Panthers Hold On To Win Against Seahawks To Advance To NFC Championship

Continuing their most successful season in franchise history after a 15-1 regular season, the Carolina Panthers played their first playoff bout for this year against the wild-card Seattle Seahawks yesterday. Playing at home in Charlotte, the Panthers wasted no time in taking advantage of the Seahawks after having a first round bye and being well-rested.

The Panthers dominated the first half on both sides of the ball, with running back Jonathan Stewart running for two touchdowns on different offensive drives. In between those touchdowns, linebacker Luke Kuechly intercepted Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson for a 14-yard touchdown of his own, to make the score 21-0. Later, tight end Greg Olsen caught an impressive 19-yard catch thrown by quarterback Cam Newton to make it a whopping 31-0 before halftime.

When the second half started, the Seahawks would not bow down just yet to the Panthers, who won 12 straight home games before yesterday’s game. Wilson would throw two quick touchdowns on different drives to wide receivers Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett to cut the lead to 31-14. After a fake punt was executed later by the Seahawks, this would be capped by a three-yard catch by Kearse to bring the score to 31-21. Once field goal kicker Steven Hauschka kicked a field goal to bring the lead within a touchdown with 1:12 remaining, a failed onside kick was called and ultimately had the Panthers win the game.

This will be their fourth NFC Championship appearance in franchise history with their first game being played at home. Different Panthers players stated after the game that this was their test to see how they can compete in playoff action. “That’s what this game is going to teach us,” said Kuechly. “No matter how good you play in the first half, the second half is just as important. It’s crazy – you go into these games and you expect it to be like this, so it wasn’t a surprise for us. But you’ve got to be locked in the whole game.”

The Panthers will host the Arizona Cardinals next week for the NFC Championship game set to kick off at 6:40 p.m.

Photo: CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 17: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers in action against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)