1996 Carolina Panthers
1996 National Football Conference Champions!
Building A Winner In Carolina
Head coach Dom Capers and his Panthers struggled through the 1995 season as an expansion franchise. Like most expansion teams, the team lacked cohesiveness and went through many roster changes during the season. In spite of the turnover, the Panthers did finish 7-9.
The Panthers brought in some key free agents after the season such as linebacker Kevin Greene , tight end Wesley Walls, wide receiver Rocket Ismail, cornerbacks Toi Cook and Eric Davis. Each of these players played key roles on a 1996 squad that even exceeded expectations of Panther fans that wear rose-colored glasses on a full time basis.
The 1996 season began with a home date against Atlanta, a playoff team in 1995. The Panthers rolled over the Falcons 29-6 and the wins kept coming. They would also beat the Saints in New Orleans 22-20. The bye week gave the Panthers an extra week to prepare for the 4-time defending division champs from San Francisco. The Panthers shocked the football world by beating the 49ers with ease, 23-7. The Panthers went to Jacksonville to play their fellow expansion counterparts, but the Jags prevailed 24-14 in J'ville. The Panthers traveled to Minnesota the following week and lost once again, 14-12. The Panthers continued their undefeated run through the division with wins against the Rams and Saints to lift their record to 5-2 overall and 5-0 against division foes. The Panthers traveled to Philadelphia and lost 20-9 and the Falcons got their revenge the following week with a 20-17 win. With the Panthers sitting at 5-4, they were losing the momentum they had gained early on and they needed to get it back.
The Panthers would play the Giants at home and they would run their home record to 5-0 with a 27-17 victory. The Panthers earned a season sweep of the Rams after winning 20-10 in St. Louis. The Panthers would win their next two contests with ease, 31-6 and 24-0 over the Oilers and Bucs, respectively. The 49ers were looking to avenge their loss to Carolina early in the season, but were unsuccessful as the Panthers prevailed 30-24 by the bay. The Panthers defeated AFC foes Baltimore and defending conference champ. Pittsburgh in the final two regular season contests. The Panthers were on a tear at the close of the regular season as they registered 7 straight wins. They finished 8-0 at home, 7-1 against NFC West opponents, and won their first division title in just their second season of existence.
The Panthers had a conservative approach on offense led by sophomore QB Kerry Collins. Collins improved dramatically in '96 with a 56% completion percentage, 2454 yards, 14 TD's, 9 int's, and a 79.4 passer rating. Wesley Walls was Collins' top target as he caught 61 passes for 713 yards and 10 TD's. Mark Carrier was the top wideout with 58 catches for 808 yards, and 6 TD's. Willie Green added 48 catches for 614 and 3 scores and rookie Muhsin Muhammad showed much promise with his 25 catches for 407 yards and a score. Anthony Johnson emerged as the team's top rusher with 1,120 rushing yards, 6 TD's on 3.7 yards / carry. The Panthers had a young offensive line led by guard Greg Skrepanek, center Matt Elliott, and tackle Blake Brockermeyer. Collins and Walls represented the NFC in the Pro Bowl.
The Panthers had earned a reputation as a top notch defense after their initial campaign and they remained great in 1996. The linebackers are the heart and soul of this defense and each starter went to the Pro Bowl. Sam Mills had an other great season as he led the team 122 tackles. He also sacked the QB 5.5 times, recovered 2 fumbles, and intercepted a pass. Kevin Greene led the team with 14.5 sacks and Lamar Lathon finished second to Greene with 13.5 sacks and added 77 tackles. The defensive line was not flashy but they tied up enemy offensive lines in order to free up the linebackers. Gerald Williams registered 49 tackles, while Greg Kragen made 48 stops and had 3 sacks. Defensive end Mike Fox had 28 tackles and 2 sacks. Tyrone Poole led the Panthers' secondary with 68 tackles, while Pat Terrell and Eric Davis made 60 stops each. Davis and Chad Cota led the team with 5 interceptions each and both made the Pro Bowl. Kicker Jon Kasay was a great offensive weapon as he made 10 field goals of over 40 yards, 3 of those were over 50. He made 37 of 45 attempts overall and finished with 145 points. Kick returner Michael Bates was the NFC special teams representative in the Pro Bowl after returning kickoffs for a 30.2 yard average in 1996.
