Seahawks vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats: Recapping the Late 2025 Showdown

The statistical record of the most recent encounter between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025, provides a definitive look at how these two NFC franchises have evolved. Seattle's 27-10 victory was not just a win on the scoreboard but a dominant performance in the box score, particularly in the ground game and defensive efficiency. Analyzing these player stats offers insight into the current trajectory of both rosters as they moved through the late stages of the season.

Quarterback Performance: Efficiency vs. Struggle

The passing statistics from this match highlight a stark contrast in execution. Sam Darnold, leading the Seattle offense, provided the necessary stability, while Bryce Young faced significant pressure throughout the afternoon.

Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks)

Sam Darnold’s stat line reflects a game manager role that prioritized ball security and capitalizing on short-field opportunities.

• Completions/Attempts: 18/27
• Passing Yards: 147
• Touchdowns: 1 (17-yard pass to AJ Barner)
• Interceptions: 1
• Fumbles Lost: 1
• Completion Percentage: 66.7%

Darnold's performance was characterized by a slow start, as the Seattle offense struggled through its first six drives, featuring a turnover on downs and two giveaways. However, his ability to settle in during the third quarter—converting turnovers into scores—was pivotal. His average depth of target remained relatively low, focusing on high-percentage throws to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers)

On the opposite side, Bryce Young’s statistics were hindered by a smothering Seattle defense that limited the Panthers to just 139 total yards.

• Completions/Attempts: 14/24
• Passing Yards: 54
• Touchdowns: 0 passing (1 rushing)
• Interceptions: 1 (Intercepted by Julian Love)
• Average Yards Per Attempt: 2.25

Young's passing numbers were among the lowest of his season. Before a late 69-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter, Young had only managed 16 passing yards on 16 attempts. His impact was felt more in the scramble game, where he converted a crucial fourth-and-1 and eventually found the end zone on a 10-yard run.

Rushing Breakdown: The Charbonnet Factor

The most significant statistical disparity in this match occurred in the rushing department. Seattle utilized a heavy ground attack to control the clock and wear down the Carolina defensive front.

Zach Charbonnet (Seattle Seahawks)

Zach Charbonnet was the statistical star of the game, carrying the load for the Seattle backfield with high efficiency.

• Carries: 18
• Rushing Yards: 110
• Touchdowns: 2 (2-yard and 1-yard runs)
• Average Yards Per Carry: 6.1
• Longest Run: 22 yards

Charbonnet’s 110-yard performance was a masterclass in north-south running. The stats show he was particularly effective in the third quarter, where he converted short fields into back-to-back touchdowns within a three-minute span. His ability to maintain a 6.1-yard average allowed Seattle to dominate time of possession.

Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks)

While Charbonnet took the lead role in the second half, Kenneth Walker III provided steady production in the early stages.

• Carries: 9
• Rushing Yards: 44
• Average Yards Per Carry: 4.9

Carolina Panthers Rushing Stats

The Panthers' run game was largely neutralized, with the exception of a few explosive bursts from Rico Dowdle.

• Rico Dowdle: 12 carries, 59 yards (4.9 avg)
• Chuba Hubbard: 4 carries, 12 yards, 1 lost fumble
• Bryce Young: 8 rushing yards on a key scramble, plus a 10-yard touchdown run.

Carolina’s inability to establish Hubbard in the run game—evidenced by his lost fumble that led to a Seattle touchdown—forced the offense into predictable passing situations, which is reflected in their poor third-down conversion rate (1-for-11).

Receiving Leaders: Target Distribution

The receiving stats indicate a concentrated passing attack for Seattle and a fragmented one for Carolina.

Seattle Seahawks Receiving

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 9 receptions, 72 yards (8.0 avg)
• AJ Barner: 2 receptions, 24 yards, 1 TD
• Cody White: 1 reception, 9 yards (left with groin injury)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba acted as the primary engine for the passing game, hauling in 50% of Darnold's total completions. His role in the short-to-intermediate areas was essential for moving the chains when the run game faced stacked boxes.

Carolina Panthers Receiving

• Tetairoa McMillan: 4 receptions, 28 yards
• Rico Dowdle: 3 receptions, 14 yards
• Ja’Tavion Sanders: 2 receptions, 8 yards (left with ankle injury)

Carolina's receiving corps struggled to find separation, as no individual player surpassed 30 receiving yards. This lack of production was a direct result of the limited time Young had in the pocket and the tight coverage schemes employed by the Seattle secondary.

