The Panthers were game.
But the Seahawks were just better at their own game.
The Seahawks advanced to the NFC Championship Game thanks to a defense that brutalized the Panthers throughout the night in a 31-17 win.
Safety Kam Chancellor did it all, nearly swallowing a pair of first half field goal attempts, and then picking off a Cam Newton pass for a game-clinching 90-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
It was a solid effort for a Panthers team that slithered into the playoffs at 7-8-1, but their personnel deficiencies at receiver, safety and offensive line (the problems they entered last offseason with) proved fatal.
Cam Newton wasn’t sharp, but the Seahawks didn’t leave him much margin for error. The Panthers didn’t find tight end Greg Olsen until the third quarter, and their lack of weapons downfield forced Newton into a few ill-advised throws.
Against a secondary talented enough to make plays, that kept the Panthers from keeping it close late.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was 15-of-22 for 268 yards and three touchdowns, making plays from the pocket against a defense designed to keep him there. His 149.2 passer rating was indicative of the kind of clean game he played throughout.
They will be holding their breath, after center Max Unger hobbled off the field late, but there wasn’t much else for them to fret over after this one.
The Seahawks will host the winner of tomorrow’s Packers-Cowboys game for a chance to return to the Super Bowl.
