Linebackers Thomas Davis Jon Beason and Na’il Diggs DEFENSE AT ITS BEST The Carolina Panthers impressed football experts in 1996 The Panthers were an expansion team in the National Football League NFL It was just their second year New teams in any pro sport normally need several years to develop But the Panthers won five of their first nine games that year Amazingly they also won their next six games They knocked off the San Francisco 49ers during the streak This was important Going into the final regular-season game Carolina and San Francisco were tied atop the National Football Conference NFC Western Division The division champion would have a first-round bye in the play-offs play-offs That team would also host the second round The Panthers had beaten 9
the 49ers twice during the season This meant that if both teams won their final games Carolina owned the tiebreaker But Carolina faced a formidable foe The Pittsburgh Steelers were the defending American Football Conference AFC champions The Panthers scored first Quarterback Kerry Collins threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Wesley Walls Carolina added two more points on a safety But Pittsburgh struck back It scored two touchdowns in the second quarter Carolina followed halftime with three drives Each one ended with a short field goal by John Kasay These gave the Panthers an 18 14 lead Then it was the Steelers turn They drove to the Panthers six-yard line Less than a minute remained All season the Panthers had relied on their smothering defense It was designed by head coach Dom Capers They rarely gave up more than 20 points in a game Could they keep the Steelers out of the end zone Carolina defenders stuffed two Pittsburgh running plays On third down Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart spotted a receiver left Linebacker Sam Mills 10
Week 14 Panthers vs Green Bay Packers Green Bay Wisconsin December 12 1999 GRIDIRON GREATS STEVE’S SPRINT Quarterback Steve Beuerlein was not known for his running ability Yet a famous Beuerlein run is fondly remembered as The Draw The play occurred in December 1999 The Panthers were playing the Green Bay Packers Only five seconds were left The Panthers trailed by four They had the ball on the five-yard line Coach George Seifert called a quarterback draw They’ll never expect it he said Beuerlein announced the play in the huddle His teammates were shocked He dropped back as if to pass Then he followed his blockers into the end zone Carolina won the game 11
