity. Not to mention that falling to 2-4 as the Seahawks prepare to go on the road the next two weeks – at San Francisco and Dallas – would make it that much tougher to close the gap on the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West.

ERIC PRISBELL

This is clearly a bigger game for the Seattle Seahawks. As uneven as the Seahawks’ season has been thus far, at least they have home field. If they win all their home games, they will make the playoffs and be in prime position to make a run in January. The Panthers, who play almost everyone close, aren’t quite as good as their record indicates. The Seahawks cant afford to drop a game at home, especially after the extremely deflating loss in Cincinnati last week. With the Atlanta Falcons dropping their first game Thursday at New Orleans, the Panthers can afford to drop a game and stay right in the mix atop the NFC South standings. The pressure is all on Seattle in this one. If the Seahawks drop two games under .500 with a second consecutive loss, this one at home, sound the alarm.

LORENZO REYES

This is bigger for Carolina, mainly because the Seahawks have already been to the top. Even though 2-4 would be a big hole to climb out of, we know Seattle is capable of facing struggles early in the year and turning that into runs to the Super Bowl. The Panthers haven’t. So even though they’re currently undefeated and in position to make some noise in the NFC South, this is the type of game that would make a statement to the rest of the league and give the injury-riddled Panthers some confidence. And with games against the Eagles, Colts and Packers coming up after this, Carolina will need it.