CHARLOTTE — The first time the Panthers played the Jets, they did something unprecedented.
They won.
That historic 1995 meeting between the teams — who meet in this year's opener — became the first win in Panthers franchise history, with the defense leading the way to a 26-15 victory at Clemson's Memorial Stadium.
So much about that day seems vintage, beginning with the man in the middle of it all.
The Panthers were trailing the 1-5 Jets throughout the first half, but Panthers middle linebacker Sam Mills picked off a Bubby Brister shovel pass, and returned it 36 yards for the score to give the Panthers a lead they'd never give back.
With their defense tightening, quarterback Kerry Collins playing efficiently, running back Vince Workman scoring a touchdown, and kicker John Kasay nailing a pair of field goals, it gave them something to celebrate after an 0-5 start.
That game was actually the start of a four-game winning streak for the expansion team, as they won seven of their final 11 to set the stage for their run to the NFC Championship Game in just their second season.
Check out the highlights of the first one, and raise your hand if you were there (the attendance was listed as 52,613, though the stadium wouldn't hold the number of people who would now swear they were there).
