The Carolina Panthers jumped into each other’s arms, mugged for the cameras and planned a trip to Texas.
Donovan McNabb gingerly walked off the other side of the field, protected his injured ribs and prepared for his trip to the history books.
It’s not the trip he had planned on.
The Panthers played a methodical, efficient game and shut down McNabb and the Philadelphia offense to win Sunday’s NFC championship game 14-3 before a stunned full house at Lincoln Financial Field.
It was the Eagles’ third straight loss in the NFC title game. They became the first team in the Super Bowl era to lose two conference championship games in a row at home.
The Panthers are early 6 1/2-point underdogs to New England in the Feb. 1 Super Bowl in Houston. But after what they’ve overcome, they certainly don’t much care.
Two years ago they were 1-15. Last year they climbed to 7-9. Now they’ll play for the NFL title for the first time in their nine years of existence.
And they did it with adept use of free agents. Quarterback Jake Delhomme, who wasn’t going to beat out Aaron Brooks in New Orleans, became a free agent and signed with the Panthers. He completed 9-of-14 for 101 yards and one touchdown against the Eagles.
Running back Stephen Davis, unwanted by Washington, shook off a strained left quadriceps and carried 19 times for 76 yards.
Carolina’s defense proved overwhelming against the Eagles. The Panthers recorded five sacks, four in the first half. And cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. had three of their four interceptions.
“Our guys played outstanding,” Carolina coach John Fox said.
McNabb completed only 10-of-22 for 100 yards before leaving with the rib injury. He was first injured in the second quarter but stayed in the game. But after taking a hit from safety Jarrod Cooper at the end of the third quarter, he was done. Coach Andy Reid said McNabb had separated rib cartilage.
Koy Detmer, who had not played when it mattered all season, moved the Eagles to the Carolina 18 but was intercepted by linebacker Dan Morgan with 5 minutes 22 seconds to play, ending the Eagles’ last, best chance.
While the Eagles couldn’t take advantage of their opportunities, the Panthers capitalized on the few they had.
Facing third-and-2 at the Eagles’ 39, Delhomme found Muhsin Muhammad for 15 yards. On the next play, Delhomme lobbed an underthrown ball into the end zone, and Muhammad came back to make the catch for a 7-0 lead. It wasn’t the best pass Delhomme has ever thrown.
“I could have given Moose a [better] chance,” Delhomme said. “He made a great play. He deserves all the credit.”
“We were in an all-out blitz,” Eagles cornerback Bobby Taylor said. “I slipped. No excuses. He was my man.”
The Eagles cut their deficit to 7-3 with 2:56 left in the first half when David Akers drilled a 41-yard field goal. But it was a costly, eventful drive for the Eagles.
McNabb suffered his rib injury when he was sacked by Michael Rucker, and linebacker Greg Favors landed on him late but did not draw a penalty.
“That’s where it was hurt,” McNabb said. “After that, it was nagging when I got hit.”
Said Reid: “The officials said he had tripped over one of our guys, so he was not down [when he was hit the second time]. Donovan would stay in the game until he passed out. I wasn’t going to go there. I wasn’t going to put him at risk.”
Detmer replaced him for one play, hitting Duce Staley for a 3-yard loss and leaving the Eagles with third-and-20 from the Carolina 33.
McNabb re-entered the game and threw over the middle to Freddie Mitchell. Officials initially ruled an incomplete pass, but the Eagles asked for a replay review, and it was ruled a complete pass. The 10-yard gain moved the Eagles back into field-goal range, and Akers kicked his only field goal.
After that, Manning went to work. He ended three of the next four Philadelphia possessions with interceptions.
Manning returned his last one 13 yards to the Eagles’ 37 with 6:18 left in the third quarter. After DeShaun Foster carried for 8 and 9 yards, running back Rod Smart gained 5 more. Then Lito Sheppard was called for interfering with Steve Smith in the end zone, giving the Panthers a first down at the 1.
Manning was the only rookie to start the game.
“He’s extremely tough mentally,” Fox said. “We’re just very proud of him.”
Then Foster went around right end, broke through four Eagles and dived into the end zone for the game’s final score.
“He didn’t quit,” Delhomme said. “I think that sums up our team.”
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Super Bowl matchup
New England (14-2, 2-0 playoffs) vs. Carolina (11-5, 3-0 playoffs)
Date: Sunday, Feb. 1
TV: 5:25 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
Site: Reliant Stadium, Houston
Glantz-Culver line: Patriots by 6 1/2
Home team: Patriots
Key number: 22. The difference in turnover differential between the Patriots (plus-17) and Panthers (minus-5).
