They lost to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 and lost in the NFC Championship Game in 1997 and 2006. A week earlier, the Panthers had taken a 31-0 halftime lead on Seattle and held on for a 31-24 win.
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So there the Carolina Panthers’ all-everything quarterback was, with 2:14 to play in the third quarter of an NFC championship game that already felt over, racing down the right sideline, blockers clearing his path, only Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson standing in his way.
This time, it might be enough to get Carolina to the Super Bowl.
For much of the season, people wanted to find excuses for Carolina’s flawless record. Meanwhile, the defense allowed an 86-yard touchdown to Corey Brown thanks to a missed tackle.
The Panthers are about a quarter away from a date with the Broncos in the Super Bowl, up 34-7 on the Cardinals after an impressive start to the second half. The Cardinals went 79 yards on 10 plays to get on the board with a 1-yard David Johnson plunge.
It was that kind of game for the Panthers, who thrived even when they did make mistakes.
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Peterson tried to make up for his muff with an interception following another Palmer sack-fumble. Center Ryan Kalil also exited the game with a knee injury and his return was initially ruled questionable. Peterson return the pick 73 yards to the Panthers 22, but Palmer was intercepted by Kurt Coleman in the end zone on the very next play.
