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The Dallas Cowboys, who visited Ericsson Stadium for an NFC Divisional Playoff against the Carolina Panthers on January 5, 1997, were NFL royalty.
The upstart Panthers, although NFC West champions with a 12-4 record during the 1996 regular season, were in only their second season of existence.
The Cowboys were reigning Super Bowl champions with a quartet of proven superstars in quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, wide receiver Michael Irvin and cornerback Deion Sanders.
By comparison, the Panthers were a bunch of NFL nobodies.
The quarterback was Kerry Collins, in only his second year after being the fifth overall selection in the 1995 draft. He usually handed the ball off to running back Anthony Johnson, a career backup who gained 1,120 yards after Tshimanga Biakabutuka, the team's 1996 first-round draft choice, suffered a season-ending injury.
When Collins did throw it, he usually targeted tight end Wesley Walls, who led the team with 61 catches for 713 yards and 10 touchdowns. The starting wide receivers, Mark Carrier and Willie Green, were retreads by NFL standards.
So despite earning home-field advantage by virtue of their surprising division title, the Panthers were considered underdogs when the Cowboys sauntered into Charlotte with a certain amount of swagger. Dallas had just dismantled the Minnesota Vikings, 40-15, in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, while Carolina sat idle with a bye.
The Panthers, however, were unfazed.
"This is exactly the type of game that you wait all your life to play," Panthers linebacker Carlton Bailey declared. "And I can't wait to play it."
Fans felt the same way about watching it. The 7,300 single-game tickets available to those who did not have Permanent Seat License season tickets sold out in four minutes.
Adding spice to the game was Dallas head coach Barry Switzer commenting to ESPN that the Cowboys "had never traveled this far south" for a playoff game. The media wondered if Switzer knew where Charlotte was actually located, as it is actually northeast of Dallas. Several Panthers seized on the comment as a sign of disrespect, using it for additional motivation - as if any was needed.
Early in the game, Lamar Lathon - one-half of the "Salt and Pepper" linebacker duo along with Kevin Greene - slammed Irvin to the ground as he attempted to streak downfield with a catch from Aikman. Irvin's right shoulder was fractured, and he was out of the game.
"I just put a good lick on him," Lathon said. "I never meant to hurt anybody."
But with Irvin out of the game, Aikman's favorite target was gone.
Collins still had his, and he soon found Walls for a 1-yard touchdown pass that gave the Panthers a 7-3 lead midway through the first quarter. Collins followed that with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Green, who made a diving catch in the end zone to make it 14-3.
The Cowboys weren't done, of course. Aikman threw a short touchdown to fullback Daryl Johnston, and then the Panthers delivered the gift of a safety when usually reliable long-snapper Mark Rodenhauser snapped the ball over the head of punter Rohn Stark, who alertly batted the ball out of the end zone to minimize the damage.
That cut Carolina's lead to three points just three minutes before halftime. But the Panthers were able to extend it to 17-11 when John Kasay tacked on a 24-yard field goal on the last play of the half, set up by safety Chad Cota's 49-yard interception return to the Dallas 27-yard line.
In the third quarter, the teams traded field goals. Then Kasay converted another, putting the Panthers ahead 23-14 early in the fourth quarter.
Still, these were the Cowboys. Aikman had orchestrated many comebacks in his career. The lead did not seem safe.
But there also was a sense of desperation that appeared to be seeping in on the Dallas sideline. With Irvin out, Switzer decided to use the speedy Sanders at wide receiver as well as on defense. And he called for a reverse to Sanders.
It looked like a smart ploy at first, as Sanders took the ball and raced up the field unimpeded for 15 yards. But on his final step of what would be a 16-yard gain, Sanders was met head-on by a contingent of four Panthers: cornerback Tyrone Poole, nose tackle Greg Kragen, linebacker Sam Mills and Bailey.
They collectively hammered Sanders to the turf.
His tacklers immediately popped up, excitedly exchanging high fives and slaps on the backs, helmets and shoulder pads. Sanders stayed down, writhing in pain. Doctors later determined that the impact broke a small bone below Sanders' left eye. Now he was out of the game, too.
Although the Cowboys drew to within 23-17 on a field goal by kicker Chris Boniol, Aikman was missing his most dynamic receiver in Irvin, and the Dallas defense was without Sanders, who also was a dangerous kick returner.
The Panthers, circling like sharks now, delivered some brutal hits on Aikman over the final minutes and eventually secured a 26-17 win that moved them to the NFC Championship in only their second season. It was a remarkable win, one that will forever rank as one of the most memorable in franchise history.
On television that day, broadcaster John Madden could not believe what he had just witnessed.
"Who would have thought that Dallas would lose in this round and that the winner would be the Carolina Panthers?" he said on the air.
The Panthers did. And so did their fans.
Photos from Carolina's 1996 season where the Panthers won the NFC West division and advanced to the NFC Championship game.
Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Johnson (23) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Dec. 22, 1996, in in Charlotte, N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Kerry Collins (12) throws a pass under pressure during an 1996 NFC Divisional Playoff NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on January 5, 1997. The Panthers defeated the Cowboys 26-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers running back Tim Biakabutuka (21) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons Sept. 1, 1996, in Charlotte, N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Dec. 22, 1996, in in Charlotte, N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers Willie Green (86) scores a second quarter touchdown against the Cowboys in their NFL Divisional playoff at Charlotte's Ericsson Stadium Sunday Jan. 5, 1997. Cowboy Kevin Smith (26) loks on 1997. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Kevin Greene (91) walks off field in 1996 (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) cries out in celebration of the Panthers 26-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan. 5, 1997 during the NFC Divisional Playoff. (AP Photo Chuck Burton)
Dallas Cowboys qurterback Troy Aikman is sacked by Panthers' Les Miller (69) during first half action in their NFL Divisional playoff at Charlotte's Ericsson Stadium Sunday Jan. 5, 1997. Carolina defeated Dallas 26-17. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart (10) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers Dec. 22,1996, in Charlotte, N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Willie Green (86) celebrates a 10-yard scoring reception during an 1996 NFC Divisional Playoff NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on January 5, 1997. The Panthers defeated the Cowboys 26-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers Hall of Fame linebacker Kevin Greene (91) celebrates after an 1996 NFC Divisional Playoff NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on January 5, 1997. The Panthers defeated the Cowboys 26-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Johnson (23) is seen in action during an NFL game against the St. Louis Rams Oct. 13, 1996, in Charlotte, N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers head coach Dom Capers, right, and quarterback Kerry Collins, holding helmet celebrate the Panthers' 26-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Jan. 5, 1997.(AP Photo/Peter A. Harris)
Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Johnson (23) is seen in action during an NFL game against the St. Louis Rams Oct. 13, 1996, in Charlotte, N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Kevin Greene (91) looks for head coach Dom Capers to dump Gatorade on him during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 8, 1996, in San Francisco. The Panthers won the game, 30-24. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Carolina Panthers Kevin Greene (91) during a game from from his 1996 season with the Carolina Panthers. Kevin Greene played for 15 seasons, with 4 different teams, was a 5-time Pro Bowler and was inducted to the Pro Fooball Hall of Fame.(David Durochik via AP)
Carolina Panthers guard Matt Elliott (52) blocks during their NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in this Dec. 15, 1996 photo in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton,file)
An overhead panoramic view of Ericsson stadium - home of the Carolina Panthers - and the Charlotte skyline in 1996. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) drops back to pass during a 30 - 13 win over the Carolina Panthers in the 1996 NFC Championship Game on Jan. 12, 1997 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Dallas Cowboy quarterback Troy Aikman is knocked down by Carolina Panther Lamar Lathon during the 3rd quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game played at Ericsson Stadium, in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan. 5, 1997.(AP Photo/Doug Mills)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers at Candlestick Park Sunday, December 8, 1996. Panthers beat 49ers 30-24. Carolina Panthers linebacker Kevin Greene (91) tackles San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens (81). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers at Candlestick Park Sunday, December 8, 1996. Panthers beat 49ers 30-24. Carolina Panthers quarterback Kerry Collins (12). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers at Candlestick Park Sunday, December 8, 1996. Panthers beat 49ers 30-24. Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers at Candlestick Park Sunday, December 8, 1996. Panthers beat 49ers 30-24. Carolina Panthers linebacker Sam Mills (51) stops San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young (8) and causes fumble. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein throws a pass as San Francisco 49ers Dana Stubblefield leans in during first quarter action at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 22, 1996. The Panthers won 23-7. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) celebrates a touchdown catch during a 30 to 24 Carolina Panthers win over the San Francisco 49ers on December 8, 1996 at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers at Candlestick Park Sunday, December 8, 1996. Panthers beat 49ers 30-24. Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Johnson (23). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Carolina Panthers runningback Anthony Johnson (23) carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff in Charlotte, N.C. Sunday Jan. 5, 1997. The Panthers won 26-17. (AP Photo/Peter Harris)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Sam Mills, front, celebrates with teammate Matt Elliott after his interception in the final moments of the Panthers' 26-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Jan. 5, 1997.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers at Candlestick Park Sunday, December 8, 1996. Panthers beat 49ers 30-24. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice (80). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers at Candlestick Park Sunday, December 8, 1996. Panthers beat 49ers 30-24. Carolina Panthers wide receiver Willie Green (86). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Carolina Panthers' quarterback Kerry Collins passes in front of San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Bryant Young in the second quarter Sunday, December 8, 1996 at San Francisco's 3 Com Park. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)
Carolina Panther center Bucky Greeley (68) runs onto the field along with his teamates just prior to the start of the first game at Ericsson Stadium, the new home of the Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 3, 1996, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Peter A. Harris)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers at Candlestick Park Sunday, December 8, 1996. Panthers beat 49ers 30-24. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young (8) passes under pressure. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Johnson (23) rushes as New Orleans Saints defensive end Brady Smith (91) is in pursuit during second quarter action at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 20, 1996. Johnson helped the Panthers to a 19-7 win with 123 yards rushing. (AP Photo/Peter A. Harris)
