Rashid Shaheed has helped put the “particular” within the Seattle Seahawks’ particular groups.
Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards for a landing final Thursday in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams, sparking a 16-point, fourth quarter comeback in Seattle’s 38-37 time beyond regulation victory.
The NFC West-leading Seahawks (12-3) will look to increase their five-game successful streak Sunday once they play the NFC South-leading Carolina Panthers (8-7) in Charlotte, N.C.
“It gave us life,” Seahawks security Julian Love stated of the punt return. “We felt like, for this recreation, our particular groups was a weapon. We’ve got a very good unit. Once we received Rashid this yr, it gave us an entire new sense of focus and vitality on particular groups, simply figuring out that he can return a kick at any second.”
Shaheed, acquired from New Orleans on the commerce deadline, additionally returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a landing Dec. 7 at Atlanta.
The Seahawks are tied for fourth with 27.9 yards per kickoff return and are fourth in common punt return at 15.6. Kicker Jason Myers leads the NFL with 37 discipline objectives.
“I imply, our particular groups’ unit has simply been an enormous catalyst for us,” Seattle coach Mike Macdonald stated.
The Seahawks will strive to not look forward to their regular-season finale at San Francisco, a recreation that may decide the division champion and maybe the No. 1 seed within the NFC.
“Our subsequent aim is to win the division,” Macdonald stated. “Now, you possibly can’t do this until you win the subsequent one, so it is the identical message. Clearly, actually excited to be within the dance. Something can occur when you get in, however we received a division title on the road that we have to go seize.”
The Panthers are coming off a 23-20 victory in opposition to visiting Tampa Bay that gave them a one-game lead over the Buccaneers within the division. These groups may also meet in Week 18.
“The playoffs are a pair weeks away. We do not have the posh to have the ability to take into consideration that and play ‘what-if.’ We’ve got to give attention to (this) week,” Carolina quarterback Bryce Younger stated. “Proper now, it is enjoyable within the locker room, we get to carry out, however for all of us, after 24 hours, subsequent week would be the greatest recreation of the yr. That is at all times how it will likely be. That is at all times going to be our method.”
Younger drove the Panthers down the sector for a go-ahead discipline aim with a bit greater than two minutes remaining final week. It was the twelfth game-winning drive within the fourth quarter or time beyond regulation in three seasons for Younger — essentially the most of any QB over that span.
Younger was 21 of 32 for 191 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to the Bucs. The Panthers relied on him with Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard combining for simply 56 yards speeding on 15 carries.
“He threw it away when he needed to, prolonged the play when he might,” Carolina coach Dave Canales stated of Younger.
Panthers inside linebacker Trevin Wallace (shoulder) and defensive sort out Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) missed apply time this week, as did Seahawks security Coby Bryant (knee) and left sort out Charles Cross (hamstring).
–Area Stage Media
