NFC West Power Rankings: Week Six

4 – Seattle Seahawks, 2-4 (Last Week: 3)

Oct 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) celebrates with quarterback Cam Newton (1) after catching a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. The Panthers won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks are becoming masterful at giving away football games, making it look like they spend hours working on it in practice. One week after blowing a 17-point fourth quarter lead to the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle let a nine-point fourth quarter lead slip away against the Carolina Panthers, who are also still unbeaten.

Things were going swimmingly for the Seahawks, as they entered the final frame ahead of the Panthers 20-14, looking to finally put their fourth quarter woes behind them. Instead, Cam Newton completed 12 of his 15 attempts in the fourth for 169 yards, including the game-winning touchdown to tight end Greg Olsen with 32 seconds on the clock.

Seattle has lost four games this year, and have held a fourth-quarter lead in every one of those losses. In the first three quarters, they’ve outscored their opponents 108 points to 64. In the final quarter and overtime, they’ve been outscored 61 points to 27.

There aren’t many positives to take away from this stretch of demoralizing losses, but Sunday’s did provide a glimmer of hope. New tight end Jimmy Graham caught eight passes for 140 yards, having by far his best game with the Seahawks so far.

As the season treks forward, Seattle is still only just two games behind in the division race, and still have two games left against the division’s leader. With a matchup against their hated rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, coming up on Thursday night, they will have a chance to get back on track. They can’t wait very long to do so, however.

Next: Number Three