The Carolina Panthers are heading to the NFC Championship game for the fourth time in franchise history.
The Panthers opened up an early 31-0 lead at home against Seattle yesterday. Carolina didn't score in the second half, but that didn't matter. They advance in the NFL playoffs with a 31-24 win.
Head Coach Ron Rivera had mixed feelings about the victory.
"We didn't play as well as I thought we needed to in the second half. We did things we were supposed to do, and won the football game. That's the bottom line."
The Panthers have played in three previous NFC Championship games, beating Philadelphia in 2003; losing to Green Bay in 1997 and Seattle in 2005.
Carolina welcomes Arizona to Charlotte next Sunday with a trip to Super Bowl 50 on the line.
But Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton hasn't caught Super Bowl fever.
"We're not worried about the Super Bowl. That's irrelevant," says Newton. "Right now, we're focused on the Arizona Cardinals."
The Panthers actually beat Arizona in the playoffs last season, although the Cardinals were without their starting quarterback. Carolina won the NFC title game in 2003, and came up short in 1997 and 2005. Kick off next weekend is at 6:40 p.m.
