User:Kaurve/sandbox/2022 NFC Wild Card playoff game (Dallas–Carolina)

Carolina dominated the game, running up a 24-point lead and keeping the Cowboys scoreless until 5 seconds remained in the third quarter. The only downside for the Panthers was the performance of kicker Eddy Pineiro, who missed the extra point kick on their first four touchdowns. His four misses were an NFL postseason record.

The game started out sluggish as both teams failed to gain any net positive yardage on the first four drives. On the next possession, Carolina moved the ball 65 yards in 8 plays. D'Onta Foreman rushed 4 times for 25 yards, while quarterback Sam Darnold completed passes to Shi Smith and Terrace Marshall Jr. for gains of 15 and 18 yards before connecting with tight end Ian Thomas in the end zone for a 22-yard score. Dallas took the ball back and drove to a 2nd and goal on the Panthers 5-yard line. But on the first play of the second quarter, Dak Prescott's pass was intercepted in the end zone by safety Xavier Woods.

After the turnover, Carolina drove 90 yards in 16 plays, the longest a 34-yard completion from Darnold to tight end Tommy Tremble. Darnold finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run on 4th and goal, increasing their lead to 12–0. Following a punt, Darnold completed 8/8 passes for 83 yards, including three to Ian Thomas for gains of 20, 6, and an 11-yard touchdown pass, putting the team up 18–0 with 34 seconds left in the half.

Carolina scored again on their first drive of the third quarter. Darnold completed a 26-yard pass to Thomas on the first play, and later picked up another 26 yards on a pass to D. J. Moore, while Foreman rushed four times for 30 yards. Darnold finished it off with a 2-yard touchdown toss to Shi Smith for a 24–0 lead. Later in the period, Johnny Hekker's 42-yard punt pinned the Cowboys back on their own 5-yard line. But this time they managed to score, with Prescott completing 7/8 passes for 92 yards, the last a 30-yard touchdown to T. Y. Hilton that made the score 24–6 after a failed 2-point attempt.

Raheem Blackshear returned the ensuing kickoff 35 yards to the 32-yard line. From there, Carolina drove 68 yards in 11 plays, with Darnold completing four passes for double-digit gains, the last an 18-yard touchdown completion to Smith that made the score 31–6 and put the game out of reach. All Dallas could do with the time remaining was convert KaVontae Turpin's 14-yard punt return into a 52-yard drive to score the final points on Prescott's 8-yard touchdown completion to Jake Ferguson and subsequent 2-point conversion pass to CeeDee Lamb.

Darnold completed 25/33 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing 7 times for 24 yards and another score. Thomas was his top receiver with 7 receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns, while Foreman rushed for 77 yards and caught 3 passes for 12. Prescott finished the day 35 of 66, for 351 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Noah Brown was the Cowboys leading receiver with 10 receptions for 85 yards, while Hilton had 7 for 74 and a touchdown. Turpin returned 3 kickoffs for 58 yards and 3 punts for 34.