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SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks cash in on defensive takeaways to beat Panthers 27-10

The Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers were even in the turnover column on Sunday. But it's the Seahawks who did more with their takeaways, and that proved to be the difference in their 27-10 victory.

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The Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers were even in the turnover column on Sunday. But it’s the Seahawks who did more with their takeaways, and that proved to be the difference in their 27-10 victory.

Seahawks beat Panthers | Instant Reaction | Box score

In a matter of about 10 minutes on the clock in the third quarter, the Seahawks added 14 points off of Carolina turnovers to take control of the game.

First, veteran outside linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence continued his incredible first season with the Seahawks, forcing a fumble by Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard and recovering it, giving Seattle the ball at Carolina’s 21-yard line around the 12-minute mark in the third.

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The play was huge as it kept the Panthers from building momentum, as it was Carolina’s first play after former Seahawks cornerback Mike Jackson intercepted Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold.

The Seahawks would be in the end zone for the first time on the day six plays later, with running back Zach Charbonnet ramming his way in on third-and-goal from the 2. That put Seattle up 10-3.

Seattle’s defense took the ball away from Carolina again on the ensuing possession, with safety Julian Love intercepting Panthers QB Bryce Young on third down and returning the ball 26 yards to the Carolina 29.

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The Seahawks’ offense again made good on the gift of advantageous field position, with Darnold connecting with tight end A.J. Barner on a 17-yard touchdown pass four plays into their next drive to push the lead to 17-3 with 5:32 left in the third.

The Panthers, meanwhile, turned Seattle’s own two turnovers into just three points. That came with Carolina kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hitting a 35-yard field goal late in the second quarter after the Panthers had recovered a fumble caused by Darnold being hit while attempting a throw.

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Seattle added 10 points in the fourth quarter on Jason Myers’ second field goal and Charbonnet’s second short touchdown run on the day to wrap up the win.

The victory brings the Seahawks to 13-3 on the season and that much closer to clinching the NFC West and the No. 1 seed to the postseason from the NFC. Seattle is up by 1 1/2 games on each of the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, who are all 11-4 entering their Week 17 games. The Bears are visiting the 49ers on Sunday Night Football at 5:15 p.m., while the Rams will play the 6-9 Falcons in Atlanta on Monday Night Football.

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In the regular season finales next week, the Seahawks will visit the 49ers, the Rams will host the Arizona Cardinals (3-13), and the Bears will host the Detroit Lions (8-8).

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Brent Stecker Editor, Seattle Sports

Brent Stecker is Lead Editor of SeattleSports.com, a role he has held since 2017. A native of Ephrata, Wash., he joined the Seattle Sports and MyNorthwest.com team in 2013 after six years as a sports reporter for The Wenatchee World.

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