The Panthers opened Sunday's game with an 11-yard run on their first play from scrimmage. They would not have a longer gain the rest of the day thanks to a suffocating effort from Seattle's defense.
And while the Seahawks were their usual stingy selves when it came to the run, holding the Panthers to a 3.8 yards-per-carry average, what really stood out in Sunday's 27-10 win was how dominant Seattle's pass defense was against the Panthers.
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young completed 14 of 24 pass attempts for just 54 yards, and his longest completing of the day gained just eight yards. With sacks factored in the Panthers had just 40 net passing yards.
Young and the Panthers didn't really test Seattle's secondary deep on Sunday, and the Seahawks' tackling kept short passes from turning into big gains. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Bryce Young averaged just 1.1 air yards per attempt, the second lowest mark of his career, and when he did try to throw downfield, he was 0 for 3 with an interception on attempts of 10 or more air yards.
"This is a good offense," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said after the game. "They've been moving the ball and they been creating explosives and been doing a great job recently. It's because they've got great players, great scheme, the whole nine. Those are some open-field tackles as well that those guys were making, and those were critical yards. I mean, you miss that tackle, now you're in a third and two, and this is a great fourth down team, the shape of that drive really takes a turn when you're able to staple guys. I felt like it was all three levels, so I'm glad you brought that up."
Sunday's game marked the fifth time in franchise history the Seahawks have held an opponent to 40 or fewer net passing yards, and first since a 1998 win over the Eagles.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 road victory over the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Seahawks celebrated the 27-10 win vs. the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
