Historical Moments:
1995: Led by coach Dom Capers the Carolina Panthers take the field with a roster full of
solid veterans. In their first game the Panthers play valiant football before
losing in overtime to the Falcons 23-20 in Atlanta. After losing their next game
in Buffalo to the Bills, the Panthers play their first home game in Clemson,
South Carolina better known as "Death Valley" with rookie QB Kerry Collins getting
the start after Frank Reich struggled in his 2 starts. The Panthers would
lose again 31-10 to the St. Louis Rams. The Panthers would go on to lose their
first 5 games before beating the New York Jets 26-15 behind a 36-yard interception
return by Sam Mills. The win would be the first of 4 straight as the Panthers
even beat the defending Super Bowl Champion 49ers in San Francisco 13-7. The
Panthers would continue to play solid football splitting their next 6 games, before
losing their season finale 20-17 to the Redskins in Washington. Had the Panthers
won they would have completed their inaugural season with a .500 record.
However at 7-9 they still were able to post the best record ever for an expansion
team.
1996: On September 1st the Panthers christen Ericsson Stadium their new place in Charlotte,
with an impressive 29-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers would win
their first 3 games, before 4 straight road losses sandwiching 2 home wins dropped
them to 5-4. From there the defense would take over as the Panthers won
their final 7 games to finish with a 12-4 record, as the Panthers defense held
teams to stingy 218 points on the season, 2nd best in the NFL. Thanks to
a sweep of the San Francisco 49ers the Panthers won the NFC Western Division Title
earning a 1st Round bye. After an undefeated regular season at home the Panthers
hosted the defending Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys at Ericsson Stadium.
The Panthers would jump out early and would go on to win 26-17, as Sam Mills'
long interception return sealed the game. However, the Panthers magical season
would end a week in the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay with a 30-13 loss
to the Packers.
1997: The Panthers playoff hopes take a hit before the season even starts as QB Kerry Collins
suffers a badly broken jaw on a controversial cheep shot by Bill Romonowski
of the Denver Broncos. The injury seemed to affect Collins all season as he
struggled horribly throwing 21 interceptions to just 11 TD passes as the Panthers
played mediocre all season on the way to a disappointing 7-9 record.
1998: First came rumors that QB Kerry Collins made an off color racial slur, that made
him a pariah to his teammates. After a 0-4 start Collins suddenly quit the team
leading the Panthers to release their once promising quarterback. Under Steve
Beuerlein the Panthers continued to struggle eventually extending their losing
streak to 7 games. The Panthers would go on to finish with a horrible 4-12 record
as the Panthers played uninspired football all season, seemingly quitting at
the end of the season. Following the season Coach Dom Capers would be fired and
replaced by George Seifert, who had an impressive .766 career winning percentage
in 8 years with the San Francisco 49ers.
1999: The Panthers stumble out of the gate losing 5 of their first 7 games, in their first
year under George Seifert. However, with Steve Beuerlein passing for 4,436
yards while connecting on 44 TD passes the Panthers win 6 of their final 9 games
to post an 8-8 record. Helping Beuerlein is a trio of receivers who put up big
numbers. Muhsin Muhammad and Patrick Jeffers each gain over 1,000 receiving yards
while TE Wesley Walls collected 822 yards. The 3 combined for 32 TD receptions
with Walls and Jeffers having 12 each. However, it was the off the field exploits
of another receiver that brought embarrassment to both the Panthers and
the NFL. On an off day in November Carruth participated in the drive by shooting
of his pregnant girlfriend. Although the baby would survive his victim, Cherica
Adams would die form her wounds leading to a sensational murder trial. Carruth
was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to 25 years ending
a promising NFL career.
2000: Prior to the start of training camp the Panthers are devastated by domestic violence
again when RB Fred Lane is murdered by his wife. The Panthers never quite get
it rolling losing 3 of their first 4 games on the way to a 7-9 season. Following
a season in which he passed for 3,730 yards QB Steve Beuerlein is not resigned
as the Panthers selected Heisman Winner Chris Weinkie in the 4th Round.
