Seahawks’ Man Coverage Exposes Panthers’ Offense Ahead of NFC South Decider
Seattle’s approach underscored Carolina’s downfield limitations as Week 18 at Tampa Bay now defines the Panthers’ playoff path.
Overview
- Carolina fell 27-10 to Seattle with Bryce Young held to 54 passing yards on 14-of-24 with one interception, as Next Gen Stats ranked him last in multiple downfield metrics for Week 17.
- Panthers coach Dave Canales said the Seahawks played more man coverage than shown on film, and Carolina’s longest completion was 8 yards as receivers struggled to separate.
- Saturday’s game at Tampa Bay can snap Carolina’s seven-year playoff drought with a win, and tiebreaker scenarios still keep the division race in play with other results.
- Starting tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders sustained a broken ankle, shifting snaps to Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans at a position that has seen limited targets this season.
- Carolina’s run game cooled and a Chuba Hubbard fumble set up a short-field touchdown, while the defense forced two turnovers and corner Mike Jackson posted 11 tackles and an end-zone interception.