LFR Sports

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: CAROLINA @ SEATTLE
(Sun., 3:30pm; SEA -3 1/2)

Unlike the equally road-bound Steelers, the Panthers are not healthy and with those bumps and bruises comes an exposure to the weaknesses of the their second and third-string players.

Carolina's loss of DeShaun Foster hurt the Panthers much more than having a wobbly Shaun Alexander in Seattle's backfield. How could the loss of the NFL's offensive MVP not sting as much as losing Carolina's back-up?

An increased in attention to the Panthers' WR Steve Smith will be this game's focal point. Smith has been Carolina's gamebreaker in each of its two playoff road victories. It's highly unlikely that Seattle's Mike Holmgren did not sit down with defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes and decide to double-team or triple-team Smith all day and take their chances with aging WR Ricky Proehl not beating them.

It's a smart move. Without RB Stephen Davis and now Foster, do you really think third-string running back Nick Goings will be a threat against a good Seattle run defense?

Seattle has proven unbeatable at home this season (9-0)and in the past few weeks has been able to changed the momentum of a game in their favor despite not playing very well.

The Battle In Seattle will not be much of one. Overwhelming take Seattle with the 3 1/2 points. Seahawks 33, Panthers 21.