15. 1996 CAROLINA PANTHERS at 2. 1998 MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2. 1998 MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Record: 15-1
Pythag: 13-3
Off: 1st
Def: 6th
1st NFC Central
d. Cards Div Rnd 41-21
Lost NFC Title Falcons 30-27
HC Dennis Green OC Brian Billick DC Foge Fazio
HHH Metrodome
Dan Rowe
Offense
QB Randall Cunningham 35 UNLV All Pro
RB Robert Smith 26 Ohio St
WR Cris Carter 33 Ohio St
WR Robert Moss 21 Marshall All Pro
WR Jake Reed 31 Grambling
TE Andrew Glover 31 Grambling
LT Todd Steussie 28 Cal
LG Randall McDaniel 34 Arizona St All Pro
C Jeff Christy 29 Pitt
RG David Dixon 29 Arizona St
RT Korey Stringer 24 Ohio St
Defense
LDE Derrick Alexander 25 Florida St
LDT Jerrry Ball 34 SMU
RDT Tony Williams 23 Memphis
RDE John Randle All Pro 31 A&M Kings
LLB Dixon Edwards 30 Mich St
MLB Ed McDaniel 29 Clemson
RLB Dwayne Rudd 22 Alabama
LCB Corey Fuller 27 Florida St
RCB Jimmy Hitchcock 28 UNC
SS Robert Griffith 28 S Diego St
FS Orlando Thomas 26 Louisiana
K Gary Anderson All Pro 39 Syracuse
P Mitch Berger 26 Colorado
KR/PR David Palmer 26 Alabama
One more game left to close out the first half of round 1. The '98 Vikes are the 25th overall seed in the tournament, best offense in football. 35 year old All Pro Randall Cunningham had 35 scores, 10 picks. 26 year old Robert Smith had nearly 1500 yards from scrimmage, the 21 year old rookie All Pro, Randy Moss, combined with 33 year old Cris Carter for 29 scores. 34 year old Randall McDaniel was also an All Pro. The defense was ranked 6th, 31 year old All Pro John Randle had 10.5 sacks, 25 year old Derrick Alexander and 29 year old Ed McDaniel combined for 14.5 sacks. 28 year old Jimmy Hitchcock had 7 picks.
15. 1996 CAROLINA PANTHERS
Pythag: 12-4
Off: 7th
Def: 2nd
d. Cowboys Div Rnd 26-17
Lost NFC Title Packers 30-13
HC Dom Capers OC Joe Pendry DC Vic Fangio
Offense
QB Kerry Collins 24 Penn St
RB Anthony Johnson 29 N Dame
FB Howard Griffith 29 Illinois
WR Mark Carrier 31 Nicholls
WR Willie Green 30 Ole Miss
TE Wesley Walls 30 Ole Miss
LT Blake Brockermeyer 23 Texas
LG Matt Elliott 28 Mich
C Curtis Whitley 27 Clemson
RG Greg Skrepenak 26 Mich
RT Norbert Davidds Garrido R
Defense
LDE Mike Fox 29 W Virginia
NT Greg Kragen 34 Utah St
RDE Gerald Williams 33 Auburn
LOLB Kevin Greene All Pro 34 Auburn
LILB Sam Mills All Pro 37 Montclair
RILB Carlton Bailey 32 UNC
ROLB Lamar Lathon 29 Houston
LCB Eric Davis 28 Jack St
RCB Tyrone Poole 24 F Valley St
SS Brett Maxie 34 Tex So.
FS Pat Terrell 28 N Dame
K John Kasay 27 UGA
P Rohn Stark 37 Florida St
KR Michael Bates All Pro 27 Arizona
PR Winslow Oliver 23 N Mexico
The Panthers are here on the strength of the 2nd best defense from 1996; 34 year old Kevin Greene is an All Pro with 14.5 sacks. Next to him is 37 year old Sam Mills, also an All Pro, with 5.5 sacks - and another member of the linebacker quartet, Lamar Lathon, had 13.5 sacks. 24 year old Kerry Collins is the QB, 14 scores and 9 picks. 10 TDs for 30 year old Wesley Walls.
We close out Region 8 - which means we close out the first half of Round 1 - let's go to Minnesota for the kick.
1st Qtr
Vikes start at the 24.
1/10 - Robert Smith with the carry to open the game, stopped cold.
2/10 - Smith again, he gets a dozen yards.
Thats as far as it goes, and when Randall Cunningham eats a Kevin Greene sack, the Vikes have to punt.
Panthers at their own 39.
1/10 - Kerry Collins hits Willie Green on the opening play for 15, across midfield.
And that's all - Panthers punt - Vikes to start at the 11.
They get 1 first down. Cunningham 16 yards to Andrew Glover -- the drive ends there -- Winslow Oliver with the big return - all the way down to the Viking 21.
1/10 - Collins over the middle to Wesley Walls, 9 yards.
2/2 - Collins quick out to Mark Carrier, he's at the sticks, first down and goal at the 9.
