# 1995 Carolina Panthers season

The 1995 Carolina Panthers season was the franchise's inaugural season in the National Football League and the first under head coach Dom Capers. They went 7–9, the best debut year for any expansion franchise since the NFL's inception. The Panthers played their first season's home games at Clemson University because what would become Ericsson Stadium was still under construction after a deadline point in 1995 for scheduling Carolina's first set of NFL games.

## Offseason

The Panthers were jokingly called "Buffalo Bills South" because of the large number of former Bills on the roster. Quarterback Frank Reich, wide receiver Don Beebe, tight end Pete Metzelaars and linebacker Carlton Bailey had played key roles in the Bills' run of four consecutive Super Bowls earlier in the 1990s and were on the Panthers' inaugural roster. Furthermore, the team's general manager was longtime Bills GM and executive Bill Polian. (See also the 2001 San Diego Chargers season, in which a similar situation arose when John Butler brought several former Bills with him to San Diego after being fired.)

### Expansion draft

1995 Carolina Panthers expansion draft :
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | Drafted from |
| 1 | 2 | Rod Smith^ | CB | New England Patriots |
| 2 | 4 | Harry Boatswain | OT | San Francisco 49ers |
| 3 | 6 | Kurt Haws | TE | Washington Redskins |
| 4 | 8 | Tyrone Rodgers | DE | Seattle Seahawks |
| 5 | 10 | Mark Thomas^ | DE | San Francisco 49ers |
| 6 | 12 | Tim McKyer^ | CB | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 7 | 14 | Curtis Whitley^ | C | San Diego Chargers |
| 8 | 16 | Howard Griffith^ | FB | Los Angeles Rams |
| 9 | 18 | Greg Kragen^ | NT | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 10 | 20 | Cary Brabham | S | Los Angeles Raiders |
| 11 | 22 | Dave Garnett | LB | Minnesota Vikings |
| 12 | 24 | Andre Powell | LB | New York Giants |
| 13 | 26 | Dewell Brewer^ | RB | Indianapolis Colts |
| 14 | 28 | Bob Christian^ | FB | Chicago Bears |
| 15 | 30 | Fred Foggie | S | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 16 | 32 | Mark Carrier^ | WR | Cleveland Browns |
| 17 | 34 | Mark Rodenhauser^ | C | Detroit Lions |
| 18 | 36 | Steve Hawkins | WR | New England Patriots |
| 19 | 38 | Brian O'Neal | RB | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 20 | 40 | Derrick Lassic | RB | Dallas Cowboys |
| 21 | 42 | Richard Buchanan | WR | Los Angeles Rams |
| 22 | 44 | Doug Pederson | QB | Miami Dolphins |
| 23 | 46 | Vince Marrow | TE | Buffalo Bills |
| 24 | 48 | Larry Ryans | WR | Detroit Lions |
| 25 | 50 | Baron Rollins | G | New Orleans Saints |
| 26 | 52 | Williams Sims | LB | Minnesota Vikings |
| 27 | 54 | Paul Butcher^ | LB | Indianapolis Colts |
| 28 | 56 | Jack Trudeau^ | QB | New York Jets |
| 29 | 58 | Charles Swann | WR | Denver Broncos |
| 30 | 60 | David Mims | WR | Atlanta Falcons |
| 31 | 62 | Shawn Price^ | DE | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 32 | 63 | Eric Guliford^ | WR | Minnesota Vikings |
| 33 | 64 | Bill Goldberg | DT | Atlanta Falcons |
| 34 | 65 | Eric Ball | RB | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 35 | 66 | Mike Teeter^ | DT | Houston Oilers |
^ Made roster.

### NFL Draft

1995 Carolina Panthers draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 5 | Kerry Collins * | QB | Penn State | from Cincinnati |
| 1 | 22 | Tyrone Poole | CB | Fort Valley State | from Green Bay |
| 1 | 29 | Blake Brockermeyer | OT | Texas | from San Diego |
| 2 | 36 | Shawn King | DE | Louisiana–Monroe | from Cincinnati |
| 4 | 132 | Frank Garcia | C | Washington | |
| 5 | 135 | Michael Senters | WR | Northwestern | |
| 5 | 171 | Andrew Peterson | OT | Washington | |
| 6 | 188 | Steve Strahan | DT | Baylor | |
| 6 | 191 | Jerry Colquitt | QB | Tennessee | from Kansas City |
| 7 | 209 | Chad Cota | SS | Oregon | |
| 7 | 249 | Michael Reed | SS | Boston College | |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||
Draft trades
* 1 2 The Panthers traded a first-round selection (1st overall) to Cincinnati in exchange for first- and second-round selections (5th and 36th overall).
* ↑ The Panthers traded first-, third-, and sixth-round selections (32nd, 65th, and 173rd overall) to Green Bay in exchange for first- and sixth-round selections (22nd and 191st overall).
* ↑ The Panthers traded second-, third-, and fourth-round selections (34th, 98th, and 100th overall) to San Diego in exchange for a first-round selection (29th overall).
* ↑ The Panthers traded a 1996 sixth-round selection to Kansas City in exchange for a sixth-round selection (191st overall).

