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Seahawks’ defense stifles Newton, drops Panthers

Carolina Panthers (59) linebacker Luke Kuechly tackles (81) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate following a pass reception during first quarter action on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

By Ron Green Jr., The Charlotte Observer –

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — So much for turning things around.

The Carolina Panthers’ disappointing season took another negative turn Sunday with a 16-12 loss to Seattle at Bank of America Stadium.

With its offense ineffective for all but one fourth-quarter drive, the Panthers fell to 1-4 and likely out of any postseason possibilities as they enter their bye week.

Seattle effectively shut down the Panthers offense, limiting them to 190 total yards while frustrating quarterback Cam Newton.

Newton completed 12 of 29 passes for 141 yards. It was the fewest yards gained in Ron Rivera’s time as head coach.

The Panthers were one yard away from possibly changing the outcome.

Having driven from their 20-yard line in their best offensive possession of the game, the Panthers faced fourth-and-goal from the Seattle 1-yard line with less than four minutes remaining. Electing to go for the go-ahead touchdown rather than a field goal, the Panthers couldn’t convert.

On fourth down, Newton rolled to his right, waiting for a receiver to come open. Tight end Ben Hartsock wound up open in the end zone but Newton threw the ball short into the dirt, killing the threat.

The Panthers’ last chance ended when Newton lost a fumble with 41 seconds remaining, trying to lead a last-minute drive.

The Panthers found a spark with their defense when cornerback Captain Munnerlyn intercepted a Russell Wilson pass and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown to put the Panthers ahead 10-6 early in the third quarter.

It was one of three turnovers the Seahawks made in the third quarter but the only one which the Panthers could convert into a score.

Wilson, the former N.C. State star, had 19 completions in 25 attempts for 221 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

The Panthers didn’t have 100 yards in total offense until more than midway through the third quarter as the Seahawks frustrated them with their swarming defense.

Seattle regained the lead after Carolina tailback DeAngelo Williams lost a fumble at the Panthers’ 27-yard line. Facing third and eight, Wilson found Golden Tate for a 13-yard touchdown to put Seattle ahead 13-10 with 35 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Another tailback fumble—this one by Jonathan Stewart that he recovered—cost the Panthers a first down, leading to a punt. The Seahawks then converted it into a 44-yard Steven Hauschka field goal and a 16-10 lead with 10:27 remaining.

The Seahawks led 6-3 at halftime.

It was a flat performance by the Panthers’ offense, which couldn’t solve the Seattle defense, which is ranked third in the NFL.

Three of the Panthers first four possessions were three-and-outs while the other managed two first downs but didn’t move deep into Seahawks’ territory. It didn’t help that the Panthers were stuck with poor field position, their average starting position on five first-half drives being their own 13-yard line.

Playing without three starters—middle linebacker Jon Beason, cornerback Chris Gamble and offensive guard Geoff Hangartner—the Panthers couldn’t generate any momentum in the first half, surrendering a handful of long third-down conversions to Seattle.

The Seahawks took a 3-0 lead on a 22-yard Hauschka field goal with 10:29 left in the first quarter. Haustchka stretched the lead to 6-0 with a 36-yard field goal in the second quarter, capping a 12-play Seattle possession.

The Panthers finally found a bit of offensive rhythm late in the first half, relying on Cam Newton’s scrambling ability—and the help of a roughing the passer penalty on Seattle—to set up a 32-yard Justin Medlock field goal with two seconds remaining in the half.

Wilson completed 12 of 13 passes for 123 yards in the first half, while Newton struggled, completing just three of 15 passes for 40 yards. The Panthers managed just 93 total yards in the first half while Seattle gained 174 yards.

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