TALKING POINTS
If ever there was a game where a team that’s been to two straight Super Bowls did itself credit with a loss, this was the one.
This game was over at halftime. The Panthers dominated the Seahawks unlike any team has in years, leading 31-0. That score was every bit indicative of how the game was going, too, as Carolina kicked Seattle’s tails in every possible way.
The Seahawks could easily have folded and called it a season. Instead, they came out with belief, and somehow got within one score with a chance to get the ball back one last time. It required a great catch of an onside kick by Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis to prevent Seattle from its opportunity of invoking the name Frank Reich.
Just how much was this game a tale of two halves? Check out these numbers.
– Points in the first half: Carolina 31, Seattle 0; points in the second half: Seattle 24, Carolina 0
– Total yards in the first half: Carolina 220, Seattle 123 (it was 213-17 at one point); total yards in the second half: Seattle 280, Carolina 75.
– Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the first half: 10-for-17 for 111 yards and two interceptions (including a pick-six), which is a 38.7 passer rating; Wilson in the second half: 21-for-31 for 255 yards and three touchdowns, which is a 125.1 passer rating.
Unfortunately for the Seahawks, they dug themselves too deep a hole, and unlike last year against Green Bay there was no onside-kick miracle this time around.
That hole developed immediately. It was an ominous sign when, on the first play from scrimmage, Carolina’s Jonathan Stewart broke free for a 59-yard run. The Panthers ended up marching 75-yard on just four plays, all on the ground, to open the scoring just 2:30 in.
That cloud hanging over Seattle only got darker when the Seahawks’ first two plays resulted in Marshawn Lynch getting stuffed for a 3-yard loss, followed by an under-pressure Wilson throwing a pick-six to Luke Kuechly. Seattle was down 14-0 before the crowd even had a chance to settle in.
It continued to go sideways for Seattle in the first half. Carolina had five scores on its first four possessions, thanks to Kuechly’s defensive TD. The Seahawks, on their first five possessions, had two interceptions and turned the ball over on downs. Seattle was mauled in the line-of-scrimmage battle on both sides of the ball. A missed 55-yard field goal as time expired seemed a fitting end to a dreadful half for Seattle.
But the Seahawks were imperious in the second half. A big Tyler Lockett return on the opening kickoff of the second half set up a touchdown just 1:33 in, setting the second-half tone. Seattle, going to the hurry-up offense, moved the ball on each of its drives. The Seahawks needed to score on every drive and stop Carolina on every drive in the second half to have a chance. Seattle succeeded on defense, but came up one drive short on offense.
So it won’t be a Super Bowl three-peat for the Seahawks. But every playoff team’s season ends in a loss except for one, and Seattle can hold its head high after this one.
– Seattle had Lynch back after missing eight games, but by falling behind so quickly the Seahawks were never really able to utilize him. Lynch finished the game with six carries for 20 yards, and the Seahawks only handed the ball off to their running backs eight times total.
– Seattle’s receivers came to play. Jermaine Kearse had 11 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Doug Baldwin had eight catches for 82 yards. Tyler Lockett had three catches for 75 yards and a TD, making some incredible plays along the sidelines.
– Stewart finished with 106 yards on 19 carries and two TDs. The Lacey native became the first back to gain 100 yards against the Seahawks since Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles in Week 11 last season, a span of 26 games.
– The field at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte just had new sod put down. It was evident the turf was not in good condition as players slipped often, particularly early in the game before players were able to change cleats.
– On the injury front, Seattle lost tackle Russell Okung to a dislocated shoulder and defensive end Cliff Avril to a neck injury, both in the second quarter. Seattle coach Pete Carroll said after the game that Avril was fine.
TURNING POINT
The game did a complete U-turn at halftime, though it didn’t end up changing the result. The Kuechly pick-six was probably the decisive moment, as it put Seattle on its heels less than four minutes into the game and forced the Seahawks out of their game plan.
BOX SCORE
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