Seahawks dismantle, then pummel the Carolina Panthers, recapped on Twitter

Seahawks fans have started to grow accustomed to the expectation of winning, and the matchup on Saturday against the Panthers was a good reason why. Though the score remained close through the game, it seemed like the Seahawks would force a mistake eventually, and that became a reality in the second half.

Cam Newton threw two interceptions, including a pick-six to Kam Chancellor that will quickly become the story of this game, but he narrowly escaped costly picks to Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, and threw one to Sherman early in the game. The Seahawks also forced a fumble that they recovered in the first quarter, and all told the team had three turnovers and didn’t turn the ball over.

Byron Maxwell missed most of the game, and Tharold Simon had the formidable task of covering Kelvin Benjamin, and at times his deficiencies were exposed, but it shouldn’t be understated how physically gifted Benjamin is. Simon has mostly had a good season, and Benjamin has been pretty incredible as a rookie.

Ultimately, the Seahawks pulled out a 31-17 win, and the following tweets help to describe that victory.

 

Hey , is in the house. pic.twitter.com/tthnBtP6tX

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks)

pic.twitter.com/fiHLRakhyG

— Tweeter of Things (@musingmatt)

Anyone in Seattle on twitter tonight or are all of you at the game? I'm expecting a little noise for Cam…

— Mike Salk, 710 ESPN (@TheMikeSalk)

You normally can't tell how loud it is through the glass in the press box, but it is really rocking here tonight.

— Jayson Jenks (@JaysonJenks)

 

Regarding the Patriots-Ravens game

No matter who you root for, that was an all-time great playoff game

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin)

The collective "ooooOOOOOO-awwwww" in the press box is always fun

— Kevin Shockey (@KevinShockey)

 

1^st Quarter

If he is a young king, then Earl Thomas is Simba tbqh.

— haute takes (@KennethArthuRS)

Once again the CLINK is ridiculously loud! Pete couldn't even hear Pam Oliver during the on field pregame interview.

— Brian Abker (@Abker)

Pete smell like weed? RT Pam Oliver's face in this still… pic.twitter.com/BJ62jGGcQl

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero)

Marshawn Lynch sprinted off the bench, jogged onto the field to shake the hand of India Arie, who sung the national anthem.

— Jayson Jenks (@JaysonJenks)

win the toss and will receive. on defense to start.

— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth)

Fozzy Whittaker takes knee in end zone for touchback, and this game will get going from Carolina's own 20.

— Nick Eaton (@njeaton)

 

Jonathan Stewart fumbles after receiving a screen pass on the first play from scrimmage.

Earl Thomas forces a fumble of Jonathan Stewart on the first play… karate chopped it out, but ball goes out of bounds.

— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree)

JUDO CHOP pic.twitter.com/Vqt8aFHz8y

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

 

Three and out for the Panthers after a tipped pass on third down.

Newton's third down pass too high and hard for Cotchery and Panthers will punt.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

 

First down Seahawks on a quick bubble screen to Doug Baldwin.

Well how do you do, Doug Baldwin? 11 yards on first down.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

 

Seahawks stuffed on a Marshawn Lynch run on third down.

Panthers’ bench is fired up after that third-down stop.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

Seahawks try running it with Lynch twice on second and two and get just one yard and will punt from Panthers 44.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

Lynch is stopped short on 3rd & 1. Ryan's punt pins the Panthers at their 11.

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks)

Always hate the punt on fourth and short from ~40 yard line.

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

 

Byron Maxwell.

Byron Maxwell still not on the field for the Panthers second possession. Had been dealing with an illness in practice this week.

— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree)

 

Seahawks pressure Cam Newton on third down. He throws it away. Appeared to be grounds for a grounding call, though. Also, a personal foul call on Jeremy Lane on the punt return.

Out of the tackle box?

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

Also, did that ball get to LOS?

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

Did that throw get past the line of scrimmage? I mean, it must have, but.

— Patrick Dubuque (@euqubud)

GROUNDING. GROUNDING. GROUNDING. RT : Almost got Cam https://t.co/vGH4krDxC3

— Spike Friedman (@SpikeFriedman)

I think it looked worse because the Panthers player slipped on something pic.twitter.com/Jvn5yxn125

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

Penalty in slow motion https://t.co/hnQ63b7TgB

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

 

Seahawks go three and out.

Seahawks run it on third and 13 and don't get it and will punt from own 32.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

Holding on Carolina on the punt — so one good punt return penalty begets another and Panthers to start deep.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

 

Richard Sherman picks off a deep throw from Cam Newton, functionally as effective as a punt. Seahawks ball.

Better punter than Cyler Miles, obviously.