1/goal - Anthony Johnson goes for 6 to the 3.
2/goal - Collins is plowed over by John Randle - 3rd and goal from the 8.
3/goal - Collins - backshoulder to Rocket Ismail in the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS - Rocket Ismail with the 8 yard TD reception from Kerry Collins and the Panthers go up 7-0.
Vikes at the 18.
1/10 - Leroy Hoard gets a yard.
2/9 - Cunningham, to Hoard in the flat, he bulldozes for 8.
3/1 - Cunningham short over the middle to Smith, Smith outruns the defense for 10 and the first.
1/10 - Hoard nothing.
2/10 - Cunningham has to scramble -- pulls it down and gains 14 yards, Vikes across midfield as the qtr ends.
2nd Qtr: Panthers 7 Vikings 0
Big Panther punt return the key play, it's 7-0. Vikes first and ten at the Panther 49.
1/10 - Cunningham loads up -- right down the middle of the field -- Andrew Glover --- He's Got it - and He is Into the EndZone -- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS -- Cunningham with the 49 yard strike to Glover and we are tied.
Panthers start at the 23.
3 and out. Vikes to start at their own 47.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Hoard gets 2.
3/8 - Cunningham finds Cris Carter - his first reception of the day, 10 yards and the first down.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Here's Robert Smith - 14 yards to the 27.
1/10 - Another Kevin Greene sack, big 8 yard loss.
2/18 - Smith gets 2.
3/10 -- Cunningham -- Cunningham up top -- There's Carter -- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS - Randall Cunningham floats a 33 yard ball to Cris Carter - all he does is catch touchdowns - it's 14-7.
Panthers at the 30.
3 and out. Vikes at the 32.
1/10 - Lamar Lathon sacks Cunningham, 3 sacks now for Carolina.
2/16- Smith for 1
3/15 - Cunningham -- downfield -- Cris Carter for 26, Vikes across midfield.
1/10 - Smith for 2
2/8 - Cunningham - he finds Randy Moss, his first catch of the day - 22 yards all the way to the 23 yard line.
That's it - Carolina gets its 4th sack, Lathon with his second, Gary Anderson hits the long FG, with 2 minutes left in the half it's 17-7.
Panthers at the 34.
Carolina gets its first first down since their TD drive, Collins 10 yards to Carrier - but thats it and with a minute left, Vikes get the ball back at the 29.
1/10 - Cunningham to Carter, 8 yards and out of bounds.
2/2 - Cunningham - flips to Robert Smith -- and he's got running room -- 27 yards - there's 32 seconds left, Vikes use their second timeout at the Panther 36 yard line.
1/10 - Cunningham to Jake Reed, his first catch, 7 yards and out of bounds.
2/3 - Cunningham to Leroy Hoard - he's got the first down at the 25, Vikes stop the clock with 12 seconds left.
That's it - Cunningham takes the endzone shot - incomplete -- Anderson kicks another FG at the whistle - we go into the locker room.
3rd Qtr: Vikings 20 Panthers 7
-That's the Viking team we expected, they blitz Carolina with 20 points in the qtr, Panthers can't do anything on offense and there's a real uphill climb now.
Panthers start all the way at the 43.
1/10 - Anthony Johnson gets 11, Panthers in Viking territory.
1/10 - Nothing for Johnson
2/10 - Collins to Willie Green -- 16 yards and the Panthers are at the 30.
1/10 - Collins looking endzone -- Green --- Intercepted by Jimmy Hitchcock - Hitchcock brings it out -- Hitchcock down at the 29 yard line -- big play there by the Viking defense, they turn the Panthers away.
1/10 - Cunningham - Moss -- Picked Off by Eric Davis - Davis steps in front of Moss and picks off Cunningham - Panthers at the Viking 43.
1/10 - Collins to Muhsin Muhammad, that's 13 yards to the Viking 30 - Panthers in business again.
The drive ends here - John Kasay with the FG to cut the deficit to 10.
Vikes at the 32.
1/10 - Robert Smith gets 5.
2/5 - Smith gets 8.
1/10 - Cunningham to Moss - 16 yards to the Panther 39.
1/10 - Cunningham to Moss - 12 yards and Minnesota is at the 27.
1/10 - Cunningham over the mid -- PICKED OFF by Sam Mills -- the Panthers with their second interception to go with 4 sacks and they have the ball at their own 34, down 10.
1/10- Incomplete
2/10 - Howard Griffith pounds away for 17
1/10 - Winslow Oliver gets 24 yards -- big gainers now for the Panthers and they are at the 25 yard line.
1/10 - Collins to Muhammad -- 13 yards and now Carolina has a first and goal.
But that's all - they settle for the short FG and it's 20-13.
Vikes at the 26.
1/10 - Cunningham 13 to Glover.
1/10 - Smith gets 3 as the qtr ends
4th Qtr Vikings 20 Panthers 13
15 more minutes of football to close out the top half of region one. Panthers chipping away at that lead on the backs of 2 INTs. Vikes with a second and 7 at the 42.