## Preseason
### Preseason

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| HOF | July 29 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | W 20–14 | 1–0 | Fawcett Stadium | 24,625 |
| 1 | August 4 | at Chicago Bears | L 15–18 | 1–1 | Soldier Field | 50,300 |
| 2 | August 12 | Denver Broncos | W 19–10 | 2–1 | Memorial Stadium | 57,017 |
| 3 | August 19 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 10–17 | 2–2 | 3Com Park | 51,185 |
| 4 | August 26 | New York Giants | W 6–3 | 3–2 | Memorial Stadium | 49,114 |

## Regular season

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | September 3 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 20–23 (OT) | 0–1 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
| 2 | September 10 | at Buffalo Bills | L 9–31 | 0–2 | Rich Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | September 17 | St. Louis Rams | L 10–31 | 0–3 | Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 5 | October 1 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 13–20 | 0–4 | Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| 6 | October 8 | at Chicago Bears | L 27–31 | 0–5 | Soldier Field | Recap |
| 7 | October 15 | New York Jets | W 26–15 | 1–5 | Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| 8 | October 22 | New Orleans Saints | W 20–3 | 2–5 | Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| 9 | October 29 | at New England Patriots | W 20–17 (OT) | 3–5 | Foxboro Stadium | Recap |
| 10 | November 5 | at San Francisco 49ers | W 13–7 | 4–5 | Candlestick Park | Recap |
| 11 | November 12 | at St. Louis Rams | L 17–28 | 4–6 | Trans World Dome | Recap |
| 12 | November 19 | Arizona Cardinals | W 27–7 | 5–6 | Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | November 26 | at New Orleans Saints | L 26–34 | 5–7 | Louisiana Superdome | Recap |
| 14 | December 3 | Indianapolis Colts | W 13–10 | 6–7 | Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| 15 | December 10 | San Francisco 49ers | L 10–31 | 6–8 | Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| 16 | December 17 | Atlanta Falcons | W 21–17 | 7–8 | Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| 17 | December 24 | at Washington Redskins | L 17–20 | 7–9 | Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. |||||||

## Season summary
### Week 1: at Atlanta Falcons

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Panthers | 13 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
| Falcons | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
* Date: September 3
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: None (played indoors)
* Game attendance: 58,808
* TV announcers (FOX): Thom Brennaman, Ron Pitts
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
CAR – Pete Metzelaars 8-yard pass from Frank Reich (John Kasay kick). Panthers 7–0.
CAR – John Kasay 39-yard field goal. Panthers 10–0.
ATL – Morten Andersen 27-yard field goal. Panthers 10–3.
CAR – John Kasay 41-yard field goal. Panthers 13–3.
Second quarter
ATL – J. J. Birden 12-yard pass from Jeff George (Morten Andersen kick). Panthers 13–10.
ATL – Morten Andersen 51-yard field goal. Tied 13–13.
Third quarter
ATL – Bert Emanuel 5-yard pass from Jeff George (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 20–13.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Willie Green 44-yard pass from Frank Reich (John Kasay kick). Tied 20–20.
Overtime
ATL – Morten Andersen 35-yard field goal. Falcons 23–20.
Top passers
CAR – Frank Reich – 23/44, 329 yards, 2 TD
ATL – Jeff George – 27/45, 290 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
CAR – Randy Baldwin – 17 rushes, 43 yards
ATL – Craig Heyward – 19 rushes, 61 yards
Top receivers
CAR – Willie Green – 7 receptions, 121 yards, TD
ATL – Eric Metcalf – 9 receptions, 95 yards :