2001: The Panthers get off to a promising start as QB Chris Weinkie stars in a 24-13 win
over the Vikings in Minnesota in the season opener. After the September 11th
terrorist attack postponed the 2nd week of the season the Panthers fell to 1-1
with a 24-16 loss to the Falcons in Atlanta. The Panthers would drop their next
2 falling to 1-3, before losing on a last 2nd TD to New Orleans Saints at Ericsson
Stadium 27-25. A week later they would fall to 1-5 after blowing a 14-0 lead
to the Redskins in Washington. A week later it was heartbreak at Ericsson Stadium
again with a 13-12 loss to the New York Jets. It would only get worse
as the Panthers continued a downward spiral blowing leads losing close games
and getting blown out. When the smoke cleared the Panthers found themselves at
1-15 after a first ever in season 15 game losing streak. The Panthers were simply
bad on both sides of the ball ranking 30th of 31 teams in Offense and dead
last in defense. Following the season Coach George Seifert is fired losing
32 games in 3 seasons, 2 more then he lost in 8 years in San Francisco with the
49ers.
2002: After losing their final 15 games the year before the Panthers had to start from
scratch and with new Coach John Fox the Panthers decided to build with defense
drafting DE Julius Peppers from UNC with 2nd overall pick in the NFL Draft. When
the season started the Panthers went the veteran route with their starting QB
naming Rodney Peete who had not taken a snap in 3 years as their starter. Peete
would prove a serviceable solution as the Panthers won their first 3 games. However,
injuries would lead to an 8-game losing streak as the Panthers plummeted
into last place in the NFC South. However, the Panthers would end thee season
on a string note winning 4 of their last 5 games to finish with a 7-9 record.
Top Rookie Julius Peppers would go on to win defensive rookie of the year honors
with 12 sacks in just 12 games as he was suspended the final 4 games for using
the banded supplement ephedra.
2003: The Panthers started their season in dramatic fashion with a 24-23 win over the Jacksonville
Jaguars as QB Jake Delhomme came off the bench and led a 17-point 4th
quarter rally connecting with Ricky Prohel with 16 seconds left for the winning
TD. In Week 2 the Panthers were shutting down the defending champion Tampa
Bay Buccaneers when suddenly on the last play of regulation the Bucs appeared to
have the game won with a TD. However, the Panthers were given a stunning stay
of execution as the Panthers blocked Martin Gramatica's PAT. In overtime the Panthers
would take advantage beating the Bucs on a 47-yard FG by John Kasay. After
winning the next 2 games the Panthers faced the Indianapolis Colts in Week
6 in a showdown of unbeaten teams. Again the Panthers would win in dramatic fashion
rallying from a 13-3 halftime deficit to win in overtime 23-20, improving
to 5-0. After losing to the Tennessee Titans the following the Panthers again came
from behind to win overtime beating the New Orleans Saints on the road 23-20.
After a stunning loss to the Houston Texans the Panthers again won in dramatic
fashion sweeping the Buccaneers 27-24 with a 5-yard Delhomme to Steve Smith
TD with 1:05 left to give the Panthers full control of the NFC South. The following
week the Panthers did it again as Stephen Davis made his former team pay scoring
a TD with 1:09 left as the Panthers beat the Washington Redskins 20-17.
At 8-2 the Panthers were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL. However things
would be rough as the Panthers lost their next 3 games. Needing to get momentum
into the playoffs the Panthers took advantage of weak competition beating three
last place teams to close the season with a solid 11-5 record good enough for
their second division title in franchise history. The Panthers got their playoffs
off to a strong start with a dominant 29-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys at
home avenging a loss from the regular season, holding the Cowboys to just 204
total yards along the way as Stephen Davis alone collected 239 All-Purpose Yards
with 2 Touchdowns. The Panthers second round game on the road against the St.
Louis Rams would not be nearly as easy as the Rams scored 11 points in the final
5 minutes to send the game to overtime tied 23-23. After each team missed potential
game winning field goals in the first overtime the Panthers again showed
their flare for the dramatic as Jake Delhomme connected with Steve Smith on
a dramatic 69-yard TD pass on the first play of the 6th Quarter as the Panthers
advanced to the NFC Championship Game with a 30-23 win. Facing the Philadelphia
Eagles not many people had given the Panthers a chance to reach the Super Bowl.
However the Panthers defense harassed and hassled QB Donovan McNair all game
as Ricky Manning intercepted McNabb 3 times, while pressuring him all game with
5 sacks one of which injured the All-Pro QB's ribs eventually forcing him to
miss the entire 4th Quarter, as the Panthers advanced to Super Bowl XXXVIII with
a 14-3 win.
Super Bowl XXXVIII: The Panthers road to Super Bowl XXXVIII had been an improbable one, just 2 seasons
after a wretched 1-15 season the Panthers were now in the biggest game of them
all against the New England Patriots. After a scoreless 1st Quarter the Patriots
drew first blood after Jake Delhomme fumbled on the Panthers own 20-yard line.