The Panthers opened the playoffs in the Divisonal Playoff round with a home game against the defending Super Bowl Champion Cowboys. The Carolina defense came to play as they frustrated Dallas QB Troy Aikman, who completed just half of his 36 passes and threw 3 interceptions. Anthony Johnson outgained Emmitt Smith on the ground 104 to 80 and Kerry Collins was efficient as the Panthers advanced to the NFC Title game with a 26-17 win. The NFC Championship game against Green Bay was in played in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, literally. The gametime temperature was 3 degrees. The Packers scored on their opening drive, a 7:52 drive culminated with an Andre Rison TD catch. Carolina's first offensive play resulted in a Tyrone Williams interception. It was that kind of day for Carolina. Green Bay's running game flourished as they ran all over the vaunted Carolina defense to the tune of 201 yards. This dark day did not spoil an otherwise great season for the Panthers.
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Head Coach: Dom Capers
Points Scored: 367 (7th out of 30 NFL teams)
Points Allowed: 218 (2nd out of 30 NFL teams)
Home Stadium: Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, NC
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Outside linebacker Kevin Greene arrived to Carolina in the offseason from Pittsburgh and he led the Panthers with 14.5 sacks in 1996.
Halfback Anthony Johnson had a career year as he led the Panthers with 1,120 yards rushing and he ran for 6 TD's in 1996.
1996 Record: 12-4 (Regular Season), 1-1 (Playoffs)
Head Coach: Dom Capers
Points Scored: 367 (7th out of 30 NFL teams)
Points Allowed: 218 (2nd out of 30 NFL teams)
Home Stadium: Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, NC
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1996 Results
Regular Season
Date Opponent Result
9/ 1/96 Atlanta W 29- 6
9/ 8/96 at New Orleans W 22-20
9/15/96 Bye Week
9/22/96 San Francisco W 23- 7
9/29/96 at Jacksonville L 14-24
10/ 6/96 at Minnesota L 12-14
10/13/96 St. Louis W 45-13
10/20/96 New Orleans W 19- 7
10/27/96 at Philadelphia L 9-20
11/ 3/96 at Atlanta L 17-20
11/10/96 N.Y. Giants W 27-17
11/17/96 at St. Louis W 20-10
11/24/96 at Houston W 31- 6
12/ 1/96 Tampa Bay W 24- 0
12/ 8/96 at San Francisco W 30-24
12/15/96 Baltimore W 27-16
12/22/96 Pittsburgh W 18-14
Playoffs
Round Opponent Result
NFC Div. Playoff Dallas W 26-17
NFC Championship at Green Bay L 13-30
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1996 Carolina Panthers Depth Chart / Roster:
# Player Ht Wt Age Exp College Face Shape Hair Equipment
Quarterbacks
1. 12 Kerry Collins 6-5 240 23 1 Penn State 20 5 brn crop 3 bar rb, wt wristbands, wt sleeves
2. 7 Steve Beuerlein 6-3 220 31 8 Notre Dame 58 12 brn crop 3 bar, wt wristbands, left wt elbowpad (turf)
3. 11 Jay Barker 6-3 220 24 2 Alabama 92 3 brn crop 3 bar, right wt wristband, left qb wristband
Halfbacks
1. 23 Anthony Johnson 6-0 225 29 6 Notre Dame 218 2 blk fade 2 bar rb, dk visor, wt elbowpads, wt gloves, bk elbowpads (turf), wt wristbands (turf)
