NFC Divisional Playoff 1996 Carolina Panthers season

at ericsson stadium, charlotte, north carolina

date: sunday, january 5, 1997
game time: 4:00 p.m. est
game weather: 71 °f (22 °c), clear
game attendance: 72,808
referee: johnny grier
tv announcers (fox): pat summerall , john madden

the second-year panthers held cowboys quarterback troy aikman 165 passing yards , forced 3 interceptions en route first playoff win in team history. cowboys receiver michael irvin knocked out of game on second play on hard hit lamar lathon; hit broke irvin s collarbone. on offense, running anthony johnson top performer 104 rushing yards , 9-yard reception. dallas scored first on kicker chris boniol s 22-yard field goal, wide receiver michael irvin knocked out of game separated shoulder. carolina quarterback kerry collins threw 2 touchdown passes, 1-yarder tight end wesley walls , 10-yarder wide receiver willie green. cowboys countered 73-yard drive score on aikman s 2-yard touchdown pass daryl johnston, failed on point attempt , panthers lead cut 14–9. bad snap on carolina punt attempt went out of end zone give cowboys safety. panthers safety chad cota intercepted pass , returned 49 yards set kicker john kasay s 24-yard field goal 3 seconds in half, giving carolina 17–11 halftime lead. second half battle of field goals kasey kicking 3 on boniol s 2. in final minutes of fourth penalties on tyrone poole kept cowboys drive alive, until aikman intercepted pat terrell; subsequent kasay field goal ended hopes cowboys in 26–17 carolina win.