Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 2025, 1 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Network: CBS
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Sam Darnold: STREAMER, QB2 (startable in Superflex)
What a roller-coaster game for Sam Darnold in last week’s historic win for the Seahawks over the Rams. It was classic Darnold versus the Rams for most of the game, throwing two bad interceptions and taking four sacks. But he was incredibly clutch down the stretch and made one of the best plays you’ll see a QB make to Cooper Kupp to set up the game-winning TD in overtime. Week 17 could be a letdown spot, or it could be a revenge spot against his former team. He’s a solid QB2 in Superflex leagues most weeks with the upside for more in the right matchups, which he gets here with the Panthers’ defense ranking 29th in dropback success rate (52.6%) over the last six games.
Running Back
Kenneth Walker III: START, RB2
Zach Charbonnet: FLEX, RB3
The Kenneth Walker III breakout game finally happened last week against the Rams. He totaled 164 yards, the second-most in a game of his career. We’ve been waiting for the home runs from Walker, and he ripped off a 55-yard score and a 46-yard catch-and-run in the same game, both being his two longest plays of the season. Zach Charbonnet is boring, but he scores touchdowns, keeping him in flex territory. It’s a solid spot for both backs, as Carolina is giving up the ninth-most PPR points per game to running backs.
Wide Receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: START, WR1
Rashid Shaheed: SIT
Cooper Kupp: SIT
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a set-and-forget option in the fantasy championship. Rashid Shaheed clearly adds some much-needed juice to Seattle’s offense outside of JSN, but the usage isn’t yet there to justify starting in 12-team leagues or shallower formats.
Tight End
AJ Barner: SIT
You aren’t starting AJ Barner with a fantasy championship on the line.
Defense/Special Teams
Seattle Seahawks: START
A rabid Seahawks defense against Bryce Young is a great setup for fantasy managers in the championship.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: SIT
The Seahawks’ defense is legit. Yes, Matthew Stafford just tore the Seahawks up for 457 yards and three TDs. While Bryce Young has looked better recently, he’s not Stafford. Young has still thrown for less than 200 yards in three of the past four games and is best left on the bench in a brutal matchup.
Running Back
Rico Dowdle: FLEX, low-end RB2
Chuba Hubbard: SIT
Trevor Etienne: SIT
Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard have been splitting touches for the past three games, though Dowdle still has a solid edge with 50 to Hubbard’s 35 during that time. Dowdle is the only Carolina back worth trusting in a nightmare matchup against Seattle’s elite run defense.
Wide Receiver
Tetairoa McMillan: START, WR2
Xavier Legette: SIT
Jalen Coker: SIT
Tetairoa McMillan is just a stud. He’s the clear alpha of the Panthers’ passing attack, and even in a challenging matchup against Seattle, McMillan has earned the trust as a weekly WR2 and looks like a future early-round fantasy pick for years to come. Jalen Coker is mildly interesting, but not enough for legitimate starter consideration. Xavier Legette is less interesting, but still plays nearly all the time.
Tight End
Tommy Tremble: SIT
No reason to start Tommy Tremble at this point of the season.
Defense/Special Teams
Carolina Panthers: SIT
The Panthers’ defense is back to being bad. Worst defensive success rate (50.2%) in the league since Week 11.