Panthers Set Post-Merger Record for Points in NFC Championship Game

The Carolina Panthers scored 49 points in Sunday's drubbing of the Arizona Cardinals, setting a new record for the most points scored in an NFC Championship Game, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Carolina jumped out to a 17-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, with the early heroics highlighted by the longest reception in franchise playoff history, an 86-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cam Newton to wide receiver Corey Brown.

Boasting a 24-7 lead at the half and 34-7 advantage by the end of the third quarter, Carolina was well positioned to match the previous record of 41 points held jointly by the 1991 Washington Redskins and 2000 New York Giants.

Newton then connected with rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess for a five-yard touchdown pass with just five minutes and 26 seconds remaining in the contest, giving the Panthers an insurmountable 40-15 lead.

Even with the game out of reach, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera opted to try for the two-point conversion, which was successfully converted on a pass from Newton to running back Mike Tolbert.

After breaking the record, Carolina added another six points on the game's next snap courtesy of a pick-six from star linebacker Luke Kuechly. Rivera settled for an extra point this time around, as Kuechly's interception removed any distant thought of a miraculous Arizona comeback.

Per ESPN Stats & Info, the 1990 Bills set the record for most points in an AFC Championship Game, defeating the Los Angeles Raiders by a score of 51-3 in one of the most lopsided contests in NFL playoff history.