Hauschka field goal makes it 17-10
The Seahawks put together a nice drive, which started at their own 12-yard line, but it eventually stalled out when Russell Wilson was sacked on third down. Steven Hauschka made a 37-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to give the Seahawks a touchdown lead.
As I mentioned earlier, not a lot in this space down the stretch because of night-game, deadline issues.
Bizarre sequence ends with Panthers field goal
Carolina added a field goal at the end of the half to make it 14-10, and it took a lot of strange happening to get to that field goal. The Panther could have kicked the field goal earlier in the drive but went for it on 4th-and-1 and barely converted. Earl Thomas then appeared to have an interception two plays later, but the play was reviewed and overturned. Then after Carolina had to settle for a field goal with time running out, first they were called for a false start, all while Kam Chancellor hurdled the line trying for the block. On the next attempt, Chancellor hurdled the line again (might want to change your snap count, Panthers) and while he didn’t get the block—replays show he may have tipped it—Graham Gano’s kick missed. The Panthers got one more shot at it, however, because Chancellor was flagged for running into Gano, and Gano made the next attempt to make it 14-10.
A few stats from the half.
Seattle outgained Carolina by a single yard, 170-169, though Carolina ran 18 more plays. The Seahawks had the ball for just five plays in the second quarter, though one of those was a 63-yard touchdown pass.
Marshawn Lynch was held to just 21 yards on eight carries. Russell Wilson was 9 for 13 for 149 and two touchdowns, good for a passer rating of 147.1. Doug Baldwin caught three passes for 38 yards and a score, while Jermaine Kearse had two catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Wilson to Kearse puts Seahawks back on top
So much for the defensive struggle. After Carolina answered the Seahawks’ opening touchdown, Seattle answered right back, scoring on a 63-yard pass from Russell Wilson to Jermaine Kearse, a play that saw the receiver haul in a one-handed pass with his other arm pinned by cornerback Bene Benwikere.
That score was the longest pass play in Seahawks postseason history, surpassing a 56-yard pass from Dave Krieg to Steve Largent in 1984.
It’s worth noting that both Seahawks touchdowns came on third and long, and both came against a rookie defensive back. It appears the Seahawks are going to test those young DBs if they get man coverage, and so far they’re winning those battles.
Panthers answer
Carolina tied the game with an impressive drive to answer Seattle’s touchdown, going 79 yards on 14 plays, taking up 8:12 of the clock. Cam Newton hit rookie Kelvin Benjamin on a slant route for a 7-yard touchdown to finish the drive.
That was the first touchdown the Seahawks had given up since the second quarter of their December win over the 49ers, a span of 11 quarters without allowing a touchdown.
Another Carolina turnover sets up a Seahawks touchdown
The Seahawks have a 7-0 lead thanks to a very nice touch throw from Russell Wilson to Doug Baldwin, who shook rookie safety Tre Boston with some precise route-running.
The drive started in good field position thanks to a Carolina turnover. Cam Newton botched the exchange with Jonathan Stewart, and before Stewart to corral the handoff, Michael Bennett was in the backfield to rip the ball loose. Tony McDaniel recovered to give Seattle the ball at the 28-yard line.
Sherman intercepts Newton
Rather than play it safe on third-and-four, the Panthers decided to test Richard Sherman deep, and the result was what often happens when teams test Sherman deep—an interception.
It wasn’t the worst result for Carolina, however, because it went 43 yards, which is better than either of the Panthers’ first two punts.
Plenty of punting early
Considering that neither team has scored more than 16 points in the past three meetings between these two teams, it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that neither offense is moving the ball well so far. Carolina opened the game with two straight three-and-outs, while Seattle managed a first down on its first play, but has since punted twice.
One injury (sort of) note, it has been announced in the press box that Byron Maxwell had shortness of breath, and that his return to the game is probable. Maxwell missed practice Wednesday because of illness, so this could be related to that. Tharold Simon, back from a shoulder injury that kept him out of Seattle’s Week 17 game, started at right cornerback.
And one quick programming note, with this being a night game, updates might be somewhat infrequent. I’ll do my best, but for more check me out on twitter: @johnpboyle.
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