It wasn’t the prettiest of victories for the NFC’s top-seeded team, but the Seattle Seahawks found enough of a rhythm on both sides of the ball to decisively defeat the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte on Sunday.
Career Day by Zach Charbonnet Carries Seahawks to Win
On a day when most people expected Seahawks QB Sam Darnold to feast on an average Carolina Panthers defense, it was running back Zach Charbonnet who had himself a game. The third-year backup finished with a career high of 110 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win.
Although the passing game for Seattle did not have the same level of firepower as it usually does, both Sam Darnold and star receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba still put together solid performances.
The two-time Pro Bowler finished with 147 yards and a touchdown, while JSN finished with nine catches for 72 yards in one of the rare games that JSN didn’t finish with 100 yards receiving this season.
Panthers Offense Posts Worst Performance of the Season
After coming off one of the better offensive performances of the season, both QB Bryce Young and the Panthers’ offense were thoroughly shut down in the loss. The 139 total yards on offense were the lowest total in a game for Carolina this season.
In a performance that seemed reminiscent of Young’s early career performances, the former Heisman winner finished with just 54 yards passing, along with an interception in the loss. Star rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan also had the worst game of his career so far against Seattle. The former All-American finished with one catch for five yards, as McMillan was questionable to play in today’s game due to an ongoing illness.
The only bright spot that existed for Carolina in this game was the rushing attack, with 99 of the Panthers’ 139 total yards coming on the ground. That attack was led by running back Rico Dowdle, who accounted for 59 yards rushing in the loss.
NFC Playoff Implications Post Seahawks-Panthers Game
There was quite a bit riding on this game for both teams, as the Seahawks were seeking to inch one step closer to clinching the NFC’s top seed, while the Panthers looked to wrap up the NFC South division title race today.
For Seattle, both Seahawks fans and players will turn their attention to the Monday night game tomorrow between the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons. If the Rams lose to Atlanta tomorrow night, the Seahawks will officially clinch both the NFC West division and the number one seed this season.
For Carolina, the Panthers’ playoff hopes come down to the final game of the year, as they will travel on the road to face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers once again to decide who the king of the NFC South will be this season.