2. 21 Tim Biakabutuka 6-0 210 22 R Michigan 72 7 blk fade style 3 helmet, 3 bar rb, wt nasal strip, wt elbowpads, wt wristbands, rubber pads (turf)
3. n/a (switch position to WR - use as Bates)
# 20 Winslow Oliver 5-7 180 23 1 New Mexico 3 blk crop 3 bar, wt wristbands, bk gloves, wt elbowpads (turf), wt gloves (turf)
# 32 Dino Philyaw 5-10 199 26 1 Oregon 147 9 blk flat top 3 bar rb, wt wristbands, bk gloves
Fullbacks
1. 30 Howard Griffith 6-0 240 29 3 Illinois 156 4 blk bald style 3 helmet, 3 bar rb, bk gloves, wt sleeves, rubber pads (turf)
2. 43 Scott Greene 5-11 225 24 R Michigan St. 6 6 brn balding half cage, bk mouthpiece, wt wristbands, wt gloves
Wide Receivers
1. 83 Mark Carrier 6-0 186 31 9 N/A 64 10 blk fade 3 bar, wt nasal strip, right rubber pad, wt wristbands, bk gloves
2. 86 Willie Green 6-4 185 30 6 Ole Miss 162 7 blk bald 3 bar, wt nasal strip, wt wristbands, bk gloves, wt elbowpads (turf), wt gloves (turf)
3. 87 Muhsin Muhammad 6-2 217 23 R Michigan St, 183 4 blk fade (2) left patch6 tattoo, 3 bar rb, wt wristbands, wt sleeves. wt elbowpads (turf), wt gloves (turf)
4. 81 Raghib Ismail 5-11 175 27 3 Notre Dame 223 3 blk rows 3 bar rb, wt mouthpiece, fingers taped, wt sleeves, turf tape (turf)
5. n/a (switch position to HB - use as Oliver)
# 82 Michael Bates 5-10 189 26 3 Arizona 56 8 blk fade 3 bar, wt wristbands, bk gloves (grass), wt gloves (turf)
# 80 Dwight Stone 6-0 195 32 9 Mid. Tenn St. 252 5 blk fade (2) 3 bar, tc mouthpiece, wt wristbands, wt gloves, wt elbowpads (turf)
Tight Ends
1. 85 Wesley Walls 6-5 250 30 7 Ole Miss 106 8 brn crop style 3 helmet, 3 bar qb, eye paint, right rubber pad, wt wristbands, wt gloves, wt sleeves, rubber pads (turf)
2. 88 Walter Rasby 6-3 247 24 1 Wake Forest 219 11 blk buzz style 3 helmet, full cage, neck roll, wt wristbands, bk gloves, turf tape (turf)
3. n/a (switch position to WR)
Left Tackles
1. 78 Blake Brockermeyer 6-4 300 23 1 Texas 6 8 blk crop half cage, wt nasal strip, bk extended, wt wristbands, bk gloves
2. 66 Matthew Campbell 6-4 270 24 1 S. Carolina 72 18 brn crop half cage, wt wristbands, bk gloves, wt ankles taped
3. n/a (switch position to DT)
4. 74 Mark Dennis 6-6 288 31 9 Illinois 55 17 brn crop half cage, bk extended, wt wristbands, wt gloves
Left Guards
1. 52 Matt Elliott 6-3 295 28 3 Michigan 3 10 blo crop half cage, rubber pads, wt wristbands, wt gloves
2. n/a (switch position to C)
Centers
1. 65 Frank Garcia 6-1 295 24 1 Washington lt skin 51 9 l. brn crop full cage, wt wristbands, fingers taped, rubber pads (turf)
2. 64 Curtis Whitley 6-1 295 27 4 Clemson lt skin 73 12 blk crop half cage, dk visor, qb wristbands, rubber pads (turf)
# 63 Mark Rodenhauser 6-5 280 35 8 Illinois St. lt skin 57 3 brn crop
# 60 Bucky Greeley 6-2 285 25 R Penn State blk crop half cage, wt wristbands
Right Guards
1. 75 Greg Skrepenak 6-7 325 26 4 Michigan 77 14 brn crop full cage, wt wristbands, wt gloves
2. 67 Brandon Hayes 6-4 308 23 1 Central St.Ohio dk skin blk crop full cage, wt wristbands, wt gloves
Right Tackles
