Despite an 11-5 regular-season record and a shutout win on the road over the New York Giants in the NFC Wild Card, few people gave the Panthers much of a chance when they ventured to Chicago to face the Bears in an NFC Divisional Playoff on Jan. 15, 2006.
And why would they? The two teams had met at the same venue, Chicago's famed Soldier Field, not even two months earlier, and the Bears had posted a dominant 13-3 victory. Chicago's defense, which gave up a league-low 12.9 points per game in the regular season and a total of only 61 points in eight home games, had sacked quarterback Jake Delhomme eight times.
"We played them in November, and I played poorly. The whole team did. We couldn't run it; we couldn't throw it. I kept getting sacked. And they were on that day. They were extremely good," Delhomme said.
But what happened in November didn't matter in January. Or if it did, Delhomme thought it actually was to the Panthers' advantage.
"We went in there, and it was probably a blessing that we had lost to them in November because they probably thought they were going to be able to handle us pretty easily," Delhomme said. "And we went in there and jumped on them from the get-go, and we never let up."
What eventually became a 29-21 victory for Carolina began and ended with Delhomme throwing the ball to wide receiver Steve Smith.
View photos of the best of the Panthers in the 2005 season, a year where Carolina advanced to the NFC Championship game.
Field judge Steve Zimmer watches as Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith gets around Chicago Bears' Mike Brown after catching a 58-yard pass by Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme to score a touchdown in the first quarter of their NFC divisional playoff football game in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Todd Bouman hits the ground after passing the ball while under pressure by Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Jordan Carstens in the third quarter during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Paul Rutherford)
Carolina Pathers DeShaun Foster spins away from New York Giants defenders Nick Greisen, left, Osi Umenyiora (72) and Will Allen during the first quarter in NFL football action Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 in East Rutherford, N.J. Foster rushed for 151 yards in the Panthers' 23-0 win. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Carolina Panthers' receiver Steve Smith (89) scores on a 20-yard touchdown run in spite of the push from New Orleans Saints' safety Josh Bullocks (29) as side judge Doug Toole (4) keeps an eye on the play in their NFL football game during the 1st half at LSU's Tiger Stadium Sunday Dec. 18, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La.. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) beats Tampa Bay Buccanners cornerback Ronde Barber to the end zone to score on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Buffalo Bills running back Willis McGahee (21) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Ricky Manning Jr. (24) and Chris Draft (52) in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. A year after producing 36 offensive touchdowns, the Bills have managed a mere 14 this season. Buffalo's offense ranks 30th overall. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
New York Jets' quarterback Brooks Bollinger (5) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Kendal Moorehead, center, as Jets' Scott Gragg (74) grabs Moorehead during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Nov. 13, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Ken Lucas, right, breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald during the fourth quarter Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Panthers won 24-20. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
FOR USE AS DESIRED WITH YEAREND STORIES -- FILE -- Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick (7) is sacked by Carolina Panthers players Will Witherspoon (54) and Michael Rucker (93) during the second quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Michael Gaines (84) celebrates his touchdown reception in the end zone during the second half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The Panthers won, 13-9.(AP Photo/Don Heupel)
FILE Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) is knocked out-of-bounds by New England Patriots' Matt Light (72) after Peppers recovered a fumble during the third quarter of the Panthers' 27-17 win in Charlotte, N.C. in a Sunday Sept. 18, 2005 photo. Fed up with criticism over its lackluster play, Carolina's defensive line set out to prove it is still among the most dominant in the NFL even without Pro Bowl tackle Kris Jenkins. (AP Photo/Rick Havner, file)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (47) during the second quarter in Charlotte, N.C. Sunday Sept. 18, 2005. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Ricky Proehl (81) catches a touchdown pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Dexter Jackson (34) defends during the fourth quarter of the Buccaneers' 20-10 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith runs into the end zone after catching a 58-yard pass by Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme to score a touch down in the first quarter of their NFC divisional playoff football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith (89) gets by New Orleans Saints cornerback Fred Thomas on his way to a 15-yard, third-quarter touchdown during an NFL football game in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Paul Rutherford)
