2003 Carolina Panthers season
| 2003 Carolina Panthers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | John Fox |
| General manager | Marty Hurney |
| Owner | Jerry Richardson |
| Home field | Bank of America Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 11–5 |
| Division place | 1st NFC South |
| Playoff finish |
Won Wild Card Playoffs (Cowboys) 29–10 Won Divisional Playoffs (at Rams) 29–23 (2OT) Won NFC Championship (at Eagles) 14–3 Lost Super Bowl XXXVIII (vs. Patriots) 29–32 |
The 2003 Carolina Panthers season was the ninth season for the team in the National Football League. They improved on their 7–9 record from 2002, and made it to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.
The season would be a huge success. The Panthers would go a surprising 11–5 to earn the #3 seat in the NFC Playoffs. They would defeat the Dallas Cowboys 29–10 in the Wild Card playoffs. The next week in St. Louis, the game would go to double overtime and on the first play of the second overtime, Steve Smith caught a pass by Jake Delhomme and took it 69 yards into the endzone to put an end to the game.
In the Conference Championship game, the Panthers traveled to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to play the Eagles who were in their 3rd straight conference championship game, but had yet to win one. The Panthers would continue the story with a 14–3 victory, which was dominated by Ricky Manning's three interceptions that kept the Eagles at bay.
The Panthers, for the first time in franchise history, advanced to the Super Bowl, but lost 32-29 to the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots.
The Cowboys' turnaround season under coach Bill Parcells came to a crashing halt. The Panthers outgained the Cowboys in total yards 380–204 and held the ball for 34:23. Dallas Quarterback Quincy Carter threw for only 154 yards and an interception, while being sacked 3 times. Meanwhile, Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme threw for 273 yards and a touchdown to Steve Smith, who had five receptions for 135 yards and added 22 return yards on special teams. Stephen Davis ran for 104 yards and another touchdown, while Muhsin Muhammad caught four passes for 103 yards. John Kasay kicked five field goals for Carolina.
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