Seahawks Eye NFC’s Top Seed, But Panthers and Bryce Young Stand in the Way
The Seattle Seahawks are sitting in pole position for the NFC’s No. 1 seed - and the coveted first-round bye that comes with it. But to lock it in, they’ll need to take care of business over the final two weeks, starting with a tricky Week 17 matchup against a Carolina Panthers team that’s suddenly playing its best football of the season.
Carolina, fresh off a win over the Buccaneers, is in control of the NFC South for the first time in a decade. And with both teams fighting for playoff positioning, Sunday’s showdown is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle between two teams with everything to play for.
Let’s dive into the three numbers that matter most heading into this pivotal matchup.
12 - Bryce Young’s Game-Winning Drives Since 2023
This isn’t about the 12s in the stands at Lumen Field - this one’s about the 12 game-winning drives Bryce Young has engineered since the start of 2023. That’s the most in the league over that span, and it’s a big reason why Carolina is still in the playoff mix.
Young’s journey has been anything but smooth. After being benched early in his rookie season following an 0-2 start, the former No. 1 overall pick has clawed his way back into form. And while he’s still a work in progress - consistency remains a concern - he’s shown flashes of the elite talent that made him the top pick in the first place.
The signature moment of his 2025 campaign? A 448-yard, three-touchdown performance in an overtime win against the Falcons, breaking Cam Newton’s franchise record for most passing yards in a single game. That’s no small feat, and it’s the kind of outing that reminds you why the Panthers bet big on him.
And last week against Tampa Bay, Young added a few more highlight-reel plays to his growing resume - including a perfectly placed deep ball and a Houdini-like scramble that ended with a touchdown strike to Ja’Tavion Sanders. Plays like those are becoming more frequent, and they’re the reason Carolina fans are starting to believe again.
Of course, there are still growing pains. Just one week before torching Atlanta, Young managed just 124 yards against the Saints and threw a brutal underthrown interception. But even with the ups and downs, he’s proving to be a gamer - and that makes him a real threat to Seattle this weekend.
3 - Turnovers That Flipped the Script in Week 13
If you’re wondering how the Panthers pulled off a win over the Rams in Week 13, look no further than the turnover battle. Carolina forced three takeaways - including a pick-six from Mike Jackson - and didn’t give the ball away once. In a tight three-point game, that kind of ball security and opportunistic defense made all the difference.
It was just the third time all season the Panthers played a turnover-free game, and they made it count. The pick-six was the only turnover that directly led to points, but the other two helped swing momentum and kill drives. One interception led to a punt, and a late-game fumble recovery allowed Carolina to ice the win with a single first down.
They also took advantage of a rough outing from Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, who gave up two long touchdowns. That kind of matchup exploitation won’t be as easy against Seattle’s secondary, which has allowed the 10th-fewest receiving yards to wideouts this season - a stark contrast to the Rams, who rank near the bottom in that category.
Seattle’s defensive backfield has been far more consistent, and their pass rush - especially when rushing four - has generated steady pressure. That could be a problem for Young, who’s shown he can make magic happen under duress but still struggles when the pocket collapses quickly.
25 - Seattle’s Streak of Games Without Allowing a 100-Yard Rusher
Here’s where the Seahawks could really tilt this game in their favor: the run defense.
Seattle enters Week 17 boasting the third-best rushing defense in the NFL, holding opponents under 100 yards per game. And while they had a bit of a hiccup against the Rams recently - giving up over 120 yards on the ground for the first time since Week 10 - they’ve still gone 24 straight games without allowing a single 100-yard rusher.
If they can hold the Panthers in check on Sunday, that’ll mark 25 straight - a new franchise record.
That’s no small task against a Carolina team that’s been dominant on the ground at home this season. The Panthers are averaging 145 rushing yards per game in their own building, compared to 122 on the road. Their ground game has been a stabilizing force, especially as Young continues to develop.
But this is strength-on-strength. Seattle’s front seven has been one of the most disciplined and physical units in the league, and they’ve made a habit of shutting down elite runners. If they can bottle up Carolina’s rushing attack and force Young into obvious passing situations, the Seahawks’ chances of clinching that top seed go way up.
Bottom Line
The Seahawks are two wins away from claiming the NFC’s No. 1 seed, but Week 17 presents a legitimate challenge. Carolina is surging at just the right time, with a young quarterback finding his groove, a defense that’s making timely plays, and a run game that travels well - especially at home.
Seattle, though, has the defensive muscle to slow them down and the experience to handle the moment. If they can contain Bryce Young, win the turnover battle, and extend their historic run-stuffing streak, they’ll be one step closer to home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The stakes are high. The path is clear. Now it’s up to the Seahawks to seize the moment.