Following a loss to Oakland the Carolina Panthers hoped to get back on track during the second leg of a west coast trip. Entering Seattle with a small chance remaining to make the playoffs, Carolina took the field knowing both Atlanta and New Orleans had lost. A win would keep the Panthers only two games back of the division lead.
However, quarterback Cam Newton was benched due to a dress code violation. With backup Derek Anderson starting the first play of the game set the tone. Anderson promptly threw an interception off the hands of fullback Mike Tolbert on the first play from scrimmage.