The Carolina Panthers were able to hold off a second half surge from the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday and won their divisional playoff matchup 31-24. The Panthers advance to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 2005, but they will be without defensive end Jared Allen, as he suffered a foot injury that will require surgery and end his season, according to Panthers reporter Jonathan Jones.
The Panthers jumped out to a 31-point lead in the first half but were unable to stop Seattle or score points in the second half. The Panthers also lost star tight end Greg Olsen for part of the game after a shoulder injury but would return shortly later. The Panthers tight end led the team with six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown, and he said after the game that he was banged up but that he would be alright, according to NFL reporter Tiffany Blackmon.
The Panthers defense will look to step it up in the absence of Allen, as the veteran defensive end had been a strong addition to the team after being traded from the Bears early in the season. The Panthers finished the regular season with the best record in the NFL, but they clearly will have some work to do this week after being out scored 24-0 in the second half.
Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was a huge difference maker for the Panthers on Sunday, as he recorded 11 combined tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown. The Panthers were able to beat the Cardinals in the wild card round of the playoffs last season, but both Carolina and Arizona are playing on a different level this year.
The Cardinals are coming off a huge overtime win over the Packers on Saturday but will have to travel to Bank of America Stadium next Sunday, as both teams are looking to make it back to the Super Bowl. Both the Cardinals and Panthers have two of the best quarterbacks in the game in Carson Palmer and Cam Newton, and Arizona finished the regular season with the most yards, while Carolina finished with the most points, making Sunday's Championship game an explosive offensive matchup.