The Panthers would recover with a quick 90-yard drive to tie the game at 7.
However the Pats responded with a quick drive of their own to take a 14-7 lead
with 18 seconds left in the half. The Panthers would not go quietly into
halftime as they moved into FG range quickly allowing John Kasay to hit a 50-yard
FG as time expired in the 2nd Quarter. After a scoreless 3rd Quarter the Patriots
would extend their lead to 21-10 just 11 seconds into the 4th Quarter. The
Panthers would strike back quickly on Deshaun Foster's 33-yard Touchdown run.
After the Panthers 2-point try failed the score was 21-16, but the Panthers had
not been in control all game as the Pats drove down the field an appeared to
be on the way to putting the game away when Reggie Howard intercepted Tom Brady's
pass in the endzone. The Panthers would take full advantage and on one play
turned the Super Bowl into a contest as Jake Delhomme connected with Mushin Muhammad
on an 85-yard TD pas to give the Panthers a 22-21 lead. Unfortunately the
Panthers 2-point conversion attempt would fail again. The Panthers lead would
not last as the Pats scored a TD on the next drive, while adding a 2-point conversion
to take a 29-22 lead. However, the resilient Panthers would not go away
quietly tying the game with 1:08 left to tie the game. However, the Panthers kickoff
went out of bounds and the Patriots were set up at the 40 only needing to
get into Field Goal range to win the game. The Pats would drive 47 yards as Tom
Brady in familiar territory set up Adam Vinatieri who nailed a 37-yard FG as
time expired to give the Pats the Lombardi Trophy with a 32-29 win.
2004: Coming off their surprise trip to the Super Bowl optimism was high in Carolina as
the Panthers looked to be strong again. However right from the first game they
would be ravaged with injuries as both RB Stephan Davis and WR Steve Smith both
suffered injuries that would essentially end their seasons in a 24-14 Monday
Night loss to the Green Bay Packers. The Panthers would rebound to beat the Kansas
City Chiefs the following week, but the loss of several key players became
too much to overcome as they dropped their next 6 on the way to a terrible 1-7
start. Facing a lost season the Panthers suddenly turned it a round with Nick Goings
picking up the slack for Davis and Mushin Muhammad having a career year with
1,405 receiving yards and 16 Touchdowns. Suddenly back in the playoff picture
with a chance to improve to .500 the Panthers saw a furious comeback against
the Atlanta Falcons come up short as their 3 TD 4th Quarter which forced overtime
came up with a 34-31 loss. After rebounding to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
the following week the Panthers needed just to beat the New Orleans Saints at
home in the season finale to slip into the playoffs at 8-8. However their offense
would sputter in a 21-18 as they would settle for 3rd place with a 7-9 record.
2005: As the season started the Panthers were considered one of the top teams in the NFL
as Sports Illustrated even picked them to win the Super Bowl in their NFL Preview
issue. However, in Week 1 they may have gotten a little sting from the SI
Jinx as the Panthers were stunned at home by the New Orleans Saints who entered
the game still reeling after becoming vagabonds because of Hurricane Katrina.
After bouncing back the following week to beat the New England Patriots 27-17,
the Panthers stumbled again losing to the Miami Dolphins 27-24. The loss in Miami
would spoil a career day from WR Steve Smith who collected 170 yards receiving
with 3 Touchdowns. It would not be the only big day Smith would enjoy as the
Panthers 5'9" receiver who was thought by most experts established himself as
one of the top receivers in the NFL leading the league with 1563 yards, while scoring
12 TDs. Following the disappointing loss in Miami the Panthers finally played
the football experts predicted them to play as they won six games in a row,
as Steve Smith had another career day collecting 201 yards in a 38-13 win over
the Minnesota Vikings. Following a 13-3 setback on the road against the Chicago
Bears and consecutive wins over the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons, the
Panthers at 9-3 faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the NFC Southern Division on
the line. The Panthers would fall behind early as the Bucs tough defense held
the Panthers scoreless during the first half taking a 10-0 halftime lead. After
each team exchanged field goals in the 3rd Quarter the Buccaneers took a stranglehold
of the game as Cadillac Williams scored his second TD to give Tampa a
20-3 lead on the way to a 20-10 win. After a revenge win over the Saints in Baton
Rouge, the Panthers suddenly saw their playoff hopes on the ropes as they lost
to the Dallas Cowboys at home 24-20 on Christmas Eve, as a less than jolly Steve
Smith was ejected after grabbing an official. Needing a win in their final
game the traveled to Atlanta and slammed the rival Falcons 44-11 making a statement
