Seahawks lose to Panthers 27-23 as 4th quarter woes continue

SEATTLE -- Late woes continued for the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, as yet another lead slipped away, leaving fans and players alike wondering about a season teetering on the brink.

The Seahawks led by as much as 13 points in the game, and nine points into the 4th Quarter. But for the sixth time in eight games, the Hawks defense let another late lead disappear as the Hawks fell to the Panthers, 27-23.

Cam Newton threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen with 32 seconds left and the Carolina Panthers remained unbeaten. Newton led the Panthers (5-0) to touchdowns on their final two possessions after trailing 23-14, the second straight week the Seahawks collapsed in the fourth quarter.

Newton found Olsen wide open down the seam as All-Pros Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman looked at each other in confusion.

Newton was 12 of 15 for 169 yards in the fourth quarter and threw for 269 yards overall. He led the Panthers on a pair of 80-yard touchdown drives in the final period as the Panthers improved to 5-0 for the second time in franchise history.

The Seahawks, now 2-4, look for ways to salvage a faltering season. The Hawks head to San Francisco to take on the 49ers this Thursday night.

"We didn't finish," Seahawks Defensive End Bruce Irvin said after the game. "It's on our defense."

For much of the game, the Seahawks controlled on all corners of the field. Tight end Jimmy Graham got into the action early and often, catching the ball eight times for 140 yards.

Wilson looked strong throughout, going 18-for-30 with 239 yards passing and one touchdown and no interceptions.

The Hawks even won the turnover battle again, with Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor both securing interceptions of Newton, who struggled through the first three quarters of the game.

But when it mattered, Cam Newton came alive. Newton passed for 269 yards, with his last and best pass coming with 32 seconds left in the game, hitting Greg Olsen for 36 yards and a touchdown that put the team up 27-23.

From there it was largely over, as the Hawks sputtered through the remaining seconds.

Following the game, Ricardo Lockette reiterated that the Hawks need to learn how to finish.

"We have to be smarter," Lockette said. "It's time to go the drawing board and figure out what's wrong."

Respite isn't in sight, either, as the Hawks face a short week before San Francisco on Thursday. From there, the Seahawks head to Dallas to face off against the Cowboys.