New Orleans Saints defenders Johnathan Sullivan, left, and Brian Young (66) pursue Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) during the first half of an NFL football game at LSU's Tiger Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers' linebacker Dan Morgan (55) hits New Orleans Saints' Antowain Smith (32) on a pass play as Panthers' defensive end Al Wallace, lower left, keeps his eyes on the ball to make the interception flat on his back in their NFL football game during the 1st half at LSU's Tiger Stadium Sunday Dec. 18, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) celebrates while leaving the field after defeating the New Orleans Saints' 27-10 in an NFL football game at LSU's Tiger Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) scrambles between Tampa Bay Buccaneers players Rhone Barber (20) and Shelton Quarles (53) during the second quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 11, 2005. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
FILE Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs as Atlanta Falcons' DeAngelo Hall (21) closes in during their NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., in a Sunday Dec. 4, 2005 photo. Tedy Bruschi didn't get a chance to tackle Steve Smith when the Patriots played the Panthers in September. By midseason, he'd made a remarkable comeback from a stroke and was starting for New England. His return was as impressive as Smith's achievement of returning from a knee injury that cost the Carolina receiver nearly all of the 2004 season. On Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, they shared The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, file)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (7) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 24-6 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Will Witherspoon (54) returns an interception for a touchdown as he is chased by New York Jets' Doug Jolly (88) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 30-3 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Nov. 13, 2005. The Panthers forced six turnovers, four of which came on consecutive New York possessions, to pull away after an uneventful first half. Carolina scored 20 points off turnovers. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter signals a turnover after causing Detroit Lions wide receiver Mike Williams to fumble during the third quarter in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. The Panthers won 21-20. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington is brought down by Carolina Panthers defensive end Al Wallace in the fourth quarter in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. Harrington finished 17-of-28 for 201 yards with an interception and two fumbles in the Lions' 21-20 loss. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Jets' Justin Miller (22) fumbles a kickoff return as he is hit by Carolina Panthers' Ricky Manning Jr (24) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 30-3 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Nov. 13, 2005. The Panthers forced six turnovers, four of which came on consecutive New York possessions, to pull away after an uneventful first half. Carolina scored 20 points off turnovers.(AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ricky Proehl (81) shushes the crowd as he celebrates his game-tying, 3-yard touchdown reception with tackle Jordan Gross in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, in Detroit. The extra point gave the Panthers a 21-20 win. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
FILE Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) slips away from Miami Dolphins' Travis Daniels (21) on his way to the endzone for his third touchdown of the day during the fourth quarter at Dolphins Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Miami. Coming off the best game of his career, Smith is ready to prove he has taken his game to the next level. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Carolina Panthers' Stephen Davis (48) runs through New England Patriots players Chad Brown (98) and Matt Chatham (58) for his third touchdown of the game during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 27-17 win in Charlotte, N.C. Sunday Sept. 18, 2005. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is pushed out of bounds at the 4-yard line as Arizona Cardinals' David Macklin (27) helps defend during the fourth quarter Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Panthers won 24-20. (AP Photo/Roy Dabner)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) calls out at the line during their NFC wild card playoff football game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006. The Panthers take on the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 22 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Carolina Panthers Ken Lucas, left, and Chris Gamble celebrate after Lucas' interception on a pass by Chicago Bears' quarterback Rex Grossman in the fourth quarter of their NFC divisional playoff football game in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. The Panthers defeated the Bears, 29-21, and will play the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC conference championship. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Carolina Panthers safety Marlon McCree reacts after intercepting a pass in the third quarter against the New York Giants during NFL football action Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Panthers won 23-0. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Carolina Panthers' Ricky Proehl (81) runs past Dallas Cowboys' Keith Davis (29) for a 69-yard gain during the first quarter in their NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday Dec. 24, 2005. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman is hit by Carolina Panthers' Michael Rucker after Grossman threw a pass to Justin Gage in the first quarter of their NFC divisional playoff football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. Gage later fumbled the ball which was recovered by the Panthers but the play reversed after a challenge. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Carolina Panthers running back Stephen Davis (48) and quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) celebrate Davis' first quarter touchdown run against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday afternoon Nov. 6, 2005, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Buffalo Bills quarterback J. P. Losman is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Jordan Carstens (67) during the first half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Carolina Panthers tackle Jordan Gross celebrates with quarterback Jake Delhomme after he rushed for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter during their NFL football game in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005. (AP Photo/Paul Rutherford)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe (11) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) during the fourth quarter of the Cowboys' 24-20 win in their NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday Dec. 24, 2005. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) throws a pass under pressure during the first quarter against the New York Jets in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Nov. 13, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (26) celebrates after a touchdown past Atlanta Falcons' DeAngelo Hall (21) during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Stephen Davis (48) celebrates his one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 30-3 win over the New York Jets in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Nov. 13, 2005.(AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme throws during the second half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The Panthers won, 13-9. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Carolina Panthers' Stephen Davis (48) runs past New York Jets' Shaun Ellis (92) during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Nov. 13, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers receiver Keary Colbert (83), defended by Detroit Lions cornerback Andre Goodman (35) pulls in a pass for 42 yards, at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Just 55 seconds into the game, Delhomme found the streaking Smith for a 58-yard touchdown that gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead they would never relinquish. Delhomme remembers it clearly to this day.
"Steve ran down the right sideline, right past (cornerback) Charles Tillman and then Mike Brown, who was the safety. He made him miss," Delhomme said.
Although the Panthers never trailed, the Bears had pulled to within 16-14 when Delhomme connected with Smith for another touchdown, this time from 39 yards, to extend the lead to 23-14 just before the end of the third quarter.
"They had some kind of mix-up and they ended up having a young guy covering Steve, and I was able to get a check-off and set a go route," Delhomme said. "Steve just ran right past the guy, really put the burners on and took off, and we scored again. That's when Steve jumped on the goalpost and kind of slid down it like he was a fireman or something."
When the day was over, Smith had produced 12 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns. The performance - one of the best in NFL playoff history - followed a regular season in which he led the NFL with 1,563 receiving yards, one year after breaking his leg in the 2004 season opener versus Green Bay.
"I'm really just utilizing my talents," Smith said. "They throw me the ball, it's my job to catch it. If I don't catch the ball, they will get somebody in here who will. I've got people at home depending on me to do my job, so I can't come home with excuses."
Head coach John Fox said, "He (Smith) is as tough a competitor as you can find at any position. He does well home or away."
The Panthers won despite losing running back DeShaun Foster, a key offensive weapon, when he suffered a broken leg during the game that sidelined him for the rest of the playoffs.
"And DeShaun was having a fantastic second half of the season," Delhomme said. "But DeShaun breaks his leg, and we were still able to get after them and keep them where they were playing from behind. To be honest, their offense really wasn't that great. And on defense, they couldn't really run their typical cover-2 type scheme. They had to play man-to-man, and we were really able to get after them and close the deal."
Delhomme completed 24-of-33 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns - also throwing a 1-yard touchdown to tight end Kris Mangum - with one interception to generate a quarterback rating of 120.6. The offensive line provided excellent protection, surrendering only one sack.
The defense also played well, allowing the Bears to convert only three-of-13 third-down opportunities. Linebacker Dan Morgan led Carolina with nine tackles, defensive tackle Jordan Carstens collected a sack and cornerback Ken Lucas had an interception.
"That was, honestly, one of the top wins of my career personally, going into Chicago, Soldier Field, (with) all the mystique and the cold weather in the second round of the playoffs. That was the NFL," said Delhomme, who directed the Panthers to their second NFC Championship game in three years against Seattle. "They were the No. 1 seed (in the NFC), had gone 13-3 in the regular season and beaten us earlier. Winning that game was just huge.
"We were just on that day. We played a lot better than we had against them in November. It was just one of those days. We were able to get after them right away, and I think we shocked them, the way we jumped on them early. Then we just didn't stop. We were the hammer and not the nail that day, and I think it was vice versa the first time we had played them.
"It's certainly one of the games in my career that I will never forget."
