Carolina Panthers Superbowl-bound after crushing victory over Arizona Cardinals

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Carolina Panthers beat Arizona Cardinals 49-15 in NFC Championship
Cam Newton threw for two touchdowns and ran for two others
Panthers will face Denver Broncos at Superbowl 50

Published: 22:49 EST, 24 January 2016 | Updated: 01:16 EST, 25 January 2016

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The Carolina Panthers are heading to the Super Bowl after routing the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game on Sunday in Charlotte.

The Panthers led the entire game and easily squashed an attempted Arizona fourth quarter comeback with two scores to boost the final score to 49-15 — the most ever scored in an NFC Championship game since the Super Bowl began.

The Panthers managed to intercept the Cardinals twice in the fourth quarter — including one by Luke Kuechly who ran it back for 21-yard 'pick six.'

Carolina Panthers players celebrate following their stunning 49-15 victory over Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman soaks up the atmosphere as his side reach Superbowl 50

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera celebrates with Jonathan Stewart after Sunday's emphatic victory

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly crosses over the line to score a touchdown in the 49-15 victory

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (left) hands off Ed Stinson during the win over Cardinals on Sunday

Cam Newton threw for two touchdowns and ran for two others, and Carolina's big-play defence stifled Arizona's top-ranked offence.

The NFL's new top man at quarterback – Newton is an All-Pro this season – will lead the Panthers against five-time MVP Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl in two weeks.

It will be the first Super Bowl for Newton and the second trip to the big game for the Panthers (17-1), who lost to New England 12 years ago. Denver, of course, has made a habit of going to Super Bowls, reaching it for a record-tying eighth time.

Carolina's D was destructive. It forced six turnovers by Carson Palmer – special teams got one – as the Cardinals (13-4) allowed their most points this season.