| 1996 Carolina Panthers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jerry Richardson |
| General manager | Bill Polian |
| Head coach | Dom Capers |
| Home field | Ericsson Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 12–4 |
| Division place | 1st NFC West |
| Playoff finish | Won Divisional Playoffs (vs. Cowboys) 26–17 Lost NFC Championship (at Packers) 13–30 |
| Pro Bowlers | TE Wesley Walls QB Kerry Collins WR Michael Bates LB Sam Mills LB Kevin Greene LB Lamar Lathon CB Eric Davis K John Kasay |
| AP All-Pros | MLB Sam Mills 1st team OLB Kevin Greene 1st team OLB Lamar Lathon 1st & 2nd team KR Michael Bates 1st team TE Wesley Walls 2nd team K John Kasay 2nd team |
The 1996 Carolina Panthers season was the franchise's second season in the National Football League, the second under head coach Dom Capers, and the first at Ericsson Stadium. They improved upon their 7–9 record in 1995, and made it to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
The Panthers would prove a huge surprise in winning their last seven games of the season[1] to finish with a 12–4 record. The result was that the Panthers won the NFC West, and had a first round bye in the 1996 NFL Playoffs. The Panthers would then beat the Dallas Cowboys 26–17 before falling 30–13 to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship.
The Panthers did not return to the playoffs until 2003, when they would make their first Super Bowl but lost to the New England Patriots.