Panthers build 31-0 lead, hold on to beat Seahawks 31-24

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates with Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) after Stewart scored a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates with Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) after Stewart scored a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

By Associated Press January 17, 2016 2 min read

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – If the Carolina Panthers win their first NFL championship, they can credit the lesson they learned from the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Playoff games are never truly over until that final gun.

Emphatically backing up their superb regular season with one of the most dominating halves in football history, the Panthers then hung on in the face of a furious Seahawks rally before surviving 31-24.

The Panthers have won 12 straight home games, and next Sunday, Carolina (16-1) hosts Arizona (14-3) for a trip to the Super Bowl.

Jonathan Stewart, returning from a foot injury, scored two touchdowns after jumpstarting the Panthers with a 59-yard sprint on their first play. Cam Newton threw for a touchdown and fellow All-Pro Luke Kuechly ran in an early interception for a score as Carolina built a 31-0 lead.