While Seattle’s 30-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers was all about Russell Wilson and the passing game, running back Chris Carson didn’t want you to forget about him – even if his 3.44 yards per carry was his second lowest output of the season.
With 10:39 remaining in the third quarter, Carson took off on a run up the middle, breaking free and coming up to Panthers safety Eric Reid. Carson attempted to hurdle the six-foot-one Reid, coming very close to doing so before he was upended and flipped a full 360 degrees – landing, amazingly, back on his feet where he continued the play.
“That was out of this world,” coach Pete Carroll offered after the game. “All of us said we’ve never seen that happen before. Maybe it has somewhere, but I’ve never seen a guy flip, land on his feet and make some more yards. That was extraordinary.”
Carson finished the game with 16 carries for 55 yards and his fourth rushing touchdown of the season. Carolina executed their game plan to stop Seattle’s run game, but Wilson was able to find open receivers throughout the game, helping Seattle earn a crucial win over the NFC rival Panthers.
As for Carson, his days of hurdling defenders may be over. His mother texted him during the game with a rather direct message:
“Stay on the ground,” Carson said his Mom told him. “You give me a heart attack.”
The Seattle Seahawks are hurdling (with or without Carson) toward the finish line this season, with four of their final five games at CenturyLink Field – including Sunday’s tilt against Richard Sherman and the San Francisco 49ers, which will kick off at 1:25 p.m. PT.
