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- The Seahawks defense beats the Panthers for a road win to stay atop the NFC. Mike Macdonald’s defense controlled the contest, driving the Panthers forward and suffocating Carolina’s passing attack. Seattle turned the tide in a sloppy contest in the second half, forcing back-to-back turnovers to set up a short score that blew the game open. The Seahawks held Carolina to 139 total yards, 1 of 11 on third down and 10 first downs. Macdonald’s D confused Bryce Young into panicked decisions and ineffective passes. The Panthers QB finished 14 of 24 passing for a scant 54 yards with an interception. It marked the fewest yards in a start of Young’s career. How stifling was the Seahawks’ defense? Carolina did not carry more than 11 yards the entire game. Demarcus Lawrence was a threat, forcing and recovering a huge fumble with the game still in the balance, silencing any comeback bids with a sack. The Seahawks D proved once again that it is a force and the reason why the Seahawks remain the No. 1 seed heading into Week 18.
- Charbonnet sparks the Seahawks offense. Power runner Zach Charbonnet was the best offensive player on the field Sunday, tearing through arm tackles and racking up yards when Seattle’s offense couldn’t get much going. Charbonnet had 110 rushing yards and two scores. With runs of 29 and 25 yards, the RB won the game’s only two plays of 20-plus yards. Seattle needed Charbonnet’s performance, as the passing game went through stops and starts. Sam Darnold turned the ball over twice, a fumble and an interception in the end zone. The QB is lucky he didn’t have more INTs on intercepted passes. Darnold had some great darts Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a big drive when Carolina chopped in the second half. However, they were too few and far between. Entering the postseason, Seattle needs more consistency from the offense for a deep January run.
- A upset loss in Carolina sets up a win and into Week 18 in the NFC South. A chance to secure the league title slipped away. A woeful pass attempt ended with Bryce Young taking a knee to hasten the loss. Fortunately for the Panthers, they have a chance to wipe out the depressing defeat when they face the caring Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the division title on the line. Dave Canales’ club has a lot to clean up in one week. The run defense needs to plug the gaps and the offense needs to wake up after Sunday’s sleepy effort. Beating Tampa in Week 16 gave the Panthers a chance to keep their season alive.
Next Gen Stats Insight for Seahawks-Panthers (via NFL Pro): All of Bryce Young’s production came on passes under 10 yards, completing 14 of 18 attempts for 54 yards (three carries). When targeting a receiver more than 10 yards downfield, Young went 0-for-3 with an interception. Young also had a rushing touchdown, his second of the season.
NFL Research: Seattle is now 5-1 in games where Sam Darnold has two-plus touchdowns in 2025 (no QB has more than two such wins in 2025, entering the late games).