The Panthers unfortunately just could not get anything going on offense, despite a strong effort from Mike Jackson and the defense. The offense spent most of the day with its longest play going only 8 yards. Mistakes were the theme of the day, but unfortunately the Seahawks made less of them than the Panthers on this particular Sunday.
First Quarter
The game started off with the Seahawks winning the coin toss (very important), deferring and Carolina receiving the kickoff. They answered with a nice run by Rico Dowdle,
but stalled immediately after for a punt. Seattle got the ball, and Sam Darnold started to look like Sam Darnold, as he threw a pass that got tipped and likely would have been a pick six for Jaycee Horn had he caught it. He followed that with another pass that could have been picked, a good completion on 3rd down, and then a scramble drill and throwaway resulting in a 21 yard loss as a result of intentional grounding. Seahawks punt. The Panthers responded in kind with a 3 and out on pass and runs by Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard cut short. Seattle took the ball far enough down the field to kick a field goal, 3-0. The Panthers offense again went 3 and out with Bryce Young and Chuba Hubbard having a weird miscommunication over a run handoff and had to punt.
Second Quarter
The Seahawks opened their next drive moving the ball pretty well, Mike Jackson decided otherwise and made back to back big stops, with a tackle for no gain on a Jaxon Smith-Njigba screen and a pass deflection. Seattle punted. Carolina managed some semblance of a drive, with a 4th down TUSH PUSH by Mitchell Evans, but the drive stalled in Seattle territory on a second 4th down attempt. Seattle took over, but Sam Darnold had his arm smacked by Nic Scourton, forcing a fumble. Seattle’s defense stood pat and forced a field goal, 3-3 with less than 4 minutes left in the half. We then got a wild series of events, as Seattle didn’t make much of an attempt to preserve clock. Claudin Cherelus made a big hit on Cooper Kupp that fell right into Derrick Brown’s hands, but unfortunately he couldn’t hold on for the interception. Then, Kenneth Walker caught a pass, fumbled short of the first down. There was likely cause to review it for an incomplete pass, but the refs didn’t stop the play. Seattle went for a sneak, but Sam Darnold was ruled short on 4th down, which also seemed questionable. At least the refs were consistent! Bryce Young couldn’t make anything of the field position and the half ended on an incomplete pass.
Third Quarter
Seattle managed to drive deep into Carolina territory on the opening drive of the half, but Mike Jackson made a wicked interception to keep points off the board. Unfortunately, Chuba Hubbard had the ball punched out on the very next play to put Seattle back in the drivers seat. They scored with a couple of powerful runs by Zach Charbonnet after Carolina couldn’t hold on a 3rd and 9. 10-3 Seattle. On the ensuing drive, Bryce Young threw a terrible pass behind Tetairoa McMillan that resulted in an interception. A few more runs and an AJ Barner receiving touchdown later, its 17-3 Seattle. The Panthers took over in a major deficit, found themselves in 4th and 1 early and Dave Canales pulled the trigger to go for it, with Bryce Young picking up the sticks on a scramble. The Panthers moved it into scoring territory, likely a must-be-TD situation, as the third quarter expired.
Fourth Quarter
Carolina did in fact, get the touchdown, as Bryce Young took it in himself. 17-10 Seattle. On the Seahawks next drive, the Panthers appeared to have forced a 3 and out after a DJ Wonnum sack and subsequent delay of game penalty. However, Jaycee Horn got called for a face mask on 3rd and very long, which was a killer. Seattle managed a field goal to put them up 20-10 with 5:33 left. The offense responded with a whimper, with back to back sacks and not a chance on a 4th and 17 completion short to Tetairoa McMillan. The Seahawks rode their rushing attack to another Zach Charbonnet touchdown. 27-10 Seahawks. With 2 and a half minutes left and no timeouts, the Panthers took over. Oh, and a short return by Trevor Etienne to boot! It didn’t matter, the Panthers kneeled the clock out. They are clearly onto next week.
What’s next
The Panthers face a reeling Buccaneers next week, in Tampa Bay, for the division crown (most likely, all weird playoff scenarios aside). The Panthers see-saw of winning and losing games back to back has maintained true today. While the Buccaneers have been on an improbable skid of losing games, this final game will most likely determine who goes to the playoffs, and who doesn’t. Its a real shame because this game was very winnable for most of the day, but the Panthers offense simply could not match the defense’s energy until it was too late.
Keep Pounding, my friends.
