SEATTLE, WA - The Carolina Panthers led the Seattle Seahawks 13-12 at the half but were outscored in the second half, 25-14, ultimately losing the game, 37-27.
After two weeks of issues in the pass game, the Carolina Panthers found some answers with veteran Andy Dalton filling in for the injured Bryce Young. The rookie quarterback only managed to throw for 146 and 153 yards in the first two weeks and by halftime of this evening's game, Dalton eclipsed that mark by throwing for 158 yards.
Carolina lifted the lid on the scoring with a 47-yard field goal from Eddy Pineiro on their first possession of the game. Seattle answered with a 43-yarder from Jason Myers but had a little help earlier in the drive to set up the attempt. The Seahawks somehow received a first down on a controversial measurement that appeared to be short of the chain. If the Seahawks truly did get the line to gain, it wasn't by much.
Seattle had success moving the ball, but couldn't work its way into the end zone, picking up two more field goals over its next three drives. The Panthers were near perfect on third down, allowing just one conversion on eight attempts. Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero took full advantage of the banged-up Seahawk offensive line by dialing up some pressure early and often. The Panthers sacked Geno Smith twice in the first half and recorded six QB hits.
Miles Sanders had his longest run of the season (15 yards) on a play that looked over from the start. Sanders put a spin on Jordyn Brooks and hopped through a tight crease before being wrestled down across midfield. Moments later, the Panthers connected on their longest completion of the season as Andy Dalton found a wide-open DJ Chark for a 47-yard score.
The Panthers added on to their lead with another field goal from Pineiro following an interception by Deion Jones. Seattle made it a one-point game with yet another field goal from Myers in the final minute of the second quarter.
Seattle outscored the Panthers 10-0 in the third quarter with seven of those points coming off a missed opportunity for Carolina where they had the Seahawks playing well behind the chains on 1st & 21. Cornerback Donte Jackson got caught with his eyes in the backfield ready to make a jump on an underneath route while running back Kenneth Walker III slipped open downfield to make the first down catch. Walker capped the drive off with a one-yard touchdown rush to make it 22-13.
Down two scores, the Panthers needed an answer and they got it thanks to the Andy Dalton-Adam Thielen connection. Dalton had pressure in his face on 3rd & 3 and made a nice off-balance throw to Thielen for a gain of 23. Dalton then found Thielen on a drag route, running it all the way down to the one. Miles Sanders finished things off with his first rushing touchdown as a Panther.
Unfortunately for Carolina, the Seahawks drove right back down the field, regaining the two-score lead. It was a balanced approach as Geno Smith went 2/2 for 30 yards on the drive and the combination of Walker and Charbonnet went for 31. Walker scampered into the end zone for his second score of the day.
Dalton and the Panthers were on the move looking to get back in it, but the offensive line couldn't refrain from getting a head start, getting called for multiple false start penalties. Once Carolina got behind the chains, Dalton had to take some low-percentage shots and was forced to punt it back to Seattle.
The Panthers had one more chance but couldn't manage to do anything after picking up one first down. Dalton was sacked on 4th & 7, giving the Seahawks prime field position to seal the deal. Geno Smith put the game out of reach with a touchdown pass to Jake Bobo and then a two-point conversion to Tyler Lockett.
Dalton marched the offense down the field one more time, connecting for another touchdown with Adam Thielen for the final score of the night.
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