1. 76 Norberto Garrido 6-6 313 24 R USC full cage, wt wristbands, wt gloves
2. n/a (switch position to C)
Left Defensive Ends
1. 93 Mike Fox 6-8 295 29 6 West Virginia 107 14 brn crop full cage, tc mouthpiece, wt wristbands, wt gloves, wt sleeves, wt elbowpads (turf)
2. n/a (switch position to MLB)
3. 95 Mark Thomas 6-5 275 27 4 N.C. State 77 18 brn crop style 3 helmet, full cage, rubber pads, wt wristbands, wt gloves, wt sleeves
Right Defensive Ends
1. 98 Gerald Williams 6-3 290 33 10 Auburn 180 14 blk fade full cage, wt nasal strip, rubber pads, wt wristbands, wt gloves, wt sleeves
2. 96 Shawn King 6-3 278 24 1 UL Monroe 230 20 blk bald half cage, wt wristbands, bk gloves, wt gloves (turf)
Nose Tackles
1. 71 Greg Kragen 6-3 267 34 11 Utah State 49 8 blo crop style 3 helmet, half cage, neck roll, rubber pads, wt wristbands, wt gloves, wt sleeves
2. 69 Les Miller 6-7 285 31 8 N/A 55 16 brn long half cage, bk extended, bk gloves, wt sleeves, rubber pads (turf)
# 90 Tim Colston 6-0 275 23 R Kansas State dk skin blk bald
# 97 Tommy Jeter 6-5 282 27 3 Texas dk skin 230 7 blk flat top full cage, wt wristbands, wt gloves, rubber pads (turf)
Left Outside Linebackers
1. 91 Kevin Greene 6-3 247 34 11 Auburn 91 11 blo long style 3 helmet, full cage, wt wristbands, wt gloves
2. 50 Duane Bickett 6-5 251 34 11 USC 12 8 brn crop half cage, neck roll, right bk elbowpad, wt wristbands, bk gloves, wt sleeves
Inside Linebackers
1. 51 Sam Mills 5-9 232 37 10 N/A 23 11 blk bald half cage, wt nasal strip, wt elbowpads, wt wristbamds, bk gloves, wt sleeves
2. 54 Carlton Bailey 6-3 242 32 8 N. Carolina 71 14 blk fade (2) style 3 helmet, full cage, wt nasal strip, neck roll, wt wristbands, bk gloves, rubber pads (turf)
3. 53 Myron Baker 6-1 234 25 3 LA. Tech full cage, wt mouthpiece, bk elbowpads, wt wristbands
4. n/a (switch position to HB - use as Philyaw)
# 58 Andre Royal 6-2 238 24 1 Alabama dk skin 54 7 blk bald full cage, wt nasal strip, wt wristbands, wt gloves, wt sleeves, bk gloves (turf)
Right Outside Linebackers
1. 57 Lamar Lathon 6-3 260 28 6 Houston 8 13 blk bald full cage, eye paint, wt nasal strip, neck roll, qb wristbands, bk gloves, wt elbowpads (turf)
2. n/a (switch position to DT)
Cornerbacks
1. 25 Eric Davis 5-11 185 28 6 Jacksonv. St. 94 7 blk fade 3 bar rb, eye paint, wt wristbands, fingers taped, rubber pads (turf)
2. 38 Tyrone Poole 5-8 188 24 1 N/A 76 2 blk crop 2 bar rb, wt elbowbands, bk wristbands, bk gloves, wt sleeves, bk elbowbands (turf)
3. 41 Toi Cook 6-0 188 32 9 Stanford 71 4 blk flat top 3 bar, wt wristbands, bk gloves, wt sleeves
4. 31 Rod Smith 5-11 187 26 4 Notre Dame 61 5 blk buzz 3 bar rb, wt gloves, wt sleeves
5. 29 Steve Lofton 5-9 177 28 4 Texas A&M 225 3 blk flat top 2 bar rb, wt wristbands, wt gloves, wt sleeves
# 26 Emmanuel McDaniel 5-9 190 24 R E. Carolina dk skin 99 3 blk bald 2 bar rb, wt elbowbands, wt wristbands, tc rb gloves
Free Safeties
1. 40 Pat Terrell 6-2 210 28 6 Notre Dame 190 14 blk fade style 3 helmet, full cage, rubber pads, wt wristbands, wt gloves
2. 27 Damon Pieri 6-0 186 26 1 S.D. State 77 2 brn crop 3 bar rb, wt wristbnds, wt gloves
