The Seattle Seahawks (11-3) defeated the Carolina Panthers (5-9) on the road by a score of 30-24, clinching the best road record in franchise history at 7-1 and a playoff berth virtue of the Rams falling to the Cowboys on Sunday. The Seahawks control their own destiny as they return home for the final two games of the regular season. Here are a few takeaways from the Week 15 win.
Russell Wilson returns to form
After throwing four touchdowns to four interceptions over as many games, Wilson returned to his form over the first nine weeks, throwing for 286 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also had a perfect passer rating through the first half. Wilson was poised, decisive and kept mistakes to a minimum. The Seahawks will need this kind of production from Wilson consistently if they wish to make a deep postseason run. A solid day for Seattle’s treasured franchise quarterback.
Veteran linebackers rack up interceptions
K.J. Wright recorded two interceptions, while Bobby Wagner had another. Whenever Seattle’s two veteran LBs had an opportunity to make a play, they made the most of it. The Seahawks gave the ball right back to Carolina after Wright’s first pick but turned his second one into points with a field goal. Wagner’s interception was athletic, worthy of the highlight reel, and prevented the Panthers from scoring points before halftime. Wagner suffered an ankle injury late and did not return, but walked off the field under his own power. A great day for the vets.
Chris Carson steps up in Rashaad Penny’s absence
After Rashaad Penny’s unexpected production over the past few weeks and his devastating ACL tear, Chris Carson was expected to carry the load as the workhorse back. He did that with superb ability this week against the Panthers’ porous run defense, rushing for 133 yards and two touchdowns, the second of which came on a fourth and 1 in a crucial moment in the game. He was perhaps the player of the game for the Seahawks, picking up first downs when they needed him to and never losing grip of the football. This performance was exactly what Carson and the team needed.
Tyler Lockett is healthy again
It is safe to say that Lockett is healthier than he was in the past three weeks. It showed on the field, as he recorded eight receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown, breaking his career-high of 965 receiving yards last year. He said in his postgame interview that he still feels a little sick from the flu, but he certainly looks better. He is knocking on the door of 1,000 receiving yards for the season, needing just six yards to reach the mark. If he accomplishes this, he will be the first Seattle receiver to do so since Doug Baldwin in 2016. Lockett looks to be returning to peak form on his road to 100% recovery, which is a very good thing for Seattle.
The Seahawks cannot blow many teams out
Seattle has only blown out an opponent once this year, the Cardinals on the road in Week 4. Once again, the Seahawks built up a sizable lead and found a way to nearly squander it. This team always keeps games competitive whether they are winning or losing. Pete Carroll loves to burn out the clock, but this tactic often leads to three-and-outs and gives the opposing team opportunities to play catch-up, which may eventually bite Seattle if not careful. It says something about the Seahawks’ resilience as they keep finding ways to win . . . but they have made many games closer than they should be on paper.
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