Defensive Impact and Turnover Stats

The Seattle defense dominated the statistical narrative of the 2025 match, limiting Carolina to just 10 first downs and 52 total plays.

Seattle Seahawks Defense

• Demarcus Lawrence: 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. Lawrence was the most disruptive force on the field, consistently collapsing the pocket and generating a turnover that shifted the momentum in the third quarter.
• Julian Love: 1 interception (returned 26 yards). Love’s pick of Young set up a short 29-yard touchdown drive that essentially sealed the game.
• Mike Jackson: 1 interception (in the end zone). This defensive play prevented a potential Carolina score and illustrated Seattle's efficiency in the red zone.

Carolina Panthers Defense

• Nic Scourton: 1 sack, 1 forced fumble. The rookie provided one of the few highlights for Carolina, forcing a fumble on Darnold that led to the Panthers' only points of the first half.
• A'Shawn Robinson: 1 fumble recovery.
• Robert Rochell: 3 tackles (left with concussion).

Historical Data Comparison: 2025 vs. 2023

Comparing the player stats from the 2025 victory to the September 24, 2023, meeting (Seahawks 37-27 Panthers) reveals an interesting shift in offensive philosophy and personnel impact.

In 2023, the Seahawks relied on an explosive aerial attack featuring DK Metcalf and a high-volume performance from Geno Smith. By 2025, the team transitioned to a more defensive-oriented, ball-control strategy. While the total yardage decreased from 425 to 288, the efficiency in turnover margin (+1 in 2025) and defensive pressure (limiting Carolina to 139 yards compared to 378 in 2023) proved to be a more sustainable formula for victory.

Team Statistical Analysis: The Hidden Numbers

Beyond the individual player box scores, the team statistics from the 2025 match reveal why the game felt so lopsided despite a 3-3 score at halftime.

Third Down Efficiency

• Seattle: 5-for-15 (33.3%)
• Carolina: 1-for-11 (9.1%)

Carolina's 9.1% conversion rate is one of the lowest marks in the modern era of the rivalry. This inability to stay on the field resulted in their defense being exposed to 30:28 of possession time, much of it coming in short-field situations.

Penalty Impact

In the 2023 game, Carolina suffered from 13 penalties (8 false starts) due to crowd noise at Lumen Field. However, in the 2025 matchup (held in Charlotte), penalties were less of a factor for the visitors. Seattle played a relatively disciplined game, while Carolina's offensive struggles were more related to execution and turnovers rather than pre-snap infractions.

Red Zone Statistics

• Seattle: 3-for-4 in the red zone (75% conversion into TDs)
• Carolina: 1-for-2 in the red zone (50% conversion into TDs)

Seattle's ability to punch the ball into the end zone from the 2-yard and 1-yard lines via Zach Charbonnet showcased the physicality of their offensive line in short-yardage situations.

Specialized Performance Metrics

Looking closer at the player data, several advanced metrics stand out from the 2025 performance:

1. Yards After Contact (YAC): Zach Charbonnet accounted for 64 of his 110 yards after initial contact. This statistic underscores the difficulty Carolina's linebackers had in bringing him down on the first attempt.
2. Pass Rush Win Rate: The Seattle defensive line, led by Demarcus Lawrence, achieved a pass rush win rate of nearly 45%. Bryce Young was pressured on 14 of his 25 dropbacks, leading to hurried throws and the game-changing interception.
3. Catch Rate: Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught 9 of his 11 targets (81.8%). In a game where the passing volume was low, his reliability as a chain-mover was statistically more significant than raw yardage totals.

Summary of Key Player Stats

To synthesize the most impactful data from the recent Seahawks vs. Panthers matchup, the following figures defined the outcome:

• Zach Charbonnet (SEA): 110 Rushing Yards, 2 TDs
• Sam Darnold (SEA): 147 Passing Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Bryce Young (CAR): 54 Passing Yards, 1 INT, 1 Rushing TD
• Demarcus Lawrence (SEA): 1 Sack, 1 FF, 1 FR
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA): 72 Receiving Yards, 9 Receptions

These statistics reflect a game where Seattle’s defensive front and rushing attack overwhelmed a Carolina offense that is still searching for consistency in its passing game. The 27-10 result was a byproduct of superior situational football, with Seattle converting defensive takeaways into immediate points. As the 2026 season approaches, these player benchmarks will serve as the baseline for evaluating how both teams have addressed their respective strengths and weaknesses.