Seahawks beat Panthers 31-17, will host Green Bay or Dallas next Sunday

SEATTLE (AP) — Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes, Kam Chancellor returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown, and the Seattle Seahawks beat the Carolina Panthers 31-17 on Saturday night in the NFC divisional playoff game.

Wilson hit Doug Baldwin on a 16-yard touchdown in the first quarter, found Jermaine Kearse on a 63-yard score in the second quarter and capped the night with a 25-yard TD pass to Luke Willson early in the fourth quarter.

The Seahawks never trailed and became the first defending Super Bowl champion to win a playoff game the following season since New England in January 2006.

Seattle will host either Green Bay or Dallas next Sunday for a trip to the Super Bowl.

Cam Newton threw a pair of touchdowns to Kelvin Benjamin, but Carolina couldn't overcome three turnovers.