NFL playoffs: Champions Seattle Seahawks stay on course after win over Carolina Panthers
Monday 12 January 2015 11:22, UK
Kam Chancellor powered to a late touchdown as the Seattle Seahawks continued the defence of their Super Bowl title with a 31-17 win over the Carolina Panthers to seal a place in the NFC Championship game.
The Seahawks safety put the seal on an impressive victory when he stepped in front on a Cam Newton pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown, sparking wild celebrations at CenturyLink Field.
Quarterback Newton was stifled by a resolute defensive display from the hosts, who are trying to become the NFL's first repeat champions in 10 years.
Seattle also showed their offensive bite, with Russell Wilson completing 15-of-22 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns, including a 63-yard scoring pass to Jermaine Kearse in the second quarter.
Kearse propelled the Seahawks into a 14-7 lead when he pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch and then dived for the pylon at the left corner of the end zone.
Carolina responded with a field goal on the final play of the half, but Seattle added 17 consecutive points during a dramatic nine-minute spell in the fourth quarter.
Following a Steven Hauschka field goal, the Seahawks added to their lead when Wilson, facing a third-and-10 at the Carolina 25-yard line, connected with tight end Luke Willson for a touchdown.
Chancellor’s determined run opened up an unassailable lead, but Seattle coach Pete Carroll felt his players were forced to work hard for the win.
"The guys played really hard tonight and played a really good tough, physical game," said Carroll.
"Our guys hung in there tough and kept the score down and allowed for some guys to make things happen."
It was a frustrating night for Newton as he had briefly drawn Carolina level in the second quarter with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin.
"The difference was just missed opportunities," said Newton, who completed 23-of-36 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns.
"When you are playing a great defence, you just got to take what they give you and a lot of times I was kind of overlooking the play that needed to be made and instead tried to make the bigger play."
The Seahawks will next face either the Green Bay Packers or the Dallas Cowboys, who meet on Sunday, but the game will again be at Century Link Field since they are the No 1 seeds in the conference.
