Seahawks down Panthers 30-27 in yet another heartbreaker

It was another tough loss for a reeling Panthers squad.

What a frustrating game. It seems like I have been saying that a lot lately, but the fact of the matter is it’s true. The Carolina Panthers dropped another heartbreaker Sunday at the expense of the Seattle Seahawks by a 30-27 score.

The first quarter belonged to the Panthers. Quarterback Cam Newton looked particularly sharp in the frame, and Carolina was the only team to score. The points came via a Graham Gano field goal from 25 yards out. That concluded a six-play, 58-yard drive that took 3:21 and gave the Panthers an early lead.

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In comparison to the first frame, the second quarter was a scoring bonanza. Seattle would answer back as Sebastian Jankowski would kick a 33-yard field goal of his own to tie the game at three. That came at the 12:41 mark of the second quarter. Throughout the week, the Panthers talked about using wide receiver Curtis Samuel more and getting him additional opportunities. He would certainly take advantage of his first one on Sunday, catching a seven-yard touchdown pass from the arm of Newton to put the Panthers up 10-3 following a Gano extra point.

The Panthers lead would be short-lived however as Seattle would respond. Chris Carson ran the ball from a yard out to find paydirt and tie the game at 10 following a Jankowski extra point. That concluded a 75-yard drive that took a little under four minutes. Scored at the 2:24 mark, it looked as though Carolina would not have enough time to try and respond. Again though, the Panthers would respond. Graham Gano knocked a 25-yard field goal through the uprights with no time remaining in the second quarter to give the Panthers a three-point lead at 13-10. With both teams heading into the locker room, it was an eerie foreshadowing of what was to come.

The third frame opened up with a seven-play 80-yard drive for the Seahawks. It ended with a Tyler Lockett touchdown catch. That concluded a seven-play, 80-yard drive for the Seahawks, one that got them into a nice rhythm for the rest of the game. The third quarter would remain a defensive battle until the 1:41 mark of the quarter. The Panthers put a nice drive together that took a little over five minutes. It ended with a one-yard touchdown from Christian McCaffrey. Following a field goal, it put the Panthers in the lead yet again at 20-17. With the seesaw game continuing, it set the stage for an exciting fourth quarter.

The beginning of the fourth wasn’t exciting for Panthers fans. Jankowski booted a 30-yard field goal to tie the game and give Seattle some momentum. However, the Panthers would strike back as it would be McCaffrey again providing a boost for the team. This time, he was on the receiving end of a two-yard pass from Newton to put the Panthers ahead 27-20. Seattle would get the last laugh in this one, as the momentum appeared to shift in their favor for the rest of the game. First it was wideout David Moore putting the Seahawks even with Carolina, catching a 35-yard strike from the arm of Russell Wilson. The touchdown was scored with three minutes and 36 seconds left in the fourth. Again, that tied the game at 27 and gave the Seahawks the opportunity to have the last laugh

They did just that, ending the quarter on a methodical drive. Seven plays and 45 yards was all it took to set up Jankowski for the game-winner. As he has done over the years, he nailed a 31-yard field goal to give the Seahawks the win as time expired. It was yet another backbreaker for Carolina, who really needed to win this game in order to stay in the playoff hunt.

Newton would finish the day 25-of-30, throwing for 256 yards two touchdowns, and an interception. McCaffrey would lead all rushers, carrying the ball 17 times for 125 yards and a touchdown in what was a monster day on the ground. He also led all receivers through the air, catching 11 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Yet, it was not enough for the Panthers, who now face an uphill battle to make the playoffs. Their next game comes against the Buccaneers next Sunday at 1:00 PM. I hate to put games as a must-win, but right now for Carolina it is do or die.

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