SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 7, 2012
Seahawks 16, Panthers 12: Seattle's defense highlighted another strong effort with a goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter and capped the effort by stripping Cam Newton to force a clinching turnover in a key road victory.
Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and the Seahawks finally solved their red-zone woes late in the third quarter, as Wilson hooked up with Golden Tate for a 13-yard touchdown pass on third down for a 13-10 lead.
Seattle's defense set up the go-ahead score, as Brandon Browner forced and recovered DeAngelo Williams' fumble on an option run to give the Seahawks the ball on the Carolina 27.
The Seahawks (3-2) were backed up in their own territory after stopping the Panthers on fourth-and-goal from the 1, and they elected to have punter Jon Ryan run out the back of the end zone for a safety. Carolina (1-4) had 59 seconds to go 69 yards, but Bruce Irvin stripped Newton on second down and Alan Branch fell on it to seal the win.
The Panthers managed just 190 total yards - their lone touchdown came on Captain Munnerlyn's 33-yard interception return for a 10-6 lead early in the third quarter. Newton was 12-for-29 for 141 yards and led the team with 42 rushing yards on seven carries.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Seattle's Marshawn Lynch had 85 yards on 21 carries. He has rushed for 85 or more yards in 13 of his past 14 games. … Steven Hauschka made field goals of 22, 36 and 44 yards for Seattle. … Seattle leads the all-time series 3-2 and has won the past two meetings.