along the way to earn a Wild Card berth with an 11-5 record. Facing the New
York Giants the Panthers were the team that looked like the division winner
as they simply as they simply shutdown the Giants all game long turning the usually
loud Giants Stadium into a the quietest place in New York, as the Panthers
defense forced 5 Turnovers as Steve Smith scored a rushing and receiving TD in
a dominant 23-0 win for the Panthers. Traveling back to Chicago where they stumbled
earlier in the season the Panthers got off to a fast as Jake Delhomme hit
Steve Smith on a 58-yard TD pass just 55 seconds into the game. The Panthers behind
three John Kasay Field Goals would take a 16-7 lead into halftime, but the
Bears would not go down quietly as they scored early in the 3rd Quarter to make
the score 16-14. The Panthers would answer back late in the 3rd as Smith scored
on a 39-yard pass. In the 4th Quarter the Bears would again get within 2 points
on an 11-play TD drive. However, the Panthers would answer back again as Delhomme
who passed for over 319 yards hit Kris Mangum for a 1-yard pass as the
Panthers won a trip the NFC Championship 29-21. Facing the Seattle Seahawks the
Panthers entered the game limping as DeShaun Foster was injured in the win over
the Bears, leaving them without a reliable running game. The lack of a running
game would prove costly as the Seahawks defense keyed on Steve Smith and shutdown
the Panther star WR on the way to an easy 34-14 win to earn a trip to Super
Bowl XL.
2006: After falling one game short of a trip to their Super Bowl, expectations were high
for the Carolina Panthers, as they were the trendy pick to win the Super Bowl
in the preseason. However, with WR Steve Smith nursing a hamstring injury the
Panthers got off to a shaky start dropping their first two games of the season.
Steve Smith returned in Week 3, as the Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
26-24 on a 46-yard Field Goal by John Kasay with 2 seconds left in the game. The
win against the Bucs, would get the Panthers going as they rolled off a four
game winning streak, However, following a 17-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals,
the Panthers experience their worst loss of the season on a Sunday Night at home
against the Dallas Cowboys. After jumping out to a 14-0 lead the Panthers allowed
the Cowboys to end the game with 35 unanswered points as first time starter
Tony Romo passed for 270 yards against the Panthers defense. After entering
the bye week with a disappointing 4-4 record, the Panthers again beat the Buccaneers
at home 24-10, scoring 17 points in the 3rd Quarter after trailing at halftime
7-0. The Panthers defense put up their best effort a week later sacking Marc
Bulger seven times as they shutout the St. Louis Rams 15-0. However, a week
later they would be stunned by the Washington Redskins 17-13. A week later they
would be stunned again as they blew a 4th Quarter lead losing to the Philadelphia
Eagles 27-24, in the process they also lost QB Jake Delhomme to a thumb injury.
With Chris Weinke starting against the New York Giants the Panthers continued
their nose dive falling below .500, as Weinke was picked off three times in
a 27-13 loss. The Panthers would lose again the following week to the Pittsburgh
Steelers 37-3, virtually ending their playoff hopes. The Panthers would win
the final two games of the season, but at 8-8 they would fail to make the playoffs.
2007: After a disappointing season the Panthers hoped they could get back on track in 2007
as they opened the season with a solid road win over the St. Louis Rams. However
a week later in their home opener the Panthers suffered a set back losing
to the Houston Texans 34-21. The Panthers would recover with a 27-20 win over
the Atlanta Falcons, but lost QB Jake Delhomme to a season ending elbow injury.
With newly acquired back up David Carr under center the Panthers lost a chance
to get first place as they were beaten at home again, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20-17. On the road again the Panthers won again in Week 5, beating the New
Orleans Saints 16-13 on a 52-yard game winning field goal as time expired by John
Kasay, capping a 10-point rally in the game's final four minutes. However, along
the way David Carr was shaken up forcing the Panthers to call upon 20-year
veteran Vinny Testeverde, who was more then up to the challenge leading the Panthers
to another win on the road, beating the Arizona Cardinals 25-10. Carr would
return a week later, but the Panthers continued to struggle at home losing
to the Indianapolis Colts 31-7. It would be the start of a five game losing streak
as neither Carr nor the 43-year old Testverde could get the Panthers offense
moving. The Panthers would end their losing streak by finally get a win for the
home fans, as they beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-14. However, there would
be no salvaging the Panthers season as they ended the year with a disappointing
record of 7-9. |