### Week 2: at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Bills | 0 | 0 | 28 | 3 | 31 |
at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: September 10
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 79,190
* TV announcers (FOX): Kenny Albert, Anthony Muñoz
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
CAR – John Kasay 34-yard field goal. Panthers 3–0.
CAR – John Kasay 52-yard field goal. Panthers 6–0.
Third quarter
CAR – John Kasay 32-yard field goal. Panthers 9–0.
BUF – Russell Copeland 77-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Steve Christie kick). Panthers 9–7.
BUF – Thurman Thomas 4-yard run (Steve Christie kick). Bills 14–9.
BUF – Darick Holmes 3-yard run (Steve Christie kick). Bills 21–9.
BUF – Kurt Schulz 32-yard interception return (Steve Christie kick). Bills 28–9.
Fourth quarter
BUF – Steve Christie 39-yard field goal. Bills 31–9.
Top passers
CAR – Frank Reich – 6/21, 44 yards, INT
BUF – Jim Kelly – 4/21, 176 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
CAR – Derrick Moore – 14 rushes, 53 yards
BUF – Thurman Thomas – 22 rushes, 91 yards, TD
Top receivers
CAR – Mark Carrier – 2 receptions, 27 yards
BUF – Russell Copeland – 2 receptions, 112 yards, TD :

### Week 3: vs. St. Louis Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rams | 0 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
| Panthers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
* Date: September 17
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
* Game attendance: 54,060
* TV announcers (FOX): Kenny Albert, Anthony Muñoz
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
STL – Jerome Bettis 2-yard run (Steve McLaughlin kick). Rams 7–0.
STL – Jessie Hester 23-yard pass from Chris Miller (Steve McLaughlin kick). Rams 14–0.
CAR – John Kasay 45-yard field goal. Rams 14–3.
Third quarter
STL – Anthony Parker 28-yard fumble return (Steve McLaughlin kick). Rams 21–3.
STL – Steve McLaughlin 34-yard field goal. Rams 24–3.
Fourth quarter
STL – Torin Dorn 24-yard interception return (Steve McLaughlin kick). Rams 31–3.
CAR – Kerry Collins 1-yard run (John Kasay kick). Rams 31–10.
Top passers
STL – Chris Miller – 15/26, 225 yards, TD
CAR – Frank Reich – 8/19, 68 yards, INT
Top rushers
STL – Jerome Bettis – 19 rushes, 67 yards, TD
CAR – Vince Workman – 5 rushes, 48 yards
Top receivers
STL – Isaac Bruce – 5 receptions, 100 yards
CAR – Eric Guliford – 4 receptions, 53 yards :

### Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Buccaneers | 7 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
| Panthers | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 13 |
at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
* Date: October 1
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 50,076
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
TB – Errict Rhett 1-yard run (Michael Husted kick). Buccaneers 7–0.
Second quarter
CAR – Derrick Moore 53-yard run (John Kasay kick). Tied 7–7.
TB – Michael Husted 25-yard field goal. Buccaneers 10–7.
TB – Michael Husted 27-yard field goal. Buccaneers 13–7.
Third quarter
CAR – Pete Metzelaars 4-yard pass from Kerry Collins (kick failed). Tied 13–13.
Fourth quarter
TB – Casey Weldon 1-yard run (Michael Husted kick). Buccaneers 20–13.
Top passers
TB – Casey Weldon – 9/20, 156 yards
CAR – Kerry Collins – 18/32, 234 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
TB – Errict Rhett – 22 rushes, 50 yards, TD
CAR – Derrick Moore – 21 rushes, 123 yards, TD
Top receivers
TB – Jackie Harris – 5 receptions, 108 yards
CAR – Mark Carrier – 5 receptions, 90 yards :

### Week 6: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 3 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 27 |
| Bears | 7 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 31 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: October 8
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 59,668
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
CHI – Curtis Conway 41-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Kevin Butler kick). Bears 7–0.
CAR – John Kasay 21-yard field goal. Bears 7–3.
Second quarter
CAR – Mark Carrier 66-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 10–7.
CHI – Keith Jennings 1-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Kevin Butler kick). Bears 14–10.
CAR – John Kasay 49-yard field goal. Bears 14–13.
Third quarter
CHI – Kevin Butler 23-yard field goal. Bears 17–13.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Greg Kragen 1-yard fumble return (John Kasay kick). Panthers 20–17.
CHI – Ryan Wetnight 1-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Kevin Butler kick). Bears 24–20.
CAR – Eric Guliford 62-yard punt return (John Kasay kick). Panthers 27–24.
CHI – Robert Green 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Bears 31–27.
Top passers
CAR – Kerry Collins – 14/28, 228 yards, TD, INT
CHI – Erik Kramer – 23/41, 259 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
CAR – Derrick Moore – 15 rushes, 47 yards
CHI – Rashaan Salaam – 28 rushes, 105 yards
Top receivers
CAR – Mark Carrier – 4 receptions, 114 yards, TD
CHI – Curtis Conway – 4 receptions, 77 yards, TD :