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

I really would like to see Sherman become a redzone WR for the Seahawks

— Danny Kelly (@FieldGulls)

Why do people throw a pass to the receiver covered by Richard Sherman when Sherman has outside position and a sideline boundary?

— Doug Farrar (@SI_DougFarrar)

Believe it or not, that was Richard Sherman's 1st career postseason interception (via ) pic.twitter.com/86RcMF9a8t

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL)

 

Russell Wilson, with plenty of time, rolls out and finds Jermaine Kearse deep.

Against four-man rush Wilson moves in pocket and finds Kearse down field for 33 yards to the Panthers 31 on third and 12.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

 

Seahawks stopped on third down, in field goal range, on a pass to Ricardo Lockette. Lockette throws the ball in the Carolina defender’s face, getting a personal foul for unsportsmanlike conduct, and taking the Seahawks out of field goal range.

Cut Lockette

— Mo Mo Grenadier (@TheMattHolt)

Ricardo Lockette called for taunting and Seattle will get pushed out of field goal range… would have been a 46-yard field goal try.

— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree)

 

Regarding Darrell Bevell.

I don't really want to defend Bevell all game. There is a reason he is being mentioned as a head coach. NFL teams know more than you.

— Mo Mo Grenadier (@TheMattHolt)

 

Shovel pass to the sizeable Mike Tolbert for a first down.

Oh God Tolbert has the same body as me.

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

 

Michael Bennett forces Jonathan Stewart to fumble, Seahawks recover. Fumble credited to Cam Newton for some reason.

Michael Bennett forces a fumble of Jonathan Stewart. Tony McDaniel recovers. Seattle takes over.

— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree)

BLACK SANTA GIVING THOSE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

— Spike Friedman (@SpikeFriedman)

Fumble is being "credited" to Cam Newton, in case anybody cares

— Kevin Shockey (@KevinShockey)

 

Russell Wilson lofts a pass to Doug Baldwin in the end zone. Seahawks lead 7-0.

take the top off the defense when the top is 25 yards away?

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

FAIR CATCH THAT NEXT TIME!

— Mo Mo Grenadier (@TheMattHolt)

You know when you play Flyers Up and you want to get a certain friend to be the Flyer? That was Russ to Doug right there.

— Curtis Rogers (@CRogers710)

Russell hits Doug Baldwin for the touchdown https://t.co/2pZUsKJg1c

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

 

Jonathan Stewart with a first down run.

Tremendous open field tackle by Earl Thomas. Possibly saved a touchdown.

— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree)

 

First down pass in front of Richard Sherman to Philly Brown.

Philly just caught a pass, Boston got beat by Baldwin. Up and down day for northeast cities so far.

— Jayson Jenks (@JaysonJenks)

 

2^nd Quarter

Seattle a 93-55 edge in yards end first quarter. Just 10 on the ground.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

Wilson 7/11, 83 yards, TD. 2 drops at least too

— Dave Softy Mahler (@Softykjr)

 

Cam Newton running the ball early.

Another run between the tackles there for Cam Newton. Hugh told us to watch out for those. Cam does it more than any QB in NFL. 85x in 3 yrs

— Kevin Shockey (@KevinShockey)

 

After the Panthers had driven for multiple first downs, Richard Sherman undercut a route and nearly had another interception.

Sloppy route from Philly Brown there. Sherman very nearly with his second interception.

— Rob Rang (@RobRang)

 

Newton with a first down pass on third down.

Newton comes back with nice toss to Brown to pick up first down at the Seattle 23.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

 

Can Newton finds Kelvin Benjamin on a sidearm pass for a touchdown. Game tied at 7.

Benjamin vs Simon? Yeah, they'll take that every time.

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

Newton to Benjamin for a 7-yard touchdown, tie game. Impressive answer by the Panthers offense following Seattle's score.

— John Boyle (@johnpboyle)

 

Jermaine Kearse catches a deep pass from Russell Wilson for a 63 yard touchdown. Seahawks lead 14-7.

Jermaine Kearse that is beautiful

— Taylor Soper (@Taylor_Soper)

Obviously Jermaine Kearse's talent is a finite resource, and he's portioning it out as needed

— Patrick Dubuque (@euqubud)

Another great touch pass from Wilson, and a great job by Kearse to hold off the CB with his arm and make the catch.

— Jayson Jenks (@JaysonJenks)

Jermaine Kearse with a fantastic grab for the touchdown https://t.co/RqKBfKqNZg

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

 

Kam Chancellor.

The only game I would play against Kam Chancellor is Jenga. He's likely gonna knock your block off.

