Seahawks vs. Panthers: Russell Wilson outduels Cam Newton in Seattle win

The Panthers forced three turnovers, but the offense only accounted for three of the team’s points: seven came off an interception returned for a touchdown by Captain Munnerlyn, while two came on a last-minute safety. Newton completed under 50 percent of his passes, going 12-for-29 for only 141 yards. Cat Scratch Reader deemed the game the worst of the 2011 No. 1 draft pick’s career:

Over at Field Gulls, SB Nation’s Seahawks blog, Jacson Bevens called the game a, “a phenomenal defensive effort that masks a litany of offensive shortcomings.”

While the offense might have left a little bit to be desired, the Seahawk defense was stout once again. Seattle allowed just three points defensively and preserved the win with a goalline stand and a forced fumble on the final possession. As has been the case all season for Seattle, Sunday’s game was a strong defensive performance with the offense just trying to do enough. Or as Bevens summarized it:

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO /clap clap clap

/chews gum /nods

Hauschka added his third field goal on a 44-yard effort to put Seattle up 16-10. Seattle later took a safety when punting from deep in their own end to close the scoring for the game.

Odds/Gambling: Carolina was a two-point favorite, so it failed to cover the spread. The over/under was set at 42.5 points, so those who took the under are smiling.

Could there be a brewing quarterback controversy in Seattle? After the season started out #AllRussellWilsonEverything, Wilson has struggled, no more so than while throwing this 33-yard interception for a touchdown to Carolina Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.

Luckily for the Seahawks, Cam Newton has also struggled, but the score put the Panthers ahead 10-6. The pass was several feet behind its intended receiver. And there wasn’t even a tall offensive lineman in the way!

As the Panthers struggled, Newton became the subject of debate in the first month of the season. But the performance in Atlanta seemed to momentarily quell that. He’ll need to come through at home against Seahawks, however, if the Panthers want to have any hope of making noise later in the year. Carolina is favored by a field goal, the typical amount of points that oddsmakers set for the home team in a game they feel is evenly matched.

Seattle bettors hope to continue profiting on their team as an underdog in Week 5, as the Seahwks visit Carolina to take on the Panthers.

In 14 games as an underdog, Seattle is a moneymaking 11-2-1 ATS, making the 3-point NFL betting line a tempting one.

ESPN seems to agree, as all six analysts who have submitted their picks are taking Carolina. However, CBS Sports feels quite differently, with six of its eight analysts going with Seattle. Yahoo! Sports is currently split, with one expert yet to submit his picks.