### Week 7: vs New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 0 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 15 |
| Panthers | 3 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 26 |
at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
* Date: October 15
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 52,613
* Referee: Mike Carey
* TV: NBC
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
CAR – John Kasay 23-yard field goal. Panthers 3–0.
Second quarter
NYJ – Kerry Collins tackled in ens zone by Erik Howard. Panthers 3–2.
NYJ – Nick Lowery 50-yard field goal. Jets 5–3.
NYJ – Mo Lewis 13-yard interception return (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 12–3.
CAR – John Kasay 39-yard field goal. Jets 12–6.
CAR – Sam Mills 36-yard interception return (John Kasay kick). Panthers 13–12.
Third quarter
CAR – Vince Workman 5-yard run (John Kasay kick). Panthers 20–12.
Fourth quarter
CAR – John Kasay 40-yard field goal. Panthers 23–12.
NYJ – Nick Lowery 39-yard field goal. Panthers 23–15.
CAR – John Kasay 30-yard field goal. Panthers 26–15.
Top passers
NYJ – Bubby Brister – 17/41, 143 yards, 3 INT
CAR – Kerry Collins – 14/26, 158 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 9 rushes, 26 yards
CAR – Derrick Moore – 21 rushes, 93 yards
Top receivers
NYJ – Wayne Chrebet – 4 receptions, 56 yards
CAR – Mark Carrier – 2 receptions, 42 yards :
Players dumped Gatorade on Dom Capers after the win.

### Week 8: vs. New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Saints | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Panthers | 0 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 20 |
at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
* Date: October 22
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 55,484
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
NO – Chip Lohmiller 29-yard field goal. Saints 3–0.
CAR – John Kasay 45-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
Third quarter
CAR – Howard Griffith 2-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 10–3.
CAR – Howard Griffith 1-yard run (John Kasay kick). Panthers 17–3.
Fourth quarter
CAR – John Kasay 37-yard field goal. Panthers 20–3.
Top passers
NO – Jim Everett – 27/48, 241 yards, 4 INT
CAR – Kerry Collins – 8/21, 48 yards, TD
Top rushers
NO – Mario Bates – 17 rushes, 43 yards
CAR – Derrick Moore – 21 rushes, 88 yards
Top receivers
NO – Wesley Walls – 4 receptions, 56 yards
CAR – Mark Carrier – 2 receptions, 18 yards :

### Week 9: at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Panthers | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| Patriots | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: October 29
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 60,064
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
NE – Matt Bahr 19-yard field goal. Patriots 3–0.
Third quarter
CAR – John Kasay 27-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
CAR – Eric Guliford 24-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 10–3.
CAR – Willie Green 33-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 17–3.
Fourth quarter
NE – Curtis Martin 3-yard run (Matt Bahr kick). Panthers 17–10.
NE – Curtis Martin 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick). Tied 17–17.
Overtime
CAR – John Kasay 29-yard field goal. Panthers 20–17.
Top passers
CAR – Kerry Collins – 25/45, 309 yards, 2 TD, INT
NE – Drew Bledsoe – 22/44, 228 yards
Top rushers
CAR – Derrick Moore – 28 rushes, 119 yards
NE – Curtis Martin – 24 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
CAR – Eric Guliford – 7 receptions, 94 yards, TD
NE – Vincent Brisby – 5 receptions, 62 yards :

### Week 10: at San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 49ers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at 3Com Park, San Francisco, California
* Date: November 5
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST/1:00 PST
* Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C)
* Game attendance: 61,722
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
CAR – John Kasay 39-yard field goal. Panthers 3–0.
CAR – Tim McKyer 96-yard interception return (John Kasay kick). Panthers 10–0.
Second quarter
CAR – John Kasay 47-yard field goal. Panthers 13–0.
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
SF – Derek Loville 1-yard run (Tony Zendejas kick). Panthers 13–7.
Top passers
CAR – Kerry Collins – 17/30, 150 yards, INT
SF – Elvis Grbac – 26/37, 327 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
CAR – Derrick Moore – 18 rushes, 42 yards
SF – Derek Loville – 12 rushes, 40 yards, TD
Top receivers
CAR – Mark Carrier – 6 receptions, 59 yards
SF – Jerry Rice – 8 receptions, 111 yards :

