Panthers vs. Seahawks 2016 final score: Carolina was outmatched start to finish against Seattle

The Carolina Panthers seemed to be doomed from the start of the Sunday Night Football matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, and that held through the end of the game. It was a must-win for the Panthers to keep any chance at the postseason alive, and they couldn’t pull it off, losing 40-7.

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera benched Cam Newton for the opening series due to violating a minor team rule. Newton was reportedly sidelined for a team dress code violation, and Derek Anderson started in his place.

On Anderson’s very first play of the game, fullback Mike Tolbert bobbled a catch directly into a Seahawk defender’s hands for an interception.

While the Panthers’ defense was able to hold the Seahawks to a field goal, the interception seemed to set the tone for the rest of the game.

The Seahawks lost safety Earl Thomas in the second quarter to a cracked tibia, and Thomas will be out indefinitely. That’s not ideal for Seattle.

The Panthers took advantage of Thomas’s absence when Newton hit Ted Ginn, Jr. with a deep touchdown pass to get the Panthers on the board. It was the only time Carolina would score against Seattle.

Once Seattle had established a 33-point lead over the Panthers in the fourth quarter, quarterback Russell Wilson exited the game and was replaced by backup Trevone Boykin. Wilson finished the day having completed 26 of 36 passes for 277 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Boykin was two for three for 38 yards.

Running back Thomas Rawls had two rushing touchdowns for the Seahawks, and Tyler Lockett added one more on the ground. Jimmy Graham was on the receiving end of a Russell Wilson touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

The Seahawks improve to 8-3-1 and remain on top of the NFC West. The Panthers, on the other hand, fall to 4-8 and stay in last place in the NFC South.