NFL Playoffs - Seattle Seahawks vs Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton and defense dominate 24-31

The Carolina Panthers made things more difficult than they needed to be, but they took care of business and will advance to the NFC Championship with a 31-24 win over Seattle.

The game started out well for the Panthers, as Jonathan Stewart started the game out with a big run and then ran it in for a four yard touchdown three plays later. On the next drive, Luke Keuchly would pick Russell Wilson off and take it to the house. The Seahawks would be forced to punt on their next drive and the Panthers would go on an 86 yard drive that ended in another Jonathan Stewart touchdown.

The Seahawks would give the ball back to the Panthers again with another interception, but this time the Panthers were held to another field goal. Cam Newton would lead the Panthers on a touchdown drive after another Seattle punt. The Seahawks would go on two more drives before the end of the half, one ending with a turnover on downs and another ending in a missed field goal. At one point in the first half Russell Wilson had thrown the ball four times, with two completed to each team.

The Seahawks would take the kickoff to open the second half and they went on a four play, 35 yard drive that ended with another touchdown. The Panthers would not be able to get on the board, but the Seahawks would respond with two more touchdowns and a field goal. The Seahawks would try an onside kick, but Thomas Davis would recover it for the Seahawks.

This is the second win for the Ron Rivera-Cam Newton era Panthers, who will play in their first NFC Championship and the first NFC Championship for the Panthers since 2005.