CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Seattle Seahawks methodically dismantled the Carolina Panthers 27-10 on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, clinching a 13-win season behind a punishing ground attack and a defense that suffocated the Panthers’ offense for three quarters.

A crowd of 73,163 watched as the Seahawks, already playoff-bound, improved to 13-3, while the Panthers saw their record level at 8-8, their postseason hopes severely dented by the loss.

The most important part of the game was Seattle’s complete dominance in the third quarter, which turned a narrow 3-0 halftime lead into an insurmountable 17-3 advantage. After a sluggish first half for both teams, the Seahawks’ offense found its rhythm immediately after halftime. Seattle took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 60 yards in eight plays, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown plunge by Zach Charbonnet. The drive was keyed by a 29-yard run from Charbonnet and two crucial catches by tight end AJ Barner.

On Carolina’s ensuing possession, the game decisively swung in Seattle’s favor. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, under constant pressure, forced a pass on second down that was intercepted by Seahawks safety Julian Love, who returned it 26 yards to the Carolina 29-yard line. Six plays later, Sam Darnold connected with Barner on a 17-yard touchdown pass, effectively putting the game out of reach at 17-3. The sequence highlighted Carolina’s offensive futility and Seattle’s opportunistic defense.

Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold, named the top star for the Seahawks, managed the game efficiently, completing 18 of 27 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 2 yards and a score. His performance was a study in control, avoiding major mistakes while distributing the ball effectively.

The true engine of the Seattle offense was the running game, spearheaded by Charbonnet. He carried the ball 18 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns, consistently gashing the Carolina front. Kenneth Walker III added 51 yards on 15 carries. Rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was Darnold’s primary target, hauling in nine catches for 72 yards. Barner’s day included three receptions for 43 yards and the pivotal third-quarter touchdown.

Defensively, the Seahawks were relentless. They sacked Young three times, with DeMarcus Lawrence and Boye Mafe each recording one, and harassed him throughout the afternoon. Love’s interception was the unit’s key play, but they consistently stifled Carolina’s attempts to establish any offensive consistency. Carolina managed only 10 first downs and a paltry 54 net passing yards.

For the Panthers, the day was defined by offensive struggles. Young finished 14 of 24 for just 54 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was Carolina’s leading rusher with 27 yards on nine scrambles, including a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter after the outcome was already decided. Running back Rico Dowdle provided a brief spark with 59 rushing yards on 12 attempts.

Carolina’s defense, led by linebacker Christian Rozeboom’s 10 tackles and cornerback Mike Jackson’s 11 tackles and an interception, fought valiantly to keep the game close early. Defensive tackle Derrick Brown added six tackles and a key pass breakup. However, they were ultimately worn down by Seattle’s persistent rushing attack, which accumulated 172 yards on the ground and controlled the clock for over 34 minutes.

The first half was a defensive slog, with the only points coming from field goals. Seattle’s Jason Myers hit from 48 yards in the first quarter, and Carolina’s Ryan Fitzgerald answered with a 35-yarder in the second quarter. The Panthers had a chance to take the lead just before halftime, driving to the Seattle 17, but the drive stalled, forcing the field goal.

After Seattle’s third-quarter explosion, the teams traded scores in the final period. Young’s scrambling touchdown cut the deficit to 17-10, but Myers answered with a 30-yard field goal to extend the lead back to 10 points. Charbonnet then put the exclamation point on the victory with his second touchdown, a 1-yard run with 2:31 remaining, to set the final margin.

The result defied the pregame spread, which had installed Carolina as a 7-point favorite, and the total score of 37 points fell well under the over/under line of 42.5. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a Carolina victory, 30-24, though its ELO system gave Seattle a 79.6% probability to win.

The Seahawks, riding a four-game winning streak, will conclude their regular season on the road against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. The Panthers, whose playoff path is now narrow, will finish their season on the same day with a road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.