The Carolina Panthers made a point of avoiding any temptation to box-score watch in Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Dave Canales wanted to keep focus firmly on what they were doing. Unfortunately, it did not have the desired effect.
Carolina was soundly beaten by the NFC's No. 1 seed. Canales' squad has pulled off some impressive upsets against Super Bowl hopefuls this season, but toppling Seattle was a step too far. It was a disappointing outing made worse by events unfolding elsewhere.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' terrible run of results continued with a shocking defeat at the hands of the Miami Dolphins, led by Quinn Ewers. A win for Carolina would have sealed the NFC South with one game remaining. That didn't happen, and now, Canales must rally his troops for a last surge at Raymond James Stadium with everything on the line in Week 18.
If the Panthers beat the Buccaneers, they will win the NFC South for the first time in a decade. A defeat, and they will be going home. The playoffs are starting early for Carolina, but significant improvements are needed.
Before then, here are three winners and four losers as the Panthers rounded off their regular-season home engagements with a dismal defeat.
Winners and losers from the Carolina Panthers' ugly defeat to the Seahawks
Loser No. 1
Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers RB
There's been a lot to like about Chuba Hubbard's production in recent weeks. It was a slow start for the running back due to injury, which impacted his explosiveness. Working in tandem with Rico Dowdle gave the Carolina Panthers an added spark. But when they cannot establish themselves on the ground, things tend to unravel.
Hubbard gave up a crucial fumble in the third quarter. It was the start of a devastating sequence that turned the game on its head. He brought in three receptions for just six receiving yards and mustered 12 rushing yards on four carries. Considering how much was at stake, fans were expecting more from one of the team's cornerstones.
The former Oklahoma State standout has overcome plenty of adversity throughout his career. Hubbard is experienced enough to shake this off and regain his focus for Week 18 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Anything less, and the Panthers are going to have a massive problem.
Things just haven't clicked for Hubbard this season. This performance was a microcosm of how things have gone for the 2021 fourth-rounder, but all hope is not lost.
Winner No. 1
Mike Jackson Sr. - Carolina Panthers CB
There were very few positives to take from this one. The Carolina Panthers were second best almost from start to finish, and they never looked capable of clawing their way back into the clash.
That being said, some bright spots emerged on defense. And it was clear that Mike Jackson Sr. came into the contest with some extra motivation after being cast aside by the Seattle Seahawks before the 2024 campaign.
The veteran cornerback got dealt for nothing more than seventh-round rookie linebacker Michael Barrett, who never even made Seattle's roster. Jackson was hurt, but it turned out to be an absolute steal from Carolina's perspective. With 11 tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception, he emerged as the Panthers' best defensive player in Week 17.
Jackson's come on strongly as the campaign has progressed. The Panthers still need another starting-caliber corner to go alongside him and Jaycee Horn, but his long-term future looks extremely secure.
Loser No. 2
Carolina Panthers offensive line
This is not a game that anyone along the offensive line will remember with any great fondness. The Panthers depended on this unit to keep Bryce Young's pocket clean and to plow the space needed to establish a strong rushing attack. Neither happened, and Carolina's offense completely stuttered as a result.
The Seahawks knew precisely where to attack Carolina. They generated consistent pressure with just four rushers more often than not. And when Mike Macdonald called some creative blitz packages, they descended on Young almost immediately.
That's a bad combination, and the Panthers were soundly beaten. Improvements are needed before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This also raises the urgency to potentially get Pro Bowl right guard Robert Hunt back from his lengthy absence.
Hunt had his 21-day practice window opened, but Week 17 came too soon. If the interior force responds well to having his workload ramped up in the coming days, don't be surprised if he's in the lineup at Raymond James Stadium.
Winner No. 2
Nic Scourton - Carolina Panthers OLB
The Panthers have a player of immense promise in Nic Scourton. General manager Dan Morgan thought trading up for the talented edge rusher at No. 51 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft was a risk worth taking, and he's been rewarded with instant production and increasing influence from the first-year pro. Those flashes were evident once again in Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Scourton was a constant menace, especially early on. He helped himself to another sack and was the only player generating consistent pressure off the edge. It wasn't enough to prevent the Seahawks from comfortably seeing out the contest, but Carolina's primary failings were on offense.
One more massive effort from Scourton is needed to get the Panthers into the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Regardless of whether Carolina attains postseason football, that doesn't detract from the bright future awaiting the Texas A&M product if additional polish arrives.
Loser No. 3
Jaycee Horn - Carolina Panthers CB
The Carolina Panthers have gotten another Pro Bowl year from cornerback Jaycee Horn. He's a phenomenally positive influence on this team, both on and off the field. Still, this wasn't his most profitable afternoon at the office by any stretch of the imagination.
Horn's day could have been different if he'd brought in a golden interception opportunity early in the contest. It's a play the defensive back would make 99 times out of 100, but it slipped through his grasp. And things only got worse from there.
The former South Carolina standout gave up a couple of key receptions to Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Horn also grabbed the wideout's facemask in a 3rd-and-long moment when the Panthers looked primed to get off the field. That was inexcusable, and it cost Carolina dearly.
Horn's got enough about him to bounce back quickly. The Panthers are counting on it with Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, and Chris Godwin up next.
Winner No. 3
A'Shawn Robinson - Carolina Panthers DL
The Panthers' defense tried hard to keep them in the game. Getting no time to rest in between drives wasn't ideal, and it eventually became their undoing. There was too much to overcome, but as stated previously, there were some bright spots to emerge on this side of the football.
A'Shawn Robinson was among them. The veteran interior lineman moved the pile and made things difficult. Sam Darnold got into his groove as the defense tired, but they were more than a match for the Seahawks' offensive line before fading relatively late.
Robinson's power and aggression stood out in the trenches. He got off blocks and frequently moved Darnold off his spot. The former Alabama standout also helped himself to nine tackles and one quarterback hit, which emerged as a definite shining light amid the almost constant doom and gloom.
If Robinson does the same this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Panthers will be in good shape.
Loser No. 4
Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers QB
It was evident from pretty early on that this was not going to be a comfortable afternoon at the office for Bryce Young. The quarterback has shown promise this season, but the Panthers didn't have the firepower or protection to give him a fighting chance of even being remotely competitive.
Young had almost no time to review his progressions. He barely got time to set his feet as pressure came from all angles. The timing was off with his pass-catchers, and aside from a few notable runs, the Seahawks' smothering defense kept him in check.
This was a slight setback for Young, but nothing's really changed. Sure, the Panthers could have wrapped up the division after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Miami Dolphins. At the same time, relying on others was not Carolina's primary method to get into the knockout rounds.
After 54 passing yards from 24 attempts, Young would be wise to shrug off this performance and move on quickly.