Seahawks 27, Panthers 10
SAM DARNOLD: All right, yeah, obviously, you know, it was I felt like a slow start but a good one. Good team win. You know, it's, again, like I said, not the way we wanted to start on offense, but I feel like our defense and special teams kept us in the game. We did enough in the second half as an offense to win the game.
Q. Sam, you guys had four conversions on third and nine or longer in this game. Just how big was that in the scheme of things when you guys had some plays that set you back to be behind the chains to be able to move the ball like that?
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah. Yeah, it's huge. You know, it's something that we been working on a ton, just kind of that third and longer. I felt like our guys really stepped up; our offensive line blocked their butts off all game. We had a lot of guys in the skill group step up and make some huge plays as well.
So just a great all around effort by those guys on those third downs.
Q. ...last two games rushing 330 some yards. How big is getting the run game going this time of year?
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, no doubt. It's awesome. Then just the way we ended it. To have that four-minute drive and kind of seal the deal with that touchdown there late, that was huge for us to end of the game that way.
Q. AJ Barner got to 50 receptions and (indiscernible) receiving yards today. How much has it meant to this offense for him to take that next step as a pass catcher here in his second season?
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, it's huge. We all know what AJ is capable of. You know, so confident in him as a quarterback. Obviously he does a lot of stuff that people don't see, things that aren't going to show up in the stat sheet.
He does a great job in the pass game as well when we need him to. He stepped up in a big way for us there today.
Q. The play they called a fumble, what happened on that? What did you see happened on that play?
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, I dropped the ball, which, again, like I'm just trying to drop -- feel like I was still in the pocket so feel like I had a good base and I was in the right spot to be able to make that throw.
The defense just made a good play. Got their hasn't on my forearm or elbow, and, yeah, kind of is what it is.
Q. The tackle that you made there, last time -- have you done that much recently?
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, I can't remember the last time I did that. You know, it was fun, you know, but obviously it's not what we want to be doing. As a quarterback I don't want to be making tackles out there.
Yeah, it was kind of a throwback to high school when I was playing linebacker.
Q. Those four-minute drives that you mentioned, how big are those not only today but for the rest of the season to get where you guys want to be?
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, no doubt. That's what I was kind of alluding to there. I feel like we've had a few four-minute drives previously throughout the year where we've given the ball back and our defense has stepped up all year.
For us to have that drive, have a great drive in that four-minute offense to put the game away, like I said, it's huge for us just moving forward.
Q. ...to have your defense one play after a turnover go and get the ball back.
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah.
Q. What kind of momentum is that for you guys?
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, it's unbelievable. Our defense has been doing that all year. They been stepping up in such a huge way, especially for me. Like that turnover I just got to move on in my progression, or at least make an us-or-nobody throw where Jax can go up and get it, or it's incomplete. So our defense has had our back all year and vice versa.
When we feel like we need a spark, our offense stepped up in big ways as well. It's just complementary football all season long, and this one especially.
Q. You and D-Law got here at the same time, signed as free agents. Did you know him much at all?
SAM DARNOLD: No, I mean, obviously I've seen him a ton on tape. Gone against him a couple times. Yeah, he's obviously a guy that is of high character, and to see that firsthand, see kind of the leader that he is, seeing the offensive line or even the young defensive line in between reps in practice, just what he means to this team is -- he's awesome and great for this team and organization.
Q. What's the big picture of this team now heading to San Francisco?
SAM DARNOLD: Yeah, next game. Obviously it's a big game, but, yeah, we're excited about that opportunity. We're going to enjoy this one a little bit and get focused on them tomorrow.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports