CHARLOTTE — The Panthers couldn't beat the best team in the NFC for a third time this season.

But they did prove they could stand toe-to-toe with a 12-win team, and they still have a chance at the playoffs next week.

The Panthers fell 27-10 to the Seahawks Sunday in a raucous Bank of America Stadium, to fall to 8-8 on the season.

That still gives them a chance at the NFC South title next week at Tampa Bay, regardless of the loss.

The Panthers played incredibly on defense throughout the day, with Mike Jackson picking off Sam Darnold in the end zone, and Nic Scourton forcing a Darnold fumble with a sack.

They held the Seahawks (who are seventh in the league in total offense) to just 122 in the first half, when the score was tied 3-3.

The Seahawks made enough plays after the break, and a couple of breakdowns allowed them to seal the game.

The Panthers committed a pair of turnovers in the first quarter, with a Chuba Hubbard fumble and a Bryce Young interception. The Seahawks answered both with touchdowns.

The Panthers weren't done, however, despite trailing 17-3 with 5:32 left in the third quarter.

Young capped a 13-play, 69-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run to make it 17-10 with 13:41 left.

It was a tough day for the passing offense, as Young was limited to 54 yards through the air, and they were 1-of-11 on third down conversions.

The Seahawks — as one of the top teams in the league will do — took that punch and responded.

Darnold led a 14-play field goal drive that chewed up 8:08 worth of fourth-quarter time, making it a two-score game. That drive was helped along with a facemask penalty by Jaycee Horn on a third-and-21, allowing them to continue the drive.

Again, they have a chance to finish it next week at Raymond James Stadium, against a team they beat 23-20 here last week.

That, and the fact that the Panthers played one of the best teams in the league the way they did, was the larger lesson for a constantly improving team.

There's still work to do. And they have a chance to make it count.