3. n/a (switch position to CB)
Strong Safeties
1. 39 Brett Maxie 6-2 210 34 11 Texas South. 152 6 blk fade full cage, eye paint, wt nasal strip, wt wristbands, bk gloves, wt elbowpads (turf)
2. 37 Chad Cota 6-1 195 25 1 Oregon 21 3 brn crop 3 bar rb, bk gloves, wt sleeves, rubber pads (turf)
Kicker
1. 4 John Kasay (lefty) 5-10 198 27 5 Georgia 74 2 l. brn crop style 2 helmet, 2 bar (thin), wt wristbands, bk shoes
Punter
1. 3 Rohn Stark (lefty) 6-3 203 37 14 Florida State 49 10 brn crop 2 bar, bk sleeves (grass), wt sleeves (turf)
Players Not Included
# 22 Marquette Smith HB 5-6 190 24 R C. Florida dk skin 2 bar rb, wt wristbands, bk gloves
# 89 Syii Tucker TE 6-4 236 23 R Miami dk skin blk fade
Player Ratings spd-str-awr-agi-acc-cth-car-jmp-btk-tkl-tpw-tac-pbk-rbk-kpw-kac-ret-stm-inj-tgh
K. Collins 23 50-66-74-51-58-23-33-48-48-13-96-85-18-30-20-20-0-90-84-77
Beuerlein 84 54-52-86-61-53-47-46-44-39-19-84-91-24-28-23-22-0-82-70-58
J. Barker 114 57-54-57-60-54-25-47-47-39-22-86-78-24-27-26-23-0-80-73-63
A. Johnson 89-72-80-89-93-74-86-57-72-27-37-31-43-45-27-24-10-78-84-69
Biakabutuka 29 86-58-55-89-93-66-79-76-82-19-36-22-35-36-29-36-20-77-53-74
W. Oliver 96-57-54-92-86-73-76-67-66-23-35-28-29-31-33-19-80-77-68-69
D. Philyaw 150 89-63-54-87-90-81-66-45-69-22-44-34-29-27-24-22-73-78-71-67
H. Griffith 165 71-69-85-75-69-69-92-58-60-27-39-24-59-62-33-24-30-80-77-75
S. Greene 59-73-54-71-75-66-70-59-82-23-30-23-61-53-26-23-10-79-73-72
M. Carrier 63 89-60-87-90-87-88-85-76-66-21-32-26-28-34-25-22-10-78-79-75
W. Green 184 87-56-81-87-85-84-74-79-64-22-28-25-26-28-29-20-10-84-82-76
M. Muhammad 21 6 90-59-57-87-90-85-64-86-60-12-19-15-32-45-27-30-25-88-71-81
R. Ismail 71 92-52-67-90-90-83-65-80-67-21-19-22-25-36-23-24-75-88-73-74
M. Bates 247 95-47-58-95-94-69-75-77-70-30-25-27-23-23-25-22-94-80-83-72
D. Stone 84 90-53-74-89-86-83-75-62-51-22-25-23-32-30-28-23-85-76-81-63
W. Walls 64 71-74-80-70-76-83-76-54-73-31-26-24-67-66-29-17-8-87-82-75
Rasby 235 68-73-59-67-72-68-65-47-64-35-19-23-59-63-29-22-8-77-76-67
Brockermeyer 8 53-87-66-51-73-16-30-44-29-26-26-22-87-90-33-29-0-69-80-72
M. Campbell 80 66-87-63-66-78-58-52-46-51-22-16-35-86-84-34-22-0-66-72-91
M. Dennis 78 55-84-83-53-71-46-42-46-27-28-35-22-77-81-27-22-0-63-84-82
M. Elliott 3 60-86-68-62-68-22-20-40-26-24-26-23-79-85-26-23-0-65-78-77
F. Garcia 49 46-89-63-43-64-24-21-37-32-26-32-22-82-86-36-15-0-53-57-91
C. Whitley 51-88-69-50-73-23-22-47-26-23-28-23-73-82-32-23-0-65-73-66
Rodenhauser 108 54-82-77-51-63-24-22-33-25-27-33-21-69-66-26-18-0-58-80-73
Greeley 53-86-47-49-66-21-20-45-27-24-29-19-73-80-30-23-0-66-78-71
Skrepenak 87 54-92-76-57-70-23-22-47-27-24-34-18-85-90-28-23-0-65-73-68
B. Hayes 59-86-51-58-68-27-25-53-28-25-27-22-74-78-26-23-0-66-77-76
Garrido 43 57-90-57-59-73-23-22-55-28-26-27-22-85-86-26-24-0-66-74-80
M. Fox 87 66-78-85-70-70-26-28-46-33-78-26-19-31-44-33-18-0-72-72-74
M. Thomas 99 68-74-65-66-67-22-23-45-28-78-27-23-25-28-26-23-0-76-77-78
G. Williams 39 63-88-89-61-63-17-19-54-26-85-31-20-26-38-30-22-0-73-72-84
