Panthers vs. Seahawks: Score and Twitter Reaction for Sunday Night Football

The Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks squared off in the playoffs in each of the last two years, with the winner eventually representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. Don’t expect a rubber match in the upcoming postseason, because the Panthers looked like anything but a Lombardi Trophy contender Sunday at CenturyLink Field.

Seattle handled Carolina with ease during a 40-7 win in a game filled with storylines that extended beyond the action on the field.

The Seahawks, who lead the NFC West, are now 8-3-1 and 6-0 at home, while the Panthers dropped to 4-8 and remained in last place in the NFC South.

However, it was a costly win for Seattle.

The Seahawks announced safety Earl Thomas suffered a lower-leg fracture in the first half, and Thomas tweeted an emotional message after leaving the game:

This game has been so good to me no regrets.. A lot is running through my mind including retirement thanks for all the prayers.

— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) December 5, 2016

Running back Thomas Rawls was also evaluated for a concussion, per Stephania Bell of ESPN, before ultimately returning to the game and putting the finishing touches on an impressive performance with 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Rawls wasn’t the only offensive star for the Seahawks. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 277 yards with a touchdown and an interception while adding 29 yards on the ground.

Tight end Jimmy Graham caught a touchdown pass, while Tyler Lockett posted 75 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards, 46 kick-return yards, 12 punt-return yards and a touchdown on the ground.

On the other side, Carolina shocked plenty of observers by starting Derek Anderson at quarterback instead of reigning MVP Cam Newton.

NBC’s Michele Tafoya reported the one-play benching was for a dress-code violation (h/t Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer).

Jeff Darlington of ESPN reacted to the benching:

Cam Newton’s “dress-code violation” is especially odd since Ron Rivera is among the most reasonable, player-empowering coaches in the NFL.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) December 5, 2016

Naturally, Anderson threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage, and Seattle parlayed it into a field goal.

“Maybe hindsight, …

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