Seahawks-Panthers Final Score: Seahawks stun Panthers 30-27 thanks to Russell Wilson’s heroics

In an incredible, thrilling offensive shootout, the Seattle Seahawks (6-5) scored the game’s final 10 points thanks to a remarkable performance from Russell Wilson, who threw for 339 yards and two touchdowns, making clutch throw after clutch throw in the final quarter. The Carolina Panthers (6-5) were on the cusp of taking the lead in the game’s final two minutes, but Graham Gano missed a field goal from 51 yards out, setting the stage for Wilson’s heroics. A long bomb to Tyler Lockett on 3rd down set up Sebastian Janikowski to make his own game-winner as time expired.

Seattle overcame a tremendous showing by Christian McCaffrey (239 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns), plus horrendous fumble luck (none recovered on five attempts), as well as an off day rushing the ball to get above .500 and a significantly boosted chance of making the playoffs. This was Carolina’s first home loss all season, and it might cost them dearly down the line.

1st Half

The Seahawks started with a three-and-out, while the Panthers just picked apart Seattle’s defense to get inside the 10-yard line. However, a third-down stop on a Cam Newton run led to the Panthers going for it on 4th and 2. Newton kept it and was stopped just short by Jarran Reed, creating a turnover on downs.

After another Seahawks punt, Newton was able to find rookie DJ Moore for 28 yards into Seahawks territory, as Bobby Wagner was in coverage. Jarius Wright was wide open for 27 more yards to put the Panthers back into the red zone. Nazair Jones obliterated Christian McCaffrey on a 3rd and 2, this time forcing the Panthers to kick a field goal. 3-0 Panthers.

Seattle finally generated offense, primarily through the air, with some big catches from Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Nick Vannett, and even Malik Turner. However, Russell Wilson overthrew Baldwin for a touchdown on 3rd down, leading to a chipshot field goal for Sebastian Janikowski. 3-3.

After an exchange of punts, the Panthers went to its book of creative option and reverse plays to get inside Seattle’s 10 for the third time in the half. This time they finally scored a touchdown, as Curtis Samuel was wide open off of play-action thanks to a Shaquill Griffin slip. 10-3 Panthers.

The Seahawks answered right back thanks to a 27-yard catch-and-run by Tyler Lockett on 3rd down, shortly thereafter followed by a 28-yard deep ball to, of all people, fullback Tre Madden. At the 1-yard line, Chris Carson punched it in to tie the game. 10-10.

Cam Newton, who had a perfect first-half, marched the Panthers down the field with ease, as Christian McCaffrey remained an absolute nightmare to stop. Tre Flowers made a crucial tackle of McCaffrey in-bounds on 3rd down to prevent a touchdown, and the Panthers were again reduced to kicking a field goal. 13-10 Panthers at halftime.

2nd Half

It looked as if the Panthers were on their way to another red-zone score, but Cam Newton’s end zone throw into tight coverage saw Bradley McDougald make a tremendous interception after batting the ball in the air.

Uhhhhh we’ll get to the rest of the drive in a second, but did you see this?!

Anyway, David Moore got free on a 3rd and long blitz, gaining 54 yards deep down the field. That was on a 3rd and 12! Meanwhile, Tyler Lockett was able to haul in a 3rd and 8 pass in the end zone for the go-ahead score. It was ruled down at the 1, then overturned after a challenge. 17-13 Seahawks.

Carolina torched the Seahawks defense some more, benefited from fumble luck thanks to consecutive recoveries when Christian McCaffrey and Jarius Wright coughed the ball up. A Shaquill Griffin pass interference led to a McCaffrey walk-in from a yard out. 20-17 Panthers.

Seattle went well into the 4th quarter on a lengthy 14-play, 63-yard drive that included a fourth-down conversion by Chris Carson. Unfortunately, it only led to 3 points. 20-20.

Christian McCaffrey had a wide open hole for 60 yards on the next play, with Shaquill Griffin making a touchdown-saving tackle. After fumbling AGAIN only for the Panthers to recover it, McCaffrey was open on a 3rd down pick play for a touchdown. 27-20 Panthers.

Faced with 4th and 3 at the Carolina 35, Russell Wilson took a deep shot to the end zone... and David Moore was there for the tying touchdown. INCREDIBLE! 27-27.

Of course, Cam Newton sliced up a porous Seahawks secondary some more, easily getting into the outer edge of Graham Gano’s field goal range. An incomplete pass on 2nd down stopped the clock for Seattle, then Tre Flowers stopped DJ Moore short of the marker with 1:45 to go. The Seahawks were out of timeouts, and Graham Gano was trotted out for a 51-yard field goal. The kick... WIDE RIGHT!

On 3rd and 5, Russell Wilson bought time and found Tyler Lockett free for 43 yards to the Carolina 9. Amazing play! Two kneels and a spike brought out Sebastian Janikowski with :04 to go. A 31-yarder... GOOD!!!!!

Seahawks injury report

FB Tre Madden left the game with a shoulder injury, and did not return.

Next week’s opponent

The Seahawks will return home on December 2nd for a divisional matchup against the San Francisco 49ers (2-9) at 1:25 PM PT on FOX.