— haute takes (@KennethArthuRS)

Kam hits hard https://t.co/GuswqglAqE

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

 

Facemask on Tony McDaniel moves the Panthers into Seahawks territory.

Couple of completions and personal foul on McDaniel for facemask has Carolina to the Seattle 36.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

 

Panthers running the ball well.

Seattle has given up rushing yards in the first half before. The halftime adjustments stopped the Saints in last year's divisional playoff.

— Zach Whitman (@zjwhitman)

 

Cam Newton fumbles on a scramble, and the ball goes out of bounds, bringing up fourth down. Carolina goes for it. Panthers convert.

Newton fumbles forward. Ball returned to 27. Fourth-and-2.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

And they got it. First down, Panthers.

— Liz Mathews 710 ESPN (@Liz_Mathews)

 

Earl Thomas picks off Cam Newton on the two yard line. Except, Thomas appeared to lose control of it and it hit the ground. Now just a very dramatic incomplete pass.

Thomas pick at 2-yard line as Newton forced it to Benjamin. And now lots of flags for pushing, shoving after play.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

Third-and-8 for Carolina at the 24-yard line.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

 

Kam Chancellor comes up to stop a would-be first down a Mike Tolbert draw. Huge hit.

Chancellor fired up after that tackle on Tolbert. Panthers will try field goal from the 17.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

"Your forward momentum has returned to zero."

— Zach Whitman (@zjwhitman)

 

Kam Chancellor on special teams hurdles the line of scrimmage on a down called back by a false start, then again on a down and almost blocks a field goal. Misses it, but runs into the kicker.

pic.twitter.com/lQ5twZCpVu

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

Maybe put a guy in front of Chancellor? Perhaps your special teams coordinator. Just hard count his ass.

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson)

 

Panthers finally kick a field goal. Seahawks lead 14-10.

They really wanted the Panthers to get those 3 points there. Yeesh.

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

 

Halftime

Reminder: Kam Chancellor was a PRO-STYLE quarterback in high school. pic.twitter.com/AoqvhsV5JH

— Brian Leigh (@BLeigh35)

More Kam https://t.co/P1vubPxzFZ

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

Clearly hits Kam in slow motion

— Serious NFL Tweets. (@BestGuyAround)

Although…..it's hard to really feel any Ill-will against a team that has a guy named Fozzy.

— Jason Finn (@Jasonfinn)

 

3^rd Quarter

Touchback.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

 

Paul Richardson with a nice catch in traffic.

WOW THAT WAS A TINY WINDOW

— Tweeter of Things (@musingmatt)

 

Paul Richardson attempts to make a catch downfield, pass incomplete, in the end Richardson is on the ground holding his knee.

Richardson grabbed his left leg near the knee after he fell.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

Richardson now limping off under his own power.

— John Boyle (@johnpboyle)

 

Wilson sacked on third down. Seahawks punt.

At least six points taken off the board via this sack and Ricardo Lockette being a moron.

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

 

First down pass to Kelvin Benjamin.

Panthers again taking advantage of Simon for a 6-yard pass to get first down.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

 

Another first down for the Panthers.

Newton with plenty of time. Hits Ed Dixon for 14.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

 

Newton driving without a pass rush, then a sack.

"I like how Cam Newton is playing right now…" … when there is no pass rush. Oh, then sack.

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

I saw 3 or 4 tweets about no pass rush and right after that, Cliff Avril gets the clean sack of Newton for a loss of 8

— Kevin Shockey (@KevinShockey)

 

Seahawks force fourth down. Carolina to punt.

And another horribly off-target pass by Newton. Fourth-and-18 and the will get the ball back.

— Nick Eaton (@njeaton)

Shame Cam Newtown doesn't have baseball to fall back on like some people I know…

— Ace of MLB Stats (@AceballStats)

 

Byron Maxwell.

Maxwell in on special teams… so… what?

— Spike Friedman (@SpikeFriedman)

Byron Maxwell must have longer breath now.

— Liz Mathews 710 ESPN (@Liz_Mathews)

 

Russell Wilson with a first down run.

Wilson runs the ball for the first time all game, picks up 14.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

 

First down pass to Luke Willson.

Luuuuuuuuke

— Q Nolen (@JustQ17)

 

Marshawn Lynch runs for 25 yards.

Good Lord, Beast Mode.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

Been waiting for that all game.

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

This place is shaking after that 25-yard Lynch run.

— Liz Mathews 710 ESPN (@Liz_Mathews)

 

Holding call on Carolina.

Roman Harper holds Willson on second down and Seattle has first down at the 25.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

 

Wilson runs for another first down.

Wilson keeps on zone read to the 14. Seattle has moved from its own 12.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

 

After a Marshawn Lynch run.

