Panthers vs. Seahawks: Full highlights and final score

The Carolina Panthers were able to hold off the Seattle Seahawks.

The Carolina Panthers were ready to take on the defending NFC Champions, Seattle Seahawks, on Sunday afternoon. On the first play from scrimmage, Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart busted off a 59-yard run to put the Panthers in the red zone. Three plays later, Stewart finished what he started, finding the end zone from four yards out.

The Panthers defense came out ready to show why they were the best defense in the league. Two plays after Stewarts touchdown run, Luke Kuechly picked Russell Wilson off, and returned it for a touchdown, giving Carolina a quick 14-0 lead over Seattle. Seattle tried to make a late, second half, but it was not nearly enough to knock off the top ranked Panthers.

Highlights

Three Stars

1. Jonathan Stewart

Stewart exploded onto the scene on Sunday by breaking off a 59-yard to get things started for the Panthers. Stewart would continue to be a workhorse all game long to give quarterback Cam Newton some stability in the running game. Stewart finished with 19 carries for 106 yards, finding the end zone twice.

2. Jermaine Kearse

Russell Wilson has been electrifying the past eight weeks of NFL play, and he continued that in the second half of this game. Kearse caught two touchdowns in the second half, and he finished with 110 yards on 11 receptions.

3. Panthers defense

The Panthers defense was the most critical cog in the Panthers success on Sunday. The Panthers forced two interceptions from Russell Wilson in the first half, while sacking him five times throughout the game. The Panthers defense will be the key to their road to the Super Bowl.

Odds

Carolina was favored by 2.5 points, and they were able to easily cover the spread, winning by seven.

Next Week

The Panthers will stay home to take on the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game.

Carolina advances to take on the seconded seeded Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game.