Panthers Hold Off Seattle 31-24
By Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers built a 31-point halftime lead before barely holding off Seattle‘s relentless comeback, beating the Seahawks 31-24 on Sunday to advance to the NFC Championship Game.Carolina (16-1) will host Arizona (14-3) next week for a trip to the Super Bowl. The teams are meeting for the first time since the Panthers beat the Cardinals 27-16 in a 2014 wild-card game. Carolina opened as a 3-point favorite at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.
Jonathan Stewart, returning from a foot injury, scored two touchdowns after jump-starting the Panthers with a 59-yard sprint on their first play. Cam Newtonthrew for a touchdown, and fellow All-Pro Luke Kuechly ran in an early interception for a score as Carolina built a 31-0 advantage.
Seattle (11-7), showing its pedigree as two-time NFC champs, climbed within seven points as Russell Wilson threw for three touchdowns, two to Jermaine Kearse. An onside kick with 1:11 remaining was covered by All-Pro linebackerThomas Davis — and Charlotte could begin breathing again.
The Panthers have reached the NFC Championship Game for the fourth time and the first since 2005. They are 1-2 in their previous appearances.