### Week 11: at St. Louis Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
| Rams | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
at TWA Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
* Date: November 12
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (played indoors)
* Game attendance: 65,598
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
STL – Jerome Bettis 1-yard run (Dean Biasucci kick). Rams 7–0.
STL – Isaac Bruce 12-yard pass from Chris Miller (Dean Biasucci kick). Rams 14–0.
CAR – Don Beebe 21-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Rams 14–7.
Third quarter
CAR – John Kasay 23-yard field goal. Rams 14–10.
Fourth quarter
STL – Troy Drayton 2-yard pass from Chris Miller (Dean Biasucci kick). Rams 21–10.
STL – Torin Dorn 26-yard fumble return (Dean Biasucci kick). Rams 28–10.
CAR – Willie Green 17-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Rams 28–17.
Top passers
CAR – Kerry Collins – 16/35, 228 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
STL – Chris Miller – 19/32, 216 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
CAR – Howard Griffith – 13 rushes, 46 yards
STL – Jerome Bettis – 26 rushes, 91 yards, TD
Top receivers
CAR – Willie Green – 6 receptions, 157 yards, TD
STL – Isaac Bruce – 9 receptions, 110 yards, TD :

### Week 12: vs. Arizona Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Panthers | 0 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 27 |
at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
* Date: November 19
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C)
* Game attendance: 49,582
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
CAR – Pete Metzelaars 7-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 7–0.
CAR – Bob Christian 2-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 14–0.
ARI – Aeneas Williams 72-yard blocked field goal return (Greg Davis kick). Panthers 14–7.
Third quarter
CAR – John Kasay 42-yard field goal. Panthers 17–7.
CAR – John Kasay 30-yard field goal. Panthers 20–7.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Anthony Johnson 23-yard run (John Kasay kick). Panthers 27–7.
Top passers
ARI – Dave Krieg – 14/25, 106 yards
CAR – Kerry Collins – 15/23, 201 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
ARI – Garrison Hearst – 9 rushes, 32 yards
CAR – Howard Griffith – 25 rushes, 88 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 3 receptions, 37 yards
CAR – Mark Carrier – 5 receptions, 90 yards :

### Week 13: at New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 3 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 26 |
| Saints | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
* Date: November 26
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: None (played indoors)
* Game attendance: 39,580
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann and Mark Malone
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
CAR – John Kasay 22-yard field goal. Panthers 3–0.
NO – Mario Bates 4-yard run (Doug Brien kick). Saints 7–3.
Second quarter
NO – Quinn Early 27-yard pass from Jim Everett (Duog Brien kick). Saints 14–3.
CAR – Willie Green 60-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Kerry Collins pass to Walter Rasby). Saints 14–11.
NO – Doug Brien 45-yard field goal. Saints 17–11.
Third quarter
NO – Doug Brien 39-yard field goal. Saints 20–11.
NO – Mario Bates 6-yard run (Doug Brien kick). Saints 27–11.
CAR – Mark Carrier 3-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Kerry Collins pass to Bob Christian). Saints 27–19.
Fourth quarter
NO – Derek Brown 35-yard run (Doug Brien kick). Saints 34–19.
CAR – Mark Carrier 60-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Saints 34–26.
Top passers
CAR – Kerry Collins – 17/46, 335 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT
NO – Jim Everett – 15/29, 195 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
CAR – Bob Christian – 6 rushes, 39 yards
NO – Mario Bates – 19 rushes, 71 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
CAR – Mark Carrier – 6 receptions, 132 yards, 2 TD
NO – Quinn Early – 3 receptions, 60 yards, TD :

