httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfi01NfxXQU
Despite the fact that the Seattle Seahawks had developed a reputation for blowing fourth-quarter leads, the Panthers’ chances of beating the reigning NFC champs on their home field seemed slim.
The Panthers were able to take advantage of this in the fourth quarter, as Cam Newton was 6-of-6 on the final drive, completing passes to six different receivers, including the game-winner to Olsen, who was left uncovered on the final play.
The 26-yard touchdown reception by Olsen left All-Pro safety Earl Thomas and All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman staring at each other in disbelief, as the most obvious talent on Carolina’s offense was left wide open in the end zone to give the Panthers a 27-23 victory.
The win kept Carolina undefeated and gave them sole possession of first place in their division – but it also validated their claim of being an elite team in the NFC. That wasn’t something people were saying about the Panthers before this week, despite heading to Seattle with an unblemished 4-0 mark.
That’s probably because Carolina’s wins had come over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Houston Texans, the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers The doubts about the Panthers’ legitimacy aren’t new; few people considered them a real contender in the playoffs last season, even after they won each of their last four games.
So the Panthers came into Sunday actually having won nine of their previous 10 dating back to last season, with the only loss coming against Seattle in the NFC Divisional game.
Up 23-14 with 8:21 left as they punted it back to Carolina, the Seahawks simply needed to continue what they’d been doing for most of the day – keep Carolina off the board.
The Panthers responded with an 80-yard scoring drive that took a little over four minutes, and they never even faced a third down while doing it.
Sunday’s comeback win showed that perhaps this year will be different, that the Panthers truly belong.