The Panthers appeared to be on their way to victory late in the fourth quarter, but they blew an 11-point lead with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. Running Back Marshall Faulk scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 2:39 on the clock, and a toss to Dane Looker on the two-point conversion attempt was successful, cutting the difference to a field goal.
On the ensuing onside kick, the ball took a high bounce after being touched by a member of the Panthers and was recovered by kicker Jeff Wilkins, setting up his game-tying 33-yard field goal as time ran out in regulation.
In the first overtime, the Panthers took the kickoff and drove to the Rams 22, setting up a 40-yard attempt by John Kasay. Kasay hit the attempt, but the Panthers were called for delay of game, nullifying the play and pushing the Panthers back five yards.
Carolina ran two plays, but failed to get in better position, and Kasay missed wide right from 45 yards out.
St. Louis then took their turn moving into field-goal range, but this time it was Wilkins' turn to miss as his 53-yard attempt came up just short of the crossbar.
The Rams defensive line manhandled the Panthers on their next drive and forced them to punt. St. Louis took control of the ball at their own 13-yard line and they were driving when quarterback Marc Bulger was picked off by Rickey Manning Jr. at Carolina’s 38-yard line.
DeShaun Foster lost one yard on first down, then Delhomme was sacked for a three-yard loss, before hitting Smith for the game winner.
Some questionable time management by the Rams may have cost them a chance to win the game in regulation. Trailing Carolina by three with 2:38 remaining, St. Louis managed to run just four offensive plays before Wilkins' tying field goal as time expired.
Panthers running back Stephen Davis left the game with a quadriceps injury after a 64-yard run in the first quarter, but Foster filled in nicely with 95 yards on 21 carries.
Delhomme was 16-for-26 for 290 yards, including the game-winning pass.
Bulger was 27-for-46 for 332 yards, but was intercepted three times.
The Panthers win advances them to the NFC Championship game, where they will play the winner of Sunday’s contest between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.