1/10 - Cunningham to Moss, first down.
1/10 - Smith gets 13 yards, Vikes at the 37.
1/10 - Hoard gets 6.
2/4 - Cunningham 16 to Moss -- Vikes at the 15 yard line.
1/10 - Smith -- Smith breaks a tackle and Smith is gonna go into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS - and that might be the dagger - Vikes go up 27-13 with a little more than 12 minutes left to go in the game.
Panthers at the 15.
1/10 - Johnson busts one, 39 yards and Carolina crosses midfield.
1/10 - Collins to Green - a dozen yards - Panthers to the 34.
That's it -- Panthers will miss a long FG, with a little more than 9 left in the game, Minnesota has the ball at their own 38 and a 2 score lead.
1/10 - Robert Smith busts one -- 58 yards through the heart of the defense -- Smith dragged down at the 4 yard line - Vikes with a first and goal to go.
They can't cash in - they settle for the FG, it's 30-13, 7 minutes left.
Panthers good return, Michael Bates was an All Pro and he gets to midfield.
1/10 - Collins to Walls, 13 yards to the 37.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Incomplete
3/10 - Collins - Deep Middle -- Muhammad - Caught - Caught - Mushin Muhammad will go into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS - in less than 2 minutes, Carolina cuts the deficit to 30-20.
Vikes start at the 35. Panthers need a quick stop.
They get it. 3 and out. There's about minutes left in the game and after the punt, Panthers start at the 30.
1/10 - Collins, 8 yards to Walls.
2/2 - Derrick Alexander sacks Collins -- Panthers have to burn their first timeout. 3rd and long.
3/10 - Collins - in trouble -- Collins - Collins flips it out to Johnson, he gets 6, it's 4th and 4 at their own 36.
4/4 - Collins --- Looking Downfield -- Collins looking for the big strike --- CAUGHT BY MARK CARRIER -- And He Is Gonna Go! Mark Carrier 64 yards to the House on 4th and 4! Collins to Carrier -- Collins to Carrier -- TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS - and with a little more than 2 minutes left to play in the game, it's now Vikings 30 Panthers 27.
Panthers to attempt the onside kick....
....and the Vikings recover.
That's gonna be it -- the Vikings keep the ball on the ground, get 2 first downs, it ends the game.
Final: Vikings 30 Panthers 27
The 2nd seeds in the region advance - Vikes hold on.
Cunningham: 18 for 26, 293 yds, 2 TD/2 INT
Collins: 14 for 28, 220 yds, 3 TD/1 INT
Smith: 19 carries, 163 yds, 1 TD
Johnson: 18 carries, 71 yds
Carter: 4 catches, 77 yds, 1 TD
Carrier: 3 catches, 64, 1 TD
Greene/Lathon: 2 sacks
Player of the Game: Robert Smith
Player of the Region: Dan Marino
Round Two:
Region One:
1. 2007 Patriots v. 9. 2015 Chiefs
4. 2002 Bucs v. 12. 2014 Packers
3. 1967 Raiders v. 11. 1975 Dolphins
2. 2019 Ravens v. 7. 2012 49ers
Region Two:
1. 1985 Bears v. 9. 2007 Chargers
4. 1968 Chiefs v. 5. 2015 Seahawks
3. 1997 Broncos v. 6. 2006 Patriots
2. 1993 Cowboys v. 7. 1998 Falcons
Region Three:
1. 1996 Packers v. 9. 1987 Browns
4. 1999 Rams v. 12. 2019 Saints
3. 1978 Cowboys v. 6. 1954 Lions
2. 1970 Vikings v. 10. 1960 Browns
Region Four:
1. 1991 Redskins v. 9. 2016 Falcons
4. 1978 Steelers v. 12. 2021 Rams
6. 1970 Lions v. 14. 2007 Cowboys
10. 2015 Broncos v. 15. 1976 Colts
Region Five:
1. 1962 Packers v. 8. 2014 Broncos
12. 2000 Titans v. 13. 2008 Eagles
3. 1971 Cowboys v. 6. 2004 Colts
7. 1962 Lions v. 15. 1995 Chiefs
Region Six:
1. 1968 Colts v. 8. 2020 Saints
4. 1953 Browns v. 12. 1982 Dolphins
3. 1986 Giants v. 6. 1994 Cowboys
2. 2014 Patriots v. 7. 2002 Raiders
Region Seven:
1. 1975 Steelers v. 8. 1968 Jets
4. 1967 Rams v. 12. 1996 49ers
3. 1961 Packers v. 11. 2005 Seahawks
7. 1979 Chargers v. 15. 1951 Giants
Region Eight:
1. 2004 Patriots v. 9. 1993 49ers
4. 1984 Dolphins v. 12. 1988 Vikings
3. 1955 Browns v. 6. 2005 Broncos
2. 1998 Vikings v. 7. 1997 Packers
