St. Louis, MO -- Steve Smith's 69-yard touchdown reception on the first play of the second overtime gave the Carolina Panthers a 29-23 victory over the St. Louis Rams in a thrilling NFC divisional playoff game.

In a contest that featured a playoff record-tying number of field goals and a pair of missed attempts in the first overtime, it was Smith's speed on the first play of the second extra period that helped the Panthers win consecutive post-season games for the first time in franchise history.

"I'm as proud as could be," said Carolina head coach John Fox.

Conventional wisdom would have dictated a victory for the Rams, who had won 14 straight overall and five straight playoff games at home. But their vaunted indoor offense was an apparition in the normally friendly confines of the Edward Jones Dome.

That was until 11 unanswered St. Louis points in the final three minutes of regulation sent the game into overtime.

Then came John Kasay's 45-yard miss in overtime after his first attempt had sailed through and was negated by a delay of game penalty. The Rams had a chance to win it at the other end, but Jeff Wilkins came up short on a 53-yard attempt.

The Panthers, who beat Dallas convincingly in the wild card round last weekend, will now await the outcome of Sunday's Packers-Eagles game in Philadelphia.

If the Eagles win, Carolina will visit Philadelphia next week. If Green Bay triumphs on the road, the Panthers will host their second playoff game at home next week with an opportunity to avenge their 1996 loss in the NFC Championship game at Green Bay.

Meanwhile, the Rams finished an ultimately disappointing season with a pair of consecutive painful losses after falling to Detroit in Week 17. They became just the third NFC team (Bears 2001, 49ers 1995) to lose a divisional round game at home since the playoffs expanded to 12 teams in 1990.

But they didn't go away without a fight.

The Panthers were the dominant offense all day, pounding the St. Louis defense for more yards on the ground in regulation than any other team had this season.

Brad Hoover's seven-yard TD run with 8:50 remaining in the fourth quarter gave the Panthers a 23-12 lead, but Kasay missed a 53-yard attempt set up by Deon Grant's interception of Rams quarterback Marc Bulger.

That left the door open for a St. Louis comeback.

Marshall Faulk's one-yard touchdown run with 2:39 remaining, and the ensuing two-point conversion, pulled the Rams within 23-20.

Then a rarity.

Wilkins recovered his own onsides kick after a high bounce in the midst of a gaggle of players, and turned it into a 33-yard field goal to tie the game as time ran out.

The Rams actually had 37 seconds to go for the win, but head coach Mike Martz opted for the tie and ran the clock down to just three seconds before Wilkins came on for the tying kick.

"I felt like if we could get it into overtime, we would win this game," Martz said. "I was very sure about the decision and don't regret the decision. We just didn't get it done."

Then, on the first possession of the initial overtime, Carolina converted a pair of 3rd-and-long chances to set up Kasay for a 39-yard attempt, which he drilled down the middle.

But there was a delay of game penalty, and Kasay missed wide-right on a 45- yard try. No matter, though, as Wilkins was short at the other end.

The Panthers were forced to punt on the ensuing possession, but got the ball back when Ricky Manning Jr. intercepted Bulger at the Carolina 35.

That set up the game-winner to Smith, who split a zone defense with a deep slant pattern and beat Jason Sehorn to end the fifth-longest game ever, and just the fifth double-OT game in history.

"I just beat the safety," said Smith. "[Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme] threw one of those pretty balls in the last minute, like he always does."

Delhomme threw for 290 yards on 16-of-26 passing with an interception and the touchdown toss to win it.

"We just believe we can get it done in some kind of way," Delhomme said. "I think the biggest thing is we stayed calm. Our guys don't take a deep breath and hope."

Bulger was 27-of-46 for 332 yards, but threw three interceptions in his first loss ever (13-1) as a starter in the Edward Jones Dome.

"It's the toughest loss of my career," said Bulger. "I still can't believe we lost that game now."

Wilkins made five of his six attempts on the day, tying a playoff record for most field goals in a game. Kasay, who kicked five field goals in last week's victory over Dallas, added a 3-of-5 performance to combine with his counterpart for another playoff record-tying total of eight field goals.

St. Louis had a 6-0 lead early in the game after a pair of field goals from Wilkins. The first kick, a 20-yard boot, was set up by a nice 81-yard drive. The second, a 26-yarder early in the second quarter, followed linebacker Tommy Polley's juggling, 37-yard interception return to the Carolina 22.

But both times the Panthers were able to stall the Rams and keep them from the end zone. Carolina then capitalized on that momentum, and a little luck, to take a 7-6 lead on the ensuing possession.

Stephen Davis broke loose for a 64-yard gain on first down, and then limped off the field after taking the Panthers to the St. Louis four. He would return to the sideline, but not before a botched lateral by Delhomme led to a touchdown and 7-6 lead.

Rams defensive end Leonard Little deflected the attempt, and the ball bounced toward the goal line where Muhsin Muhammad fell on it for the TD at 11:22 of the second quarter.

Wilkins and Kasay then exchanged field goals in the final seven minutes, and the Panthers carried a 10-9 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Wilkins ended the second half's first possession with a 51-yard field goal to give the Rams a brief 12-10 lead, but Kasay responded with a 52-yarder at the other end to restore Carolina's lead.

Kasay added a 34-yard boot with 43 seconds remaining in the third quarter to make it a 16-12 game.

St. Louis hadn't lost a game at home since a September 29, 2002 setback to Dallas. It was the Rams' first home playoff loss since moving to St. Louis. For the first time this season, the Rams failed to score at least 27 points on their home turf. The Rams are 18-23 all-time in post-season play.

Carolina picked up its first-ever playoff road win in franchise history. Davis ended with 86 yards on just six carries. His status for next week is up in the air. Smith ended with 163 yards on six catches.

Faulk rushed for 53 yards on 19 carries and caught nine passes for 78 yards. Isaac Bruce led the Rams with 116 yards receiving on seven grabs.