S. King 319 65-76-61-75-62-29-27-60-28-84-26-23-23-30-27-19-0-76-73-67
Kragen 15 60-87-91-57-60-27-30-46-29-83-24-22-24-36-26-22-0-77-87-87
L. Miller 60 66-84-72-71-62-23-21-43-26-74-27-26-23-27-25-23-0-77-73-74
T. Colston 152 62-85-47-57-71-20-21-45-27-82-26-22-48-65-32-25-0-75-75-80
T. Jeter 41 67-82-61-63-65-24-22-53-28-75-25-22-26-29-28-24-0-77-72-76
K. Greene 55 82-81-95-80-87-37-42-59-27-82-27-23-25-45-31-24-0-79-87-89
Bickett 23 72-79-91-71-73-45-41-47-25-87-28-23-25-44-27-23-0-73-71-79
S. Mills 275 78-77-98-81-79-45-43-48-32-91-32-26-29-51-33-21-0-84-93-87
C. Bailey 195 74-75-84-75-73-43-42-52-28-87-27-24-25-46-29-23-0-80-95-87
M. Baker 72-74-65-73-73-39-36-54-28-87-24-23-27-52-27-20-0-76-78-82
A. Royal 24 80-73-62-78-80-35-41-54-28-84-26-21-23-44-29-23-0-79-84-74
Lathon 5 83-79-87-80-84-46-42-67-27-90-26-23-25-43-27-22-0-83-75-79
E. Davis 21 94-52-88-95-94-55-48-83-25-76-16-19-10-16-16-18-52-83-82-70
T. Poole 44 96-44-66-96-96-63-45-84-23-63-27-33-20-38-25-28-61-87-75-76
T. Cook 45 87-59-90-89-86-57-43-78-28-59-27-23-18-24-24-19-10-74-75-78
R. Smith 39 88-49-79-87-86-56-45-79-28-70-17-18-21-24-27-23-10-77-80-63
S. Lofton 256 91-49-62-92-87-51-47-84-28-62-23-22-20-23-22-21-10-77-70-67
E. McDaniel 269 92-47-51-92-88-62-54-91-23-55-30-30-24-16-22-31-42-72-67-61
P. Terrell 75 86-62-84-86-83-63-48-81-27-76-23-19-16-24-22-19-10-77-84-65
Pieri 81 85-49-57-89-82-62-44-72-28-66-27-23-22-32-28-22-10-77-78-76
B. Maxie 82-55-88-85-80-53-47-62-27-75-23-22-17-22-22-22-10-84-69-72
Cota 108 83-61-62-83-84-64-41-74-37-92-24-20-30-24-19-24-10-82-79-91
Kasay 84 58-40-77-58-59-30-21-46-19-12-24-19-20-18-94-88-0-80-73-37
R. Stark 107 48-46-95-46-47-53-46-45-20-22-52-42-16-23-88-85-0-54-86-53
Linebacker Sam Mills made yet another trip to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii after leading the Panthers with 122 tackles. He also registered 5 sacks, intercepted a pass, and recovered a fumble. He returned one of those fumbles for a touchdown.
Quarterback Kerry Collins blossomed in 1996 as he led the Panthers to the NFC Championship game after completed 56% of his passes for 2,454 yards and 14 TDs. His efforts earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl.
1996 Carolina Panthers Individual Leaders
Passing: Kerry Collins, 2454 yds., 56.0 comp. pct, 14 TDs, 79.4 rating
Rushing: Anthony Johnson, 1120 yds., 6 TDs, 3.7 yds./carry
Receiving: Wesley Walls, 61 rec., 713 yds., 10 TDs
Touchdowns: Wesley Walls, 10 (0 rush., 10 rec.)
QB Sacks: Kevin Greene, 14.5
Interceptions: Chad Cota & Eric Davis, 5
Scoring: Jon Kasay, 145 pts. (37 FG’s, 34 PAT’s)
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1996 NFC WEST STANDINGS
1st Place – Carolina (12-4)
2nd Place – San Francisco (12-4)
3rd Place – St. Louis (6-10)
4th Place – Atlanta (3-13)
5th Place – New Orleans (3-13)
Wide Receiver Mark Carrier makes a great over the shoulder catch in the Panthers' loss in Minnesota. He led the Panthers wideouts in receptions (58) and receiving yards (808) in 1996.
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