I'd tackle the national debt before I would try tackling Marshawn Lynch.

— haute takes (@KennethArthuRS)

 

Seahawks stopped, face fourth down.

Not sure why Seattle ended up running a play before the 4th. Unless the play clock changed, they could have let the quarter clock run out

— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger)

 

4^th Quarter

Play, commercial. Play, commercial for quarter. FG, commercial. Kickoff, commercial?

— Mike Salk, 710 ESPN (@TheMikeSalk)

Thomas Davis is a terrific player. Sacks Russell Wilson on third-and-3. Hauschka 37-yard field goal attempt upcoming.

— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree)

 

Steven Hauschka good from 37 yards. Seahawks lead 17-10.

Hauschka 37-yard field goal is good and Seattle leads it 17-10 with 14:55 to play.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

 

Kam Chancellor having a hell of a game.

Kam Chancellor just pulled Jonathan Stewart down by the bottom of his jersey while Chancellor was on his back.

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

 

After a flag is picked up on second down, an incomplete pass on third down brings up fourth down for the Panthers.

Flag picked up. Looked like they were going to ding Schofield for unnecessary roughness. Panthers third and 11 at 19.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

Really lucky Tolbert dropped that… that's why he's a fullback?

— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox)

Tolbert wouldn't drop a cheeseburger though….

— Mo Mo Grenadier (@TheMattHolt)

 

Luke Willson with a big catch.

Luke Willson with a Bavaro-esque catch and run.

— Dave Sims (@TheDaveSimsShow)

I think that’s one too many L’s.RT : Willllllllllsoooooooon!

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

7-yard pass by Russell Wilson, 22-yard run for Luke Willson.

— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth)

 

Regarding all the commercials.

Another pitching change?

— Mike Salk, 710 ESPN (@TheMikeSalk)

 

Luke Willson with a touchdown reception from 25 yards out. Seahawks lead 24-10.

Wilson to Willson touchdown and the Seahawks break it open to take a 23-10 lead on a 25-yard pass with 10:26 left.

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)

Say goodnight Panthers!

— Dave Sims (@TheDaveSimsShow)

Russell Wilson *on third down*: 8/8 200~ yards 3 TDs, 7 first downs.

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson)

OMG PETE IS THE BEST https://t.co/gPFKAY1TSD

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

Two games from now? Super Bowl. RT : Luke Willson is good every other game…

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

 

Bruce Irvin sacks Cam Newton.

Irvin with Seattle's second sack of the night.

— Liz Mathews 710 ESPN (@Liz_Mathews)

 

A couple first downs for the Panthers.

Boy, Newton has a cannon.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

 

Greg Olson with a catch in the red zone.

Great throw from Newton to Greg Olsen for 31 yards to the Seattle 19-yard line.

— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree)

 

Kam Chancellor with a pick six. Seahawks lead 31-10.

Kam Chancellor for Czar of the entire world.

— Casey McLain (@TheCaseyMcLain)

Wham Bam Thank You Kam.

— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5)

KAM IS GONE https://t.co/QzeVZ9LeoF

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

 

After a big pass to Kelvin Benjamin.

now going for picks like basketball players cherry picking.

— Mike Sando, ESPN.com (@SandoESPN)

 

Touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin from 15 yards out. Seahawks lead 31-17.

Credit where credit is due: Kelvin Benjamin can BALL.

— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS)

 

Robert Turbin with a big run, and Max Unger limps off the field.

damn it all. Unger. No.

— Zach Whitman (@zjwhitman)

Those two runs back to back perfectly encapsulates the Robert Turbin experience. Now we just need a 20-yard screen pass.

— Tweeter of Things (@musingmatt)

 

Jermaine Kearse with a 33 yard catch.

This is Kearse's first 100-yard game of his NFL career.

— Jayson Jenks (@JaysonJenks)

Wilson to Kearse to the Panthers 14-yard line to reach the 2:00 warning. 33 yards on the play. Carolina out of timeouts.

— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree)

Russell Wilson is 15 of 22 for 268 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs and a passer rating of 149.2

— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth)

 

Victory formation.

Can you predict what will say after the big win? Let us know, using 5 words or less, of course.

— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports)

Those knees are destroying our redzone stats.

— Mo Mo Grenadier (@TheMattHolt)

 

Seahawks win 31-17.

NFC championship game at CenturyLink Field next week. See you then, Tweeps. I’m down to the locker room.

— Stephen Cohen (@scohenPI)

I hope Maxwell and P-Rich are ok.

— DAVIS HSU (@DavisHsuSeattle)

Well, I predicted Seahawks 27 & Panthers 16 on Fox Sports. I was a little off & I deeply apologize.

— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson)