The Carolina Panthers have given me a lot of unforgettable moments over the years. Plays or games that remain indelibly branded where you remember these sorts of things. I can recall Jake Delhomme's back endzone throw against the Jaguars in 2003, X-clown or Cam Newton's first touchdown like they were yesterday -- but for all that nostalgia I can't really tell you about an unforgettable moment caused by Bank of America stadium. Until yesterday.

I don't know why, or how things shifted -- but they did. A cold, rainy afternoon in Charlotte should have given way to a disappointing ho-hum crowd, even in a playoff game; at least that's what BoA taught us in the past. When the stands were half-full 30 minutes before kickoff I was a little disheartened, sure that Panthers fans would make the area look bad on national TV.

Then things changed. Watching the flag unfurl for the national anthem I looked to the stands and saw the crowd start to swell. Thousands hidden under the concourse seeking shelter from the rain decided they weren't going to miss a second of the Panthers' chance at playoff redemption. BoA was rocking when the ball was placed on the tee, so began a wholly miraculous afternoon.

Perhaps it was the rain-drenched seats or the fear of water-soaked pants, but nobody in our section sat -- not for a second. Instead every defensive stand was met with riotous applause and screaming, white towels filling the air. When it came time for the Panthers to drive a pall fell over the stadium; fans were starting to get it.

Some of the mayhem was alcohol-fueled, but there was a universal appreciation for what was happening. Fans around me correctly debated the ruling behind Cam Newton's touchdown, and there was just one lone voice a few rows behind me that said Derek Anderson should take over.

When Melvin White ejected the ball from Ted Ginn's grip I couldn't hear myself think. The stadium was absolutely losing it around me. It didn't matter that the Cardinals were objectively terrible and the Panthers did their darnedest to give them the ballgame, that moment was proof a few guys would put the team on their back.

Fozzy Whittaker's touchdown, Luke Kuechly's interception -- each was met with a louder or more passionate round of screaming. My hoarse voice did its best to keep up.

There were still a segment of fans who left early to beat the traffic, others who made a beeline before Cam's victory lap, but for the first time a house felt like a home. It was wonderful, surprising and beautiful all rolled into one. I don't know if BoA will host another playoff game this year, but if it happens then you need to find a way to be there.