text: Their next opponent was the Chicago Bears, home to the nation's third largest television market. The Panthers defeated them at Soldier Field with a final score of 29–21. With that victory, the Panthers advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the third time in the franchise's 11-year history. However, during the Chicago game Foster suffered a crushing ankle injury that would keep him indefinitely sidelined. Also, star defensive end Julius Peppers re-injured an ailing shoulder. The next weekend they played against the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC Championship, but injuries and playing on the road for the fourth straight week caught up with the Panthers and they came up short, losing 34–14.
  2006 season
  In the 2006 NFL draft, the Panthers drafted running back Deangelo Williams in the first round. Coming off a playoff season and with new acquisition Keyshawn Johnson, the Panthers sold out Bank of America Stadium 15 minutes after tickets went on sale. An early injury to Smith led to a two-game losing streak, but his return coincided with a four-game winning run. However, Delhomme was injured soon after and was lost for three games. In the end, the team finished 8–8 and missed the playoffs. Following the season, offensive coordinator Dan Henning was fired and Johnson retired, becoming an NFL analyst for ESPN for several years.