By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The Carolina Panthers beat the Rams 29-23 on Saturday on the first play of the second overtime in the NFC divisional playoffs.
Jake Delhomme hit Steve Smith on a 69-yard TD pass play to end what was just the fifth double-overtime playoff game in NFL history.
The victory sends the Panthers into next weekend's NFC championship game to play the Philadelphia Eagels, who beat Green Bay on Sunday.
The Panthers held St. Louis to just four field goals before the Rams forced overtime with eleven points in the final 2:39 of regulation.
Both teams missed chances to win in the first overtime as both the Panthers and Rams missed long field goals in OT. The eight combined field goals tied an NFL playoff record as Jeff Wilkins hit five for the Rams and John Kasay hit three for the Panthers.
Ricky Manning's interception for the Panthers set up Carolina's winning score. It was the first double overtime game since 1987. The loss ended the Rams' streak of 14 consecutive wins at the Edward Jones Dome. For Carolina, it was their first road playoff win in team history.