Quarterback Cam Newton's two touchdown passes and a stellar effort from the Carolina defence lifted the Panthers to a 27-16 NFL playoff victory over Arizona on Saturday.
In the first game of the post-season, the Panthers advanced in the National Football Conference, dashing the Cardinals' hopes of reaching the February 1 Super Bowl in their home stadium.
In American Football Conference action, the Baltimore Ravens, who just sneaked into the playoffs, marched into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers 30-17.
Although both teams put up club-record numbers in points and yardage this season, Saturday's game was a classic Ravens-Steelers clash, with defence playing a pivotal role.
Baltimore sacked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger five times and forced two interceptions in the fourth quarter.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes, including one to Crockett Gillmore that gave the Ravens a 30-15 lead with less than eight minutes to play.
The Ravens will have to win on the road again next week to advance, when they travel to New England to take on the Patriots in the second round.
The Denver Broncos, who like the Pats enjoyed a first-round bye, will face the winners of Sunday's game between Cincinnati and Indianapolis.
In the NFC, the Panthers must wait for the outcome of Sunday's first-round game between Detroit and Dallas to confirm their next opponent.
Reigning Super Bowl champions Seattle and Green Bay await this weekend's NFC winners.
Newton connected on touchdown passes with Fozzy Whittaker and Mike Tolbert in the third quarter as the Panthers erased a 14-13 halftime deficit.
Carolina's defence made sure the lead held up, limiting the injury-depleted Arizona offence to 12 yards and two first downs in the second half.
With third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley at the helm, the Cardinals notched a mere 78 net yards for the game - the fewest by one team in a playoff game in NFL history.
Both of Arizona's touchdowns came on short drives in the wake of Carolina turnovers.
Lindley threw a touchdown pass to Darren Fells in the second quarter, but was intercepted twice and finished with just 82 yards.