### Week 14: vs. Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Panthers | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
* Date: December 3
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 49,841
* Referee: Ed Hochuli
* TV announcers (NBC): Jim Lampley and Bob Golic
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
IND – Sean Dawkins 31-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Cary Blanchard kick). Colts 7–0.
IND – Cary Blanchard 47-yard field goal. Colts 10–0.
Second quarter
CAR – Kerry Collins 2-yard run (John Kasay kick). Colts 10–7.
CAR – John Kasay 34-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
CAR – John Kasay 38-yard field goal. Panthers 13–10.
Top passers
IND – Jim Harbaugh – 7/12, 102 yards, TD, INT
CAR – Kerry Collins – 14/34, 170 yards
Top rushers
IND – Marshall Faulk – 20 rushes, 53 yards
CAR – Derrick Moore – 19 rushes, 58 yards
Top receivers
IND – Sean Dawkins – 6 receptions, 81 yards
CAR – Willie Green – 1 reception, 33 yards :

### Week 15: vs. San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
| Panthers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
* Date: December 10
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C)
* Game attendance: 76,136
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SF – Derek Loville 4-yard pass from Steve Young (Jeff Wilkins kick). 49ers 7–0.
Second quarter
SF – Derek Loville 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick). 49ers 14–0.
CAR – John Kasay 43-yard field goal. 49ers 14–3.
SF – J. J. Stokes 20-yard pass from Steve Young (Jeff Wilkins kick). 49ers 21–3.
Third quarter
CAR – Derrick Moore 2-yard run (John Kasay kick). 49ers 21–10.
SF – Steve Young 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick). 49ers 28–10.
Fourth quarter
SF – Jeff Wilkins 20-yard field goal. 49ers 31–10.
Top passers
SF – Steve Young – 31/45, 336 yards, 2 TD, INT
CAR – Kerry Collins – 12/29, 127 yards, INT
Top rushers
SF – Derek Loville – 16 rushes, 34 yards, TD
CAR – Derrick Moore – 9 rushes, 28 yards, TD
Top receivers
SF – Jerry Rice – 6 receptions, 121 yards
CAR – Willie Green – 3 receptions, 46 yards :

### Week 16: vs. Atlanta Falcons

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Falcons | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Panthers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
* Date: December 17
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C)
* Game attendance: 53,833
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
ATL – Eric Metcalf 15-yard pass from Jeff George (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 7–0.
ATL – Craig Heyward 5-yard pass from Jeff George (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 14–0.
Second quarter
CAR – Kerry Collins 1-yard run (John Kasay kick). Falcons 14–7.
ATL – Morten Andersen 34-yard field goal. Falcons 17–7.
Third quarter
CAR – Derrick Moore 1-yard run (John Kasay kick). Falcons 17–14.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Willie Green 89-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 21–17.
Top passers
ATL – Jeff George – 29/53, 310 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
CAR – Kerry Collins – 18/28, 283 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ATL – Craig Heyward – 16 rushes, 81 yards
CAR – Derrick Moore – 10 rushes, 31 yards, TD
Top receivers
ATL – Terance Mathis – 8 receptions, 102 yards
CAR – Willie Green – 4 receptions, 147 yards, TD :

### Week 17: at Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Redskins | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C.
* Date: December 24
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C)
* Game attendance: 42,903
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
CAR – John Kasay 42-yard field goal. Panthers 3–0.
WAS – Terry Allen 1-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Redskins 7–3.
Second quarter
WAS – Eddie Murray 29-yard field goal. Redskins 10–3.
CAR – Derrick Moore 1-yard run (John Kasay kick). Tied 10–10.
Third quarter
WAS – Terry Allen 1-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Redskins 17–10.
Fourth quarter
WAS – Eddie Murray 32-yard field goal. Redskins 20–10.
CAR – Willie Green 2-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Redskins 20–17.
Top passers
CAR – Kerry Collins – 19/43, 201 yards, TD, 2 INT
WAS – Gus Frerotte – 10/24, 185 yards
Top rushers
CAR – Derrick Moore – 14 rushes, 47 yards, TD
WAS – Terry Allen – 28 rushes, 92 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
CAR – Mark Carrier – 7 receptions, 101 yards
WAS – Henry Ellard – 3 receptions, 98 yards :

## Standings

NFC West :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(2)}$ San Francisco 49ers | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 457 | 258 | L1 |
| $^{(6)}$ Atlanta Falcons | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 362 | 349 | W1 |
| St. Louis Rams | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 309 | 418 | L3 |
| Carolina Panthers | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 289 | 325 | L1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 319 | 348 | W1 |

## Records

* Most victories by an expansion team (7)
* First expansion team to have a winning record at home (5–3)
* First expansion team to have a four-game winning streak (weeks 7–10)
* First expansion team to defeat a defending Super Bowl champion in its inaugural season (